1
志第十八五行六
Treatise 18: The Five Phases, Part Six.
2
日蚀日抱日赤无光日黄珥日中黑虹贯日月蚀非其月
Solar eclipse; the haloed sun; the sun dimmed to a dull red; yellow prominences on the solar disk; a dark spot on the face of the sun; a rainbow across the sun; a lunar eclipse out of season.
3
光武帝建武二年正月甲子朔，日有蚀之，在危八度。 《日蚀说》曰：「日者，太阳之精，人君之象。 君道有亏，有阴所乘，故蚀。 蚀者，阳不克也。」 其候杂说，《汉书·五行志》著之必矣。 儒说诸侯专权，则其应多在日所宿之国。 诸象附从，则多为王者事。 人君改修其德，则咎害除。 是时，世祖初兴，天下贼乱未除。 虚、危，齐也。 贼张步拥兵据齐，上遣伏隆谕步，许降。 旋复叛称王，至五年中乃破。 三年五月乙卯晦，日有蚀之，在柳十四度。 柳，河南也。 时，世祖在雒阳，赤眉降贼樊崇谋作乱，其七月发觉，皆伏诛。 六年九月丙寅晦，日有蚀之。 史官不见，郡以闻。 在尾八度。 七年三月癸亥晦，日有蚀之，在毕五度。 毕为边兵。 秋，隗嚣反，侵安定。 冬，卢芳所置朔方、云中太守各举郡降。
On the new moon, jiazi, in the first month of Jianwu 2 (26 CE), a solar eclipse occurred at eight degrees within the lodge Wei. The Treatise on Solar Eclipses reads: "The sun embodies supreme yang; it is the emblem of the sovereign. When the ruler's conduct falls short, yin force overtakes the sun, and an eclipse follows. An eclipse means yang has lost its ascendancy." The assorted prognostic glosses are set out at length in the Han shu Treatise on the Five Phases. Scholars hold that when regional lords seize unchecked power, the omen usually falls on the state whose celestial lodge the sun occupies. When secondary portents cluster with the eclipse, they tend to concern the throne itself. If the ruler mends his ways and cultivates virtue, the ill omen and its harm may be dispelled. Guangwu had only just restored the dynasty; rebels still roamed the empire. The lodges Xu and Wei correspond to the old territory of Qi. The warlord Zhang Bu held Qi with an army; the emperor sent Fu Long to negotiate and accepted his offer to submit. He soon rebelled again, proclaimed himself king, and was not crushed until mid–Jianwu 5. At month's end on yimao in the fifth month of Jianwu 3 (27), the sun was eclipsed at fourteen degrees in Liu. Liu maps to the Henan region south of the Yellow River. The emperor was at Luoyang when Fan Chong of the surrendered Red Eyebrows plotted a coup; the plot surfaced in the seventh month and the conspirators were put to death. At month's end on bingyin in the ninth month of Jianwu 6 (30), a solar eclipse occurred. Court astronomers missed it; word came in from a commandery. The sun stood at eight degrees in Wei. At month's end on guihai in the third month of Jianwu 7 (31), an eclipse fell at five degrees in Bi. Bi presages warfare on the frontier. That autumn Wei Xiao rose in revolt and struck into Anding. In winter the puppet governors of Shuofang and Yunzhong whom Lu Fang had appointed surrendered their commands.
4
At month's end on xinchou in the third month of Jianwu 16 (40), the sun was eclipsed at seven degrees in Mao. Mao governs prisons and penal cases. Several commandery governors had falsified their land surveys; Guangwu flew into a rage and executed more than a dozen, then bitterly repented. At month's end on yiwei in the second month of Jianwu 17 (41), an eclipse occurred at nine degrees in Wei. Wei signifies the state granaries. Commanderies had just been fined for tax irregularities; the realm was anxious and talk ran to grain shortages—hence Heaven mirrored the distress in the sky. Others read Wei as the palace department that supplies the court. That tenth month Empress Guo was cast aside with an edict declaring her unfit to "maintain the ancestral sacrifices."
