古代 中國의 28宿와 12次이론의 起源 ― 東洋 古典에 보이는 사례분석을 중심으로

Abstract

This study investigated the origins of the Twenty-eight Mansions and the Twelve Equal Divisions, which are the astronomical viewpoint centering on the Zodiac, and the inseparable relationships between the two theories with a focus on the analysis of the cases appeared in the Oriental Classics. Regardless of Western or Eastern culture, humans have continuously exerted their efforts to study astronomy in order to establish the calendar that was closely related to their livings from ancient times. Furthermore, this was also used as for astrological purpose to judge the security of the nation and the emperor, as well as a war and the year of good or bad harvest. The ancient China had two types of astronomies: its own unique astronomy that centered around the North Star and the Big Dipper, and the astronomy, which was similar to the ancient Western astrology that centered on the equator and the zodiac. The astronomical viewpoints in relation to the Twenty-eight Mansions are found all over the countries; not only in the ancient India, China, and Japan, but also in the ancient Egypt, Arabic countries etc. There are many different opinions on its origins, the suggestions advanced as to the origin of the Twenty-eight Mansions that it was originated from Babylonia is most convincing. It seems that the theory was transmitted into the ancient China through the present Sichuan province, which was one of vigorous interchanges between the countries bordering on Western China, via India. The time of influx of such theories come before the period that literally “Master Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals (呂氏春秋)” was written, where almost the whole records of the Twenty-eight Mansions are discovered. It is estimated to be around 450 BC when “Altair (牽牛初度) is the Winter Solstice.” was recorded under the title of 「Treatise on Almanac (律曆志)」in the History Book of West Han (漢書) which is a little ahead of around 433 BC that is believed to be the period when “The Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng” (曾侯乙墓) had been constructed where the artifacts, in which Azure Dragon and White Tiger and the entire system of the Twenty-eight Mansions were depicted. By interpreting historical and archeological evidence that a broad range of the cultural exchange between the East and the West had been carried out since 1900 BC, it can be said that there were good chances to import the western astronomy far earlier than the era of the West Han (西漢) when Jang Geon (張騫) had explored the silk road. Together with the theory of the Twenty-eight Mansions, the 12 constellations of the Zodiac that was introduced in China was accepted as the theory of the Twelve Equal Divisions. The most names of the Twelve Equal Divisions including Seonggi (星紀), Hyeonhyo (玄枵), Chwuja (娵貲), Kangru (降婁) etc. are similar to the 12 Constellations of Zodiac, or signify the constellations in the same spot in the sky. Also, the above titles of the Twelve Equal Divisions of Zodiac denote the specific constellation in the same spot as in the 12 Constellations of the Zodiac, and the method of emblemizing the Twelve Equal Divisions in terms of the Twelve Earthly Branches (地支), e.g. Chukcha (丑次), Jacha (子次), Haecha (亥次), Sulcha (戌次) etc., means an identical degree of the celestial sphere which has been divided into 30 degree equally centering on the same spot. It is considered that these theories had achieved rapid dissemination, and significant progress due to the efforts of Chu Yeon (鄒衍) and others in the Jixia Academy (稷下學宮) between the end of the 4th Century BC and the early of the 3rd Century BC.