On the Seven Administrators (七政)

论七政

夫七政者.乃是玄象之端.正天之度.王者仰之.以爲治政.故謂之政.七者.數有七也.凡有三解.一云.日月五星.合爲七政.二云.北斗七星爲七政.三云.二十八宿.布在四方.方別七宿.共爲七政.此三種七政.皆配五行.竝三辰之首也.日月五星爲七政者.尚書.考靈曜.七政曰.日月者.時之主也.五星者.時之紀也.故曰.在璇璣玉衡.以齊七政.七政.謂日月五行之政.七政.卽日月五星也.日者.河圖汗光篇云.日爲陽精.始日實也.元命苞云.陽以一起.故日.日行一度.陽成於三.故有三足烏.烏者.陽精.其言僂呼.俗人見僂呼似烏.故以名之.又云.火精陽氣.故外熱內陰.象烏也.日尊故滿.滿故施.施故仁.仁故精.精在外.在外.故大.日外暑.外暑.故陽精外吐.天有三百六十五度四分度之一.布在四方.日.日一歷.無差遲.使四方合如一.故其字四合一也.白虎通云.日徑千里.圍三千里.下於天七千里.太玄經云.日一南.萬物死.日一北.萬物生.物理論云.夏則陽盛而陰衰.故晝長而夜短.冬則陰盛而陽衰.故晝短而夜長.行陽道長.出入卯酉之北.行陰道短.出入卯酉之南.春秋陰陽等故行中道晝夜等也.考靈曜云.春一日.日出卯入酉.昴星一度中而昏.斗星十二度中而明.仲夏一日.日出寅入戌.心星五度中而昏.營室十度中而明.秋一日.日出卯入酉.須女四度中而昏.東井十一度中而明.仲冬一日.日出辰入申.奎星一度中而昏.氐星九度中而明.卯酉陰陽交會.日月至此爲中道.萬物盛衰出入之所.故號二八之門.以當二八月也.故詩推度交云.卯酉之際爲改政.漢書.天文志云.日者.君之象.君行急.則日行疾.君行緩.則日行遲.遲疾失其常.則蝕.蝕在交道也.蝕者.陰侵陽.臣凌君之象也.故日蝕修德以禳之.月者.春秋元命苞云.月者.陰精.爲言闕也.中有蟾蜍與兔者.陰陽兩居相附.託抑詘合.陽結治其內.光炬中氣似文耳.兔善走.象陽動也.兔之言僖僖呼呼.溫暖名也.月.水之精.故內明而氣冷.陰生不滿者.詘於君也.至望而盈者.氣事合也.盈而缺者.詘嚮尊也.其氣卑.卑.故修表成緯.陰受陽精.故精在內.所以金水內景.內景.故精陰沈執不動.月爲陰精.體自無光.藉日照之乃明.猶如臣自無威.假君之勢.乃成其威.月初未政對日.故無光.缺.月半而與日相對.故光滿.十六日已後.漸缺.亦漸不對日也.漢書.天文志云.月.日行十三度四分度之一.立春.春分.東從青道.立秋.秋分.西從白道.立冬.冬至.北從黑道.立夏.夏至.南從赤道.季夏行中道.赤青出陽道.白黑出陰道.晦而見西方.謂之朓.朔而見東方.謂之朒.若君舒緩.臣驕慢.故日行遲.而月行疾.君肅急.則臣恐懼.故日行疾.而月行遲.不敢迫近君位也.其行遲疾失度.亦蝕.蝕者.當日之衝有闇虛.闇虛當月則月蝕.當星則星亡.月蝕者.陽侵陰也.董仲舒云.於人.妃后大臣諸公之象.月爲刑.故月蝕修刑以禳之.五星者.說文云.星者.萬物之精.或曰.日分爲星.故其字日下生.史記云.星.金之散精.星隕爲石.此金是也.春秋云.隕石於宋.隕星也.又云.星者.陰精.金亦陰也.列而言之.各配五行.不獨主金.歲星.木之精.其位東方.主春.蒼帝之子.人主之象.五星之長.司農之官.主福慶.凡有六名.一名攝提.二名重華.三名應星.四名纏星.五名紀星.六名修人星.其所主國.曰吳.齊.超舍而前爲盈.退舍爲縮.行邪則主邪.行正則主正.政急則行疾.政緩則行遲.酷則行陰.和則行陽.行陽則旱.