5
二十二年五月乙未晦，日有蚀之，在柳七度，京都宿也。 柳为上仓，祭祀谷也，近舆鬼，舆鬼为宗庙。 十九年中，有司奏请立近帝四庙以祭之，有诏「庙处所未定，且就高庙袷祭之。」 至此三年，遂不立庙。 有简堕心，奉祖宗之道有阙，故示象也。 二十五年三月戊申晦，日有蚀之，在毕十五度。 毕为边兵。 其冬十月，以武谿蛮夷为寇害，伏波将军马援将兵击之。 二十九年二月丁巳朔，日有蚀之，在东壁五度。 东壁为文章，一名娵訾之口。 先是皇子诸王各招来文章谈说之士，去年中，有人上奏：「诸王所招待者，或真伪杂，受刑罚者子孙，宜可分别。」 于是上怒，诏捕诸王客，皆被以苛法，死者甚多。 世祖不早为明设刑禁，一时治之过差，故天示象。 世祖于是改悔，遣使悉理侵枉也。
At month's end on yiwei in the fifth month of Jianwu 22 (46), the sun was eclipsed at seven degrees in Liu—the lodge of the capital itself. Liu is the "upper granary" of ritual grain; it neighbors Yugi, the asterism of the ancestral shrine. In the midst of the nineteenth year, responsible officials memorialized requesting to establish four temples to recent emperors to sacrifice to them; there was an edict: "The site of the temples is not yet fixed; for now perform the xia sacrifice at the High Temple." Three years passed, and still no separate shrines were built. The court had grown slack toward the ancestors; the rites owed to the imperial dead were neglected—hence the warning in the heavens. At month's end on wushen in the third month of Jianwu 25 (49), an eclipse fell at fifteen degrees in Bi. Again Bi pointed to frontier war. That winter, in the tenth month, Ma Yuan marched south against the Wuxi tribes who were plundering the border. On the new moon dingsi in the second month of Jianwu 29 (53), the sun was eclipsed at five degrees in Eastern Wall. Eastern Wall governs letters and learning; it is also called the mouth of the Ju zi lunar mansion. The princes had been patronizing scholars and debaters; the year before, a memorial warned that their clients included descendants of convicted men and demanded a vetting process. Enraged, Guangwu ordered a sweep of the princes' retainers; harsh statutes were applied and many died. Because he had not laid down clear rules in advance, the purge overshot its mark—so Heaven sent a sign. He then relented and dispatched agents to redress every wrongful conviction.
6
三十一年五月癸酉晦，日有蚀之，在柳五度，京都宿也。 自二十一年示象至此十年，后二年，宫车晏驾。
At month's end on guiyou in the fifth month of Jianwu 31 (55), an eclipse struck Liu at five degrees—the capital's own lodge. Ten years had passed since the omen of Jianwu 21; two years after this eclipse, Guangwu died.
7
中元元年十一月甲子晦，日有蚀之，在斗二十度。 斗为庙，主爵禄。 儒说十一月甲子，时王日也，又为星纪，主爵禄，其占重。
At month's end on jiazi in the eleventh month of Zhongyuan 1 (56), the sun was eclipsed at twenty degrees in Dou. Dou is the lodge of the ancestral shrine and of titles and stipends. Scholars note that jiazi in the eleventh month is the "king" stem-branch day, and the month belongs to the Star Marker cycle—both tie to rank and revenue, so the omen weighed heavily.
8
At month's end on renshen in the eighth month of Yongping 3 (60), an eclipse occurred at two degrees in Di. Di is the lodge of the ruler's sleeping quarters. Emperor Ming was then raising the Northern Palace. At month's end on renyin in the tenth month of Yongping 8 (65), a total eclipse reached eleven degrees in Dou. Dou corresponds to the old state of Wu. By celestial reckoning Guangling lies in the Wu sector. Two years later Prince Jing of Guangling killed himself after a conviction for treason.
