Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society (천문학논총)

The Korean Astronomical Society (한국천문학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A STUDY OF THE CONSTELLATION MAPS IN THE FLAGS OF BARRACKS IN GANGJIN

강진 병영 영기(令旗)에 그려진 별자리 연구

  • YANG, H.J. (Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute)
  • 양홍진 (한국천문연구원 이론천문연구센터)
  • Received : 2016.11.11
  • Accepted : 2016.12.05
  • Published : 2016.12.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

We study a manuscript that includes 28 oriental constellations in the flags of barracks in Gangjin. According to the Joseon Chronicles, the constellation flags in the manuscript are thought to have originated from Seon-Pil Kim (金善弼) who first made 28 constellation flags for the barracks in 1878 during the Joseon Dynasty. Seon-Pil Kim was a commander and he used the 28 constellation flags for communications in a military camp. The flags also contain 28 animals and letter-like symbols with constellation maps. We examine the constellation maps in flags in terms of shapes and number of stars, and compare them with those of constellations in the Korean and Chinese star charts such as CheonSangYeolChaBunYaJiDo (天象列次分野之圖), Joseon-Butienge (朝鮮步天歌), Suzhou (蘇州) Star Chart, and Tang-Butiange (唐步天歌). Finally, we found that the shape of constellations in the flags might be similar to those in the Chinese Tang-Butienge. We also found several errors such as the shape, connecting pattern, and number of constellations drawn in the flags. It seems that the constellation flags were unofficially used in military camps in the late Joseon dynasty. Meanwhile, the 28 constellations are divided into four groups and each group has its own color and direction. We suppose that the constellation flags might represent the positions of military camps and each group of flags has their own color based on their cardinal points.

Keywords

References

  1. AKS, 2016, The Database of Korean Historical person, Homepage of the Academy of Korean Studies
  2. Choi, G., Yang, H. J., & Ahn, Y. S., 2010, A Study on the Stone Star Chart in Korean and Chinese, Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society, 19, 42
  3. Doopedia, 2010, Dusan Encyclopedia-Searching for the Yeonggi (令旗)
  4. Goguryeo Exhibition Committee, 2002, Special Exhibition-Goguryeo, Goguryeo Exhibition Committee, pp.104-107
  5. Ilseongrok (日省錄), 1760-1910, Gyujanggak of the Joseon Dynasty
  6. National Folk Museum, 2004, Astronomy (天文), Siweol, Seoul
  7. Pan, N., 2009, A Compilation Book of Chinese Ancient Star Map (中國古天文圖錄), Shanghai Education of Science and Technology press, p.5
  8. Park, C., 1998, Analysis of the Star Map in Chon-Sang-Yol-Cha-Bun-Ya-Ji-Do, Journal of the Korean History of Science Society, 20, 113
  9. Park, C. & Yang, H. J., 2009, Identification of Constellations in Goguryeo Mural Paintings, Journal of the Korean History of Science Society, 31, 1
  10. Qin, D., 1894, Liushutong (六書通), Bowenguan (博文館)
  11. Sejongsillok (世宗實錄), 1418-1450, The Joseon Dynasty
  12. Seongjeongwonilgi (承政院日記), 1623-1910, Seongjeongwon of the Joseon Dynasty
  13. Shi, Y. L., 1998, A Study on the Joseon (朝鮮) Butienge (步天歌), Exploration of Nature, 19, 69
  14. Xu, S. & Xu, C., 121, Xhouwenjiezi (說文解字)
  15. Yang, H. J., 2014, Digital CheonSangYeolChaBunYaJiDo, Kyungpook National Univ. press, Daegu
  16. Yang, H. J., 2013, Traditional Star Charts in China and Korea, PKAS, 28, 37
  17. Yang, H. J., 2010, A Study of the Constellation Maps in Mt. Taebaek's Harvest Ceremony Flags, PKAS, 25, 101
  18. Yang, H. J. & Park, M. G., 2003, A Study of Sasin-Animal Sky Map on Cheonmunryucho, JASS, 20, 83
  19. Yi, S. T., 1996, Wansuixingxiang (萬歲星象), The second Science and Technology Symposium on the minority races in China, Science and literature Social press