行陰則水.治則順度.亂則逆行.以其主歲.故名歲星.熒惑.火之精.其位南方.主夏.赤帝之子.方伯之象.五星之伯.上承太一.下司人君.謂天子理也.伺無道.出入無常.爲天伺察.所往主兵亂賊喪飢疾.凡有二名.一名罰星.二名執法.其所主國.曰荆.越.是太白之雄.出南爲熒惑.居西爲天理.在東爲縣息.以其出入無常.故名熒惑.鎮星.土之精.其位中央.主四季.女主之象.主德.爲五星之王.一名地候.伺女主之邪正.入陽則爲外.入陰則爲内.四星皆失.鎮星乃爲動.以其鎮宿不移.故名鎮星.太白.金之精.其位西方.主立秋.白帝之子.大将之象.以司兵凶.日南方.太白居其南.日北方.太白居其北.曰盈.日南方.太白居其北.日北方.太白居其南.曰縮.未可出東方而出東方.名重華.未可下東方而下東方.名少歲.未可出西方而出西方.名太白.未可下西方而下西方.名白省.凡有六名.一名天相.二名天政.三名大臣.四名大皓.五名明星.六名大囂.詩云.東曰啓明.西曰長更.其所主國.曰秦.晉.鄭.太白是歲星之雄.太白主兵.兵.西方.金.色白.故曰太白.辰星.水之精.其位北方.主冬.黑帝之子.宰相之象.主刑.政酷則不入.政和則不出.凡有六名.一名安調.二名細極.三名熊星.四名鈎歲.五名伺農.六名勉星.其所主國.曰趙.代.辰星主德.是天之執政.出入平時.故曰辰星.經云.五車西北第一星.曰太白.次北一星.曰辰星.次東北一星.曰歲星.次東南一星.曰鎮星.次西南一星.曰熒惑.此當五星分氣也.又云.歲星變爲彗星.欃雲.槍雲.天狗.熒惑變爲彗星.蚩尤旗.格澤.鎮星變爲獄漢.天沸.旬始.虹蜺.太白變爲彗星.卽掃.辰星變爲枉矢.天槍.天棓.竝是五星氣亂.見妖星也.王者視之.以知得失.考靈曜云.歲星爲規.熒惑爲矩.鎮星爲繩.太白爲衡.辰星爲權.權衡規矩繩.竝皆有所起.周而復始.故政失於春.歲星滿偃.不居其常.政失於复.熒惑逆行.政失於季夏.鎮星失度.政失於秋.太白失行.出入不當.政失於冬.辰星不效其鄉.五政俱失.五星不明.春政不失.五穀孳.夏政不失.甘雨時.季夏政不失.時無菑.秋政不失.人民昌.冬政不失.少疾喪.五政不失.日月光明.此則日月五星.共爲七政之道.亦名七曜.以其是光曜運行也.北斗爲七政者.北斗.天樞也.天有七紀.斗有七星.第一至第四爲魁.第五至第七爲杓.合有七也.尚書緯云.璇璣.斗魁四星.玉衡.拘橫三星.合七.齊四時五威.五威者.五行也.五威在人爲五命.七星在人爲七端.北斗居天之中.當昆崙之上.運轉所指.隨二十四氣.正十二辰.建十二月.又.州國分野年命.莫不政之.故爲七政.虞錄云.北斗七星.據璇璣玉衡以齊七政.政者.天子所治天下.故王者承天行法.合誠圖云.北斗有七星.天子有七政.斗者.居陰布陽.故稱北斗.其七星各有四名.合誠圖云.斗第一星名樞.二名璇.三名璣.四名權.五名衡.六名開陽.七名標光.黃帝斗圖云.一名貪狼.子生人所屬.二名巨門.丑亥生人所屬.三名祿存.寅戌生人所屬.四名文曲.卯酉生人所屬.五名廉貞.辰申生人所屬.六名武曲.己未生人所屬.七名破軍.午生人所屬.孔子元辰經云.一名陽明星.二名陰精星.三名真人星.四名玄冥星.五名丹元星.六名北極星.七名天開星.遁甲經云.一名魁真星.二名魁元星.三名權九極星.四名魁細星.五名魓剛星.六名紀星.七名飄玄陽星.第一水.二水土.三木土.四金木.五金土.六火土.七火.所以子午各獨屬一星.其餘竝兩辰共屬者.子午爲天地之經.斗第一及第七魁剛兩星.