9
At month's end on jiachen in the tenth month of Yongping 13 (70), the sun was eclipsed at seventeen degrees in Wei. At month's end on wuwu in the fifth month of Yongping 16 (73), an eclipse fell at fifteen degrees in Liu. Scholars liken wuwu in the fifth month to jiazi in the eleventh month, and Liu again marked the capital—so the portent was grave. Two years later Emperor Ming died. At month's end on jiachen in the eleventh month of Yongping 18 (75), an eclipse occurred at twenty-one degrees in Dou. Ming had just died, and Empress Dowager Ma held the power of appointments—yang, the masculine principle of rule, was eclipsed.
10
On the new moon gengchen in the second month of Zhangdi's Jianchu 5 (80), the sun was eclipsed at eight degrees in Eastern Wall. The parallel case is recorded under Jianwu 29. Courtiers were wrangling over exegetical tradition and tearing one another down in debate. At month's end on xinwei in the sixth month of Jianchu 6 (81), an eclipse struck six degrees in Yi. Yi presages envoys and guests from afar. That winter Prince Cang of Dongping attended court; he died the following first month.
11
章和元年八月乙未晦，日有蚀之。 史官不见，佗官以闻。 日在氐四度。
At month's end on yiwei in the eighth month of Zhanghe 1 (87), a solar eclipse occurred. Court astronomers missed it; another office relayed the news. The disk stood at four degrees in Di.
12
On renwu in the second month of Yongyuan 2 (90), the sun was eclipsed. Astronomers at the capital failed to record it; Zhuo Commandery sent word. The eclipse point lay at eight degrees in Kui. On the new moon wuxu in the sixth month of Yongyuan 4 (92), the sun was eclipsed at two degrees in the Seven Stars—the lodge of court dress. Some add that the path brushed Xuanyuan at the left horn—the sector of the empress dowager's kin. On the nineteenth of that month the emperor stripped Dou Xian and his brothers of office, packed them off to their fiefs, installed harsh overseers, and drove them to suicide. On the new moon xinhai in the fourth month of Yongyuan 7 (95), an eclipse fell in the Beak asterisms (Zuixi); the lodge signifies mustering hosts and tightening control. Scholars read Baolü as a sign of intrigue within the harem—jealous grasping and the reining in of rivals. That year Lady Deng entered the palace as a concubine. The next third month Empress Yin was enthroned while Lady Deng won the emperor's favor; Yin's jealousy led to her own deposition. Another line of interpretation: the sun was moving toward Shen; Shen and the Fa asterism mean beheading and slaughter. The following seventh month Feng Zhu, colonel of agile cavalry, captured and executed the Xiongnu chieftain Wuju zhan of the Wenyudou royal house.
13
十二年秋七月辛亥朔，日有蚀之，在翼八度，荆州宿也。 明年冬，南郡蛮夷反，为寇。 十五年四月甲子晦，日有蚀之，在东井二十二度。 东井，主酒食之宿也。 妇人之职，无非无仪，酒食是议。 去年冬，邓皇后立，有丈夫之性，与知外事，故天示象。 是年水，雨伤稼。
On the new moon xinhai in the seventh month of Yongyuan 12 (100), an eclipse occurred at eight degrees in Yi—the lodge of Jingzhou. The next winter the southern tribes of Nan Commandery rose in revolt. At month's end on jiazi in the fourth month of Yongyuan 15 (103), the sun was eclipsed at twenty-two degrees in Eastern Well. Eastern Well governs drink and viands—the kitchen of Heaven. The Odes say a woman's sphere is blameless modesty and the ordering of drink and food. The previous winter Empress Deng had been installed; she took a hand in statecraft like a man—Heaven therefore mirrored her overreach in the eclipse. The same year floods and relentless rains ruined the harvest.
14
On guiyou, the second day of the third month of Yongchu 1 (107), the sun was eclipsed at two degrees in Wei. Wei again signals the imperial granaries. Empress Dowager Deng held the reins; the previous year's floods had emptied the bins. On the new moon gengchen in the first month of Yongchu 5 (111), an eclipse fell at eight degrees in Xu. The first month is the month in which the Son of Heaven sets the year in motion. Xu means "void" and "empty title." The dowager ruled in place of the young emperor, so neither occupied the rightful role—like a vacant throne—hence yang failed on the year's first new moon. Yin thus mounted yang; barbarians raided along every frontier, and the western commanderies were laid waste. At month's end on bingshen in the fourth month of Yongchu 7 (113), the sun was eclipsed at one degree in Eastern Well.
