Overview
Key data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Author | Li Bo, Sui dynasty |
| Annotator | Miao Wei, Tang dynasty |
| Genre | Rhapsody (fu) |
| Contents | The positions and forms of the star-officials of the whole sky, in verse |
Genre and use
The rhapsody sets out the star-officials in verse, turning their positions, forms and numbers into rhythmic language for memorization.
Miao Wei of the Tang annotated it, explaining each star-official’s name and location line by line; the annotation is fuller than the rhapsody itself.
Compared with the Bu Tian Ge
Like the Bu Tian Ge it is a book of star-officials for memorization, but in a different genre:
the Bu Tian Ge uses seven-character verses, this work the rhapsody form.
The two can be read together — one easy to recite, one easy to set out at length.
Value
Rhapsodies were generally taken for literary works, but the Tianwen Daxiang Fu is in fact a general register of the star-officials.
Miao Wei’s annotation is of practical value, and an important basis for studying the ancient names of the star-officials.
Compiled and arranged by Chujia Kuang.