亦是斗之經建所用指也.自餘非所指者.故竝兩屬.故六十甲子.從第一起甲子以配之.往還周旋.盡其數矣.北斗領二十八宿.一星主四時.魁起室.剛起角.以次分屬.若人行年至室.而五星行到此宿者.隨星吉凶也.合誠圖云.樞星爲雍州.璇星爲冀州.璣星爲青兗州.權星爲徐揚州.衡星爲荆州.開陽星爲梁州.標光星爲豫州.此爲三才之道.竝爲斗之所政也.二十八宿爲七政者.以其分定國邦.布官設位也.運斗樞云.天有將相之位.佐列宿爲衛.皆據璇璣玉衡.以齊七政.四時布德.三道正氣.尚書考靈曜云.二十八宿.周天三百六十五度四分度之一.故叶時月.正日度.星二十八宿配五行.有二別.一總配.二別配.總配者.東方蒼龍七宿.角.亢.氐.房.心.尾箕.木也.合三十二星.七十五度.南方朱雀七宿.東井.轝鬼.柳.七星.張.翼.軫.火也.合六十五星.一百五度.西方白虎七宿.奎.婁.胃.昴.畢.觜.參.金也.合五十一星.八十度.北方玄武七宿.斗.牽牛.須女.虛.危.營室.東壁.水也.合三十五星.九十八度.其屬土者.東則角亢.南則井鬼.西則奎婁.北則斗牛.皆居四季爲土也.故曾子云.春分鳥星昏主春者中.可以種稷.夏至心星昏主夏者中.可以種黍菽.秋分虛星昏主秋者中.可以種麥.冬至昴星昏主冬者中.山人可以伐器械.家人可以收萑葦.蓄積.田獵.王者坐視四星之中.而知民之緩急.急則不賦力役.故曰敬授民時也.此爲總配.別配五行者.角二星.爲天門.三光之路.十二度.於時在辰.鄭分.木也.亢四星.爲天庭.尚書之曹.九度.於時在辰.鄭分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲水也.氐四星.爲宿宮.路寢所止.十五度.於時在卯.宋分.春夏爲金.秋冬爲水也.房六星.爲明堂.政教之道.五度.於時在卯.宋分.土也.心三星.爲天王之位.五度.於時在卯.宋分.春夏爲木.秋冬爲火也.尾九星.爲后宮.妃嬪之府.十八度.於時在寅.燕分.水也.箕四星.爲王后所居.進御之寢.十一度.於時在寅.燕分.木也.春夏爲金.秋冬爲土也.斗六星.爲主爵祿.褒賢進士.二十六度.於時在丑.吳分.木也.牽牛六星.爲主橋梁.七政之始.八度.於時在丑.吳分.木也.須女四星.爲主布帛.天之內藏.十二度.於時在子.越分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲火也.虛二星.爲廟堂.主祭祀事.十一度.於時在子.齊分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲金也.危三星.爲墳墓.以識先祖.十七度.於時在子.齊分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲火也.營室二星.爲主軍糧.以稟士卒.十六度.於時在亥.衛分.春夏爲木.秋冬爲土也.東壁二星.爲文章.圖書之府.九度.於時在亥.衛分.春夏爲金.秋冬爲水也.奎十六星.爲五兵之庫.禁禦暴亂.十六度.於時在戌.魯分.春夏爲金.秋冬爲火也.婁三星.爲苑牧.主給享祠.十二度.於時在戌.魯分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲火也.胃三星.爲倉廩.五穀所聚.十四度.於時在酉.趙分.春夏爲木.秋冬爲水也.昴七星.爲主獄事.典治決斷.十一度.於時在酉.