15
On the new moon wuzi in the tenth month of Yuanchu 1 (114), an eclipse occurred at ten degrees in Wei. Wei is the asterism of the imperial harem. It is the lodge that governs heirs and succession. The emperor doted on Lady Yan and meant to make her empress; the eclipse foretold ill for the heir and the dynasty's line. The following fourth month she was enthroned as empress. She then joined Jiang Jing, Geng Bao, and others in poisoning the heir apparent's name until he was cast aside. At month's end on renwu in the ninth month of Yuanchu 2 (115), the sun was eclipsed at four degrees in the Heart mansion. The Heart is the ruler's star; the eclipse meant the true king had long forfeited his seat. On xinhai, the second day of the third month of Yuanchu 3 (116), an eclipse fell at five degrees in Lou. Court astronomers missed it; Liaodong relayed the sighting. On the new moon yisi in the second month of Yuanchu 4 (117), the sun was eclipsed at nine degrees in Kui. Capital scribes failed to record it; seven commanderies sent separate reports. Kui presages the imperial arsenal and its arms. On renxu the eighteenth of that month the Luoyang armory burned, consuming stacks of weapons. On the new moon bingshen in the eighth month of Yuanchu 5 (118), an eclipse reached eighteen degrees in Yi. Astronomers at court did not see it; Zhangye Commandery reported the eclipse. On the new moon wuwu in the twelfth month of Yuanchu 6 (119), a nearly total eclipse darkened the land like twilight. It struck eleven degrees in the Girl asterism—an ill omen for the ruling empress. Two years later, in the third month, Empress Dowager Deng passed away.
16
永宁元年七月乙酉朔，日有蚀之，在张十五度。 史官不见，酒泉以闻。
On the new moon yiyou in the seventh month of Yongning 1 (120), the sun was eclipsed at fifteen degrees in Zhang. The capital observatory missed it; Jiuquan sent word.
17
At month's end on gengshen in the ninth month of Yanguang 3 (124), an eclipse occurred at fifteen degrees in Di. Di is the lodge of the ruler's private apartments. Here "palace" denotes the empress's domain at the center of the court. The emperor trusted Jiang Jing, Fan Feng, and his wet nurse Wang Sheng, believed their lies, and deposed the crown prince. On the new moon wuwu in the third month of Yanguang 4 (125), the sun was eclipsed at twelve degrees in Wei. Longxi, Jiuquan, and Shuofang all filed reports, yet the capital historians failed to note the eclipse.
18
顺帝永建二年七月甲戌朔，日有蚀之，在翼九度。
On the new moon jiaxu in the seventh month of Yongjian 2 (127), an eclipse struck nine degrees in Yi.
19
阳嘉四年闰月丁亥朔，日有蚀之，在角五度。 史官不见，零陵以闻。
On the new moon dinghai in the intercalary month of Yangjia 4 (135), the sun was eclipsed at five degrees in Horn. Court scribes missed it; Lingling Commandery reported the event.
20
On the new moon wuxu in the twelfth month of Yonghe 3 (138), an eclipse occurred at eleven degrees in the Girl asterism. The observatory at Luoyang saw nothing; Kuaiji relayed the eclipse. The next year Zhang Kui and other eunuchs tried to frame Liang Shang for treason; the plot collapsed and they were executed. At month's end on jichou in the fifth month of Yonghe 5 (140), the sun was eclipsed at thirty-three degrees in Eastern Well. Eastern Well governs the capital region of the Three Supports. It borders Yugi, the asterism of the imperial shrines. That autumn Qiang raiders from the west broke through to the mausoleum parks around Chang'an. At month's end on xinhai in the ninth month of Yonghe 6 (141), an eclipse fell at eleven degrees in Wei. Wei rules the harem and the matter of heirs. Readers took it as a sign that the imperial line would not flourish.
