Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers, Volume on Astronomy 4, Table of Contents
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Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers

original: "三才圖會" (Sancai Tuhui). This title refers to the "Three Powers" of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, representing a Ming Dynasty attempt to create a visual "encyclopedia of everything."

While Wang Qi's son is often recorded as Wang Siyi, this edition attributes the correction to "Shizhen." In the Chinese context, "Yunjian" refers to modern-day Songjiang, Shanghai.

Astronomy, Volume Four

Illustration of the Five Celestial Governors
The "Five Governors" or Five Planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Illustration of the Armillary Sphere of Heaven and Earth
A physical model of the celestial sphere, used for astronomical observations and calculations.

Illustration of the Celestial River
The Milky Way.
Illustration of the Nine Paths of the Sun and Moon in Winter and Summer
The "Nine Paths" refer to the traditional Chinese model of solar and lunar orbits: one path for the sun (the ecliptic) and eight varying paths for the moon.

Illustration of the Stations and Conjunctions of the Sun and Moon
This refers to the "Lunar Mansions" or "Lodges" where the sun and moon meet or reside as they move through the sky.
Illustration of the Central Path of the Sun
term: "太陽中道" (The Middle Path of the Sun). This is the traditional Chinese term for the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun against the background of the stars.

Illustration of the Two Poles
Illustration of the North Pole
The North Pole was the central focus of Chinese astronomy, viewed as the celestial throne of the Emperor.

Illustration of Solar Eclipses
Illustration of Lunar Eclipses