趙分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲金也.畢八星.爲邊兵.備夷狄.十度.於時在酉.趙分.春夏爲金.秋冬爲水也.觜觿三星.爲保藏.收檢秋物.二度.於時在申.晉分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲土也.參伐十星.爲天大將.斬劉收獲.九度.於時在申.晉分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲土也.東井八星.爲主水衡.以法平時.三十三度.於時在未.秦分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲水也.轝鬼五星.爲視明.主察姦謀.四度.於時在未.秦分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲火也.柳八星.爲上食.主和滋味.十五度於時在午.周分.春夏爲水.秋冬爲火也.星七星.爲衣裳.主蓋身體.七度.於時在午.周分.春夏爲火.秋冬爲水也.張六星.爲主客.賜與讌嬉.十八度.於時在午.周分.水也.翼二十二星.爲天唱.主以戲虞.十八度.於時在巳.楚分.春夏爲木.秋冬爲金也.軫四星.爲死喪.以知交凶.十七度.於時在巳.楚分.春夏爲木.秋冬爲土也.漢書.天文志云.角.亢.氐.韓鄭兗州之分.房心.宋豫州之分.尾箕.燕幽州之分.井鬼.秦雍州之分.柳.七星.張三河之分.翼.軫.楚荆州之分.奎婁.胃.魯徐州之分.昴.畢.趙冀州之分.觜.參.魏梁州之分.斗.江湖之分.牽牛.須女.吳揚州之分.虛.危.齊青州之分.室.壁.衛并州之分.此皆當分所主.正其州國善惡.故爲政也.石氏天官訓解云.角.二星.是蒼龍之首.上角兩角間.天之道.日月五星所行.故名角.亢.爲朝廷.對揚于王.夙夜謀諮四海之內.故名亢.氐.是正寢.冰解之室.故名氐.房.是天子四時所居.故名房.心.前一星爲太子.中爲天子.後一星爲庶子.如人心處中.爲身之主.故名心.尾.是東方蒼龍宿之尾.故名尾.象形也.箕.近斗.象播揚五榖.故名箕.斗.量器也.斟酌爵祿.其形似斗.故名斗.牛亦象牛角.七政之始.故名牛.女.方正.裁割之象.婢妾之類.故名女.虛.耗也.其間空虛.廟堂之象.故名虛.危.似室屋.亦如墳墓.故名危.營室.有六星.爲離宮.似宮室.故名室.壁.直立似壁.孔子藏書於壁.效此義也.故名壁.奎.爲庫.主兵.形象庫周密.故奎.乖也.兵以乖違故舉.所以名奎.婁.如樓閣.亦似鐘婁.故養犧牲以爲名.胃.在藏爲五穀之府.主廩倉.故以爲名.昴.悴聚.如囚之在牢獄.故主獄事.昴星也.聚則憂.故名爲昴.畢.邊夷毛頭之類.如天子警畢.毛頭唱之.畢了唱.以警衆心.故以名之也.觜.聚也.爲白虎之鼻.聚在虎觜鬚間.故以爲名.參.共也.雜金土之氣.共行殺罰.故名參.井.精也.盛水亭平.精微之至.此星象法度.如水之平.故名井.鬼.歸也.陽歸於陰.所以其內一星闇而不明.鬼之象也.故以爲名也.柳.留也.春秋傳曰.或食於任.柳.一名任也.祭祀鬼神.合和五味.留神靈也.故以名之.七星數七.如鳥之衣覆上.故以名之.張.開張也.爲朱鳥之嗉.有容納.故主賓客也.翼.如六翮.似鳥兩翅之飛.故以名翼.軫.似小車.四馬.車後橫曰軫.凶事之用.故以爲名.其狀見邪正.闕陵歷蝕.散爲妖異.彗孛飛流.如此之徒.竝以占候飛開義釋.故不委具.三種七政.既配五行.略說如此.