21
On the new moon xinhai in the first month of Jianhe 1 (147), the sun was eclipsed at three degrees in Encampment. Capital historians missed it; reports arrived from the provinces. Empress Dowager Liang was then regent for the boy emperor. At month's end on dingmao in the fourth month of Jianhe 3 (149), an eclipse reached twenty-three degrees in Eastern Well. The parallel case is discussed under Yongyuan 15. Eastern Well stands for justice; the dowager let her brother Liang Ji murder ministers without cause—a breach of Heaven's law. The following year the empress dowager died.
22
元嘉二年七月二日庚辰，日有蚀之，在翼四度。 史官不见，广陵以闻。 翼主倡乐。 时上好乐过。
On gengchen, the second day of the seventh month of Yuanjia 2 (152), the sun was eclipsed at four degrees in Yi. Luoyang's astronomers saw nothing; Guangling reported the eclipse. Yi presides over music, dance, and court entertainments. The emperor was then addicted to spectacle and song.
23
永兴二年九月丁卯朔，日有蚀之，在角五度。 角，郑宿也。 十一月，泰山盗贼群起，劫杀长吏。 泰山于天文属郑。
On the new moon dingmao in the ninth month of Yongxing 2 (154), an eclipse occurred at five degrees in Horn. Horn corresponds to the old state of Zheng. In the eleventh month bandit gangs erupted on Mount Tai, robbing and murdering officials. By celestial mapping Mount Tai lies in the Zheng sector.
24
At month's end on gengchen in the intercalary month of Yongshou 3 (157), the sun was eclipsed at two degrees in the Seven Stars. Provincial reports replaced a silent capital record; the parallel is under Yongyuan 4. Two years later Empress Liang died, and Liang Ji and his brothers were executed.
25
At month's end on jiaxu in the fifth month of Yanxi 1 (158), an eclipse struck Liu at seven degrees—the capital's own lodge. At month's end on bingjia in the first month of Yanxi 8 (165), the sun was eclipsed at thirteen degrees in Encampment. Encampment is the mansion of the empress. On guihai in the second month Empress Deng was convicted of drunkenness, confined to the Sudden Heat ward, forced to kill herself, and her kin were executed. The same conjunction had appeared when Empress Dowager Lü died. On the new moon xinmao in the first month of Yanxi 9 (166), an eclipse fell at three degrees in Encampment. Again the capital missed it; the regions reported the eclipse. Gu Yong warned that the eclipse was ominous for the senior ministers of the three courts. The following year Emperor Huan died.
26
永康元年五月壬子晦，日有蚀之，在舆鬼一度。 儒说壬子淳水日，而阳不克，将有水害。 其八月，六州大水，勃海海溢。
At month's end on renzi in the fifth month of Yongkang 1 (167), the sun was eclipsed at one degree in Yugi. Scholars call renzi a "Chunshui" day on which yang falters—foretelling catastrophic floods. That eighth month six provinces were inundated and the Bohai tide surged over the coast.
27
On the new moon dingwei in the fifth month of Jianning 1 (168), a solar eclipse occurred. At month's end on jiachen in the tenth month of that year, another eclipse darkened the sun. At month's end on wuxu in the tenth month of Jianning 2 (169), the sun was eclipsed again. Youfufeng Commandery relayed the sighting. At month's end on bingyin in the third month of Jianning 3 (170), an eclipse occurred. The chancellor of Liang state reported it. On the new moon xinyou in the third month of Jianning 4 (171), the sun was eclipsed.
28
29
On the new moon xinhai in the second month of Guanghe 1 (178), a solar eclipse occurred. At month's end on bingzi in the tenth month of Guanghe 1, the sun was eclipsed at four degrees in Ji. Ji governs the inner palace and scandalous speech. That month the emperor heeded slander and deposed Empress Song. On the new moon jiaxu in the fourth month of Guanghe 2 (179), a solar eclipse occurred. On the new moon gengyin in the ninth month of Guanghe 4 (181), the sun was eclipsed at six degrees in Jiao.
