Discussion on the Meaning and Origin of the Names for the Twelve Star Orders in China

In the ancient China zodiacal constellations were divided into 12 parts named as the "twelve star orders" which correspond to the zodiacal signs in the west.The concept of twelve star orders was put forward just for the determination of the solar positions in the sky during each month.The meaning and the origin of the twelve star orders were based on the twenty-eight(ancient-Chinese)lunar mansions corresponding to four imagined divine creatures, which further symbolize the nations at the "four corners"(i.e.for "all directions from center")in the ancient China.The twelve star orders were named after (1)ancient celebrities, such as Xuanxiao, Shishen, and Yubo(hidded implied in the name of Scorpius a), (2)ancient nations and seigneurs, such as Juzi, Ximu, and Daliang, and (3)bird totems of nations in the ancient South China.