On the Seven Administrators (七政)

Overall Paraphrased Translation
The Seven Administrators refer to the fundamental principles governing celestial motions, used to calibrate the degrees and trajectories of heavenly bodies. Ancient rulers observed the Seven Administrators to formulate state policies, hence the term "Administrators" (政). "Seven" denotes the number seven, interpreted through three systems: first, the sun, moon, and five planets (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Saturn); second, the Big Dipper (Ursa Major); third, the twenty-eight lunar mansions divided into four groups of seven. All three systems correlate with the Five Elements and represent the core symbols of the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, stars).

🌌 The Three Systems of the Seven Administrators

1. Sun-Moon-Five Planets System
   As recorded in Shangshu·Kaolingyao: The sun and moon are the benchmarks of time, while the five planets are its guiding principles. The phrase "observe the jade sighting-tube and revolving-jade sphere to align the Seven Administrators" refers to using astronomical instruments to track the motions of the sun, moon, and five planets. The Seven Administrators are thus the operational laws of these celestial bodies:

• Sun: Called the "essence of yang," symbolizing perfection and benevolence. It moves precisely without error, traveling one degree per day and completing 365.25 degrees in a year. Its character "日" (sun) symbolizes the unity of the four directions.
• Moon: Known as the "essence of yin," it reflects sunlight, much like ministers exercising authority through the ruler. Its waxing and waning correspond to changes in ruler-subject relations, and lunar eclipses symbolize yin encroaching on yang, necessitating judicial reforms to resolve.
• Characteristics of the Five Planets:
  • Jupiter (岁星)🌱: Deity of spring in the east, governing blessings and celebrations, associated with the Wu and Qi regions. Its direct or retrograde motion reflects the urgency or laxity of governance.
  • Mars (荧惑)🔥: Deity of summer in the south, overseeing military conflicts and supervision, associated with the Jing and Yue regions. Its erratic motion symbolizes celestial punishment.
  • Saturn (镇星)⛰: Deity of earth in the center, symbolizing the empress and acting as the king of the five planets, guarding the celestial lodgings.
  • Venus (太白)⚔️: Deity of autumn in the west, symbolizing generals and governing military disasters, associated with the Qin, Jin, and Zheng regions.
  • Mercury (辰星)🌊: Deity of winter in the north, symbolizing the prime minister and governing justice and administration, associated with the Zhao and Dai regions.

2. Big Dipper (Ursa Major) System
   The Big Dipper serves as the pivot of the heavens, with its seven stars named as follows:

• Astronomical names: Shu, Xuan, Ji, Quan, Heng, Kaiyang, Biaoguang
• Taoist names: Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Prosperity Store, Literary Curved, Pure and Honest, Martial Curved, Army Breaker
  The seven stars govern the twenty-four solar terms, twelve monthly orders, and the nine provinces. Rulers used their motions to establish calendars and policies.

3. Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions System
   The twenty-eight mansions are divided into four groups of seven, each corresponding to one of the Five Elements:

• Eastern Azure Dragon🐉: Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji (Wood, 32 stars, 75 degrees)
• Southern Vermilion Bird🔥: Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, Zhen (Fire, 65 stars, 105 degrees)
• Western White Tiger⚔️: Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, Shen (Metal, 51 stars, 80 degrees)
• Northern Black Tortoise🐢: Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi (Water, 35 stars, 98 degrees)
  The mansions correspond to earthly branches and regions, with astrological changes used to predict fortunes of specific areas.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concept 💡

The Seven Administrators system is essentially an interconnected cosmos-human affairs model established by ancient people through astronomical observation. It couples the motions of celestial bodies with earthly activities like governance, agriculture, and military operations, forming a governance philosophy of "observing heaven to confer time."

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Scientific Core: The Seven Administrators reflect ancient achievements in precise astronomical observation (e.g., the 365.25-degree calendar data). Their correlation with the Five Elements is an abstract summary of planetary physical characteristics (e.g., Mars’ red color associates it with fire, Venus’ association with metal symbolizes its stern nature).
• Decision-Making Thinking: Using celestial changes as early warning signals for policy adjustments is a form of systematic risk assessment model. For example, "Jupiter’s abnormality calls for agricultural reforms" can be interpreted as inferring climate impacts on agriculture through Jupiter’s orbital anomalies.

Practical Value ⚡

• Calendar Applications: The twenty-eight mansions system is still used in traditional calendar calculations and solar term divisions.
• Cultural Symbols: The Big Dipper and the five planets have become significant cultural motifs in Chinese literature and art.
• Decision-Making Reference: While no longer superstitiously relying on celestial signs, the systematic thinking of "multi-factor linkage consideration" remains valuable.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

The Seven Administrators system embodies the Chinese cosmological view of "harmony between heaven and humanity": celestial phenomena are not cold data but an organic whole interacting closely with human society. This holistic thinking still inspires modern approaches to complex issues like climate change and ecosystem management.

📚 Related Knowledge

• Related Concepts: Xuanji Yüheng (ancient astronomical instruments), gnomon shadow measurements, field allocation theory
• Further Reading: Records of the Grand Historian·Celestial Officials, Kaiyuan Treatise on Astrology, Ling Xian
• Modern Research: Xi Zezong’s History of Chinese Astronomy, Feng Shi’s Archaeoastronomy in China

🌟 Note: Modern astronomy has confirmed the orbital mechanisms of the five planets through gravitational theory. Ancient astrology should be viewed as cultural philosophy rather than scientific prediction. It is recommended to use astronomical software (e.g., Stellarium) for visualizing the motions of the Seven Administrators.