The Course of the Heavenly Han

The Heavenly Han original: "天漢", one of several classical names for the Milky Way arises in the East, passing between the asterisms of the Winnowing Basket Ji and the Tail Wei. It is called the Heavenly River original: "天河" and also the Ford of Han original: "漢津". At this point, it divides into two paths.

Its southern path passes through [the asterisms of] Fu Yue named for a legendary Shang dynasty minister, the Fish Pool Yu Yuan, the Celestial Key Tian Yue, the Celestial Market Crown Tian Bian, and the River Drum He Gu.

Its northern path passes through the Winnowing Basket Ji, pierces through the Turtle Bie, and descends. Next, it entwines the Southern Dipper Nan Dou, the Legs Kui, and the Left Flag Zuo Qi, reaching the Celestial Ford Tianjin, where it descends to merge once more with the southern path.

The river then travels toward the southwest, dividing again to flank the Gourd Pao Gua. It entwines the Celestial Human Ren Xing, the Pestle Chu, Zao Fu a legendary charioteer, the Flying Serpent Teng She, Wang Liang another master charioteer, the Auxiliary Road Fu Lu, and the northern end of the Flying Gallery Ge Dao.

Proceeding further, it moves through the Great Mausoleum Da Ling, the Celestial Boat Tian Chuan, and the Rolled Tongue Juan She. Moving southward, it entwines the Five Chariots Wu Che, passes to the south of the Northern River Bei He, and enters the Eastern Well Dong Jing and the Water Level Shui Wei. Continuing its course toward the southeast, it entwines the Southern River He Nan, the Watchtower Mound Que Qiu, the Celestial Dog Tian Gou, the Celestial Record Tian Ji, and the Celestial Millet Tian Ji. Finally, it vanishes to the south of the Seven Stars Qi Xing.

Zhang Heng A renowned polymath and astronomer of the Han Dynasty (78–139 CE) stated: "The Ford of Han is the essence of the element Metal."