30
中平三年五月壬辰晦，日有蚀之。 六年四月丙午朔，日有蚀之。 其月浃辰，宫车晏驾。
At month's end on renchen in the fifth month of Zhongping 3 (186), the sun was eclipsed. On the new moon bingwu in the fourth month of Zhongping 6 (189), a solar eclipse occurred. Twelve days into that same month Emperor Ling died.
31
32
兴平元年六月乙巳晦，日有蚀之。
At month's end on yisi in the sixth month of Xingping 1 (194), an eclipse darkened the sun.
33
建安五年九月庚午朔，日有蚀之。 六年二月丁卯朔，日有蚀之。
On the new moon gengwu in the ninth month of Jian'an 5 (200), the sun was eclipsed. On the new moon dingmao in the second month of Jian'an 6 (201), another eclipse occurred.
34
十三年十月癸未朔，日有蚀之，在尾十二度。 十五年二月乙巳朔，日有蚀之。 十七年六月庚寅晦，日有蚀之。
On the new moon guiwei in the tenth month of Jian'an 13 (208), the sun was eclipsed at twelve degrees in Wei. On the new moon yisi in the second month of Jian'an 15 (210), a solar eclipse occurred. At month's end on gengyin in the sixth month of Jian'an 17 (212), the sun was eclipsed.
35
二十一年五月己亥朔，日有蚀之。 二十四年二月壬子晦，日有蚀之。
On the new moon jihai in the fifth month of Jian'an 21 (216), a solar eclipse occurred. At month's end on renzi in the second month of Jian'an 24 (219), the sun was eclipsed.
36
凡汉中兴十二世，百九十六年，日蚀七十二：朔三十二，晦三十七，月二日三。
Across the restored Han line—twelve reigns and one hundred ninety-six years—seventy-two solar eclipses were recorded: thirty-two on new moons, thirty-seven at month's end, and three on the second day.
37
38
Under Emperor Ling the sun often rose in the east the color of clotted blood, dim and nearly lightless until it climbed more than two zhang above the horizon. When it set in the west, some two zhang above the horizon, it showed the same blood-red dimness. The omen texts read: careless service to Heaven turns sun and moon the color of blood. The moon, too, when it hung two or three zhang above the horizon at rising or setting, often glowed the same lurid red.
39
光和四年二月己巳，黄气抱日，黄白珥在其表。
On jisi in the second month of Guanghe 4 (181), yellowish vapor ringed the sun, with pale yellow prominences flaring from its disk.
40
中平四年三月丙申，黑气大如瓜，在日中。 五年正月，日色赤黄，中有黑气如飞鹊，数月乃销。
On bingshen in the third month of Zhongping 4 (187), a melon-sized black spot appeared on the face of the sun. In the first month of Zhongping 5 (188) the solar disk turned dull red-yellow with a black streak like a darting magpie; the blemish lingered for months before fading.
41
六年二月乙未，白虹贯日。
On yiwei in the second month of Zhongping 6 (189), a white rainbow spanned the sun.
42
献帝初平元年二月壬辰，白虹贯日。
On renchen in the second month of Chuping 1 (190), another white rainbow crossed the solar disk.
43
桓帝永寿三年十二月壬戌，月蚀非其月。
On renxu in the twelfth month of Yongshou 3 (157), a lunar eclipse occurred out of season.
44
延熹八年正月辛巳，月蚀非其月。
On xinsi in the first month of Yanxi 8 (165), the moon was eclipsed at an improper time.
45
赞曰：皇极惟建，五事克端。 罚咎入沴，逆乱浸干。 火下水腾，木弱金酸。 妖岂或妄，气炎以观。
The summation reads: when the sovereign holds the center, the five royal duties align true. Punishments and faults curdle into cosmic disruption; rebellion seeps upward until it stains the throne. Fire sinks beneath mounting water; wood withers and metal turns brittle—each element out of true. These portents are no idle tales: read them in the fevered breath of the age.