Читать книгу Universe: The story of the Universe, from earliest times to our continuing discoveries - Peter Grego - Страница 55

Astrology played an important role in ancient China. No fewer than 5,000 astrologers resided in 5th century Beijing! Twenty-eight constellations formed the ancient Chinese zodiac, through which the Sun, Moon and planets progressed. Each of the five planets was designated its own element – Mercury, water; Venus, metal; Mars, fire; Jupiter, wood; Saturn, earth. A person’s fate was supposedly determined by the relative position of the five planets, the Moon, Sun and any comets that happened to be in the sky at the time of that person’s birth.

Ancient Chinese astrological classification of comets – known as ‘broom stars’. Each shape was said to foretell a different event.