Royal stars


The Royal Stars, also known as the Royal Stars of Persia, are Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares, and Fomalhaut, four prominent stars that played a significant role in ancient astronomy and astrology. These stars were regarded as the celestial guardians of the sky during the time of the Persian Empire and were considered markers of the four cardinal directions.
The idea of these stars as "guardians" can be traced back to Babylonian astronomy, which significantly influenced Persian cosmology. The Persians further incorporated these stars into their Zoroastrian worldview, assigning them roles as watchers of the sky and associating them with seasonal transitions and divine entities.

Babylonian and Assyrian Origins

The concept of the Four Royal Stars predates the Persian Empire and originates in ancient Babylonian and Assyrian astronomy. By 747 BCE, the Babylonian King Nabonassar implemented a calendar system based on the motions of the moon relative to these four stars.
The Babylonians used two primary cycles for this system: an eight-year cycle and a nineteen-year cycle, the latter becoming the standard lunisolar calendar. By 700 BCE, the Assyrians had mapped the ecliptic cycle and identified these stars as key markers of the zodiacal constellations. This knowledge allowed them to distinguish fixed stars from wandering planets and further refine the study of celestial phenomena.
The four stars were tied to specific constellations:
With the rise of the Persian Empire, these stars became deeply embedded in Zoroastrian cosmology. In Persian tradition, the stars were associated with seasonal transitions and were considered watchers of the cardinal directions:
The Bundahishn, a Zoroastrian text of cosmogony and cosmology, describes these stars in connection with divine entities and cosmic order. Each star was linked to a specific Zoroastrian deity or spirit:
  • Tishtrya : The deity of rain and fertility, celebrated in the Tir Yasht, where Tishtrya battles drought-bringing demons.
  • Vanant : The guardian of the west and a warrior spirit against evil forces, as detailed in Zoroastrian texts.
  • Satevis : A celestial entity associated with balance and the autumnal harvest, mentioned in the Bundahishn.
  • Haftorang : Symbolizing cosmic order and often linked to Ursa Major as "Seven Thrones," representing stability and guidance.

    Names of the Four Royal Stars

The following table illustrates the evolution of the names of the Four Royal Stars in different stages of Persian history:
Star NameAncient Persian Middle Persian Modern Persian Associated Deity and Role
Aldebaran ??????????????تشتر Tishtrya, deity of rain and fertility, associated with the vernal equinox and the "Watcher of the East."
Regulus ??????????ونند Vanant, guardian of the North, associated with the summer solstice and combating demonic forces.
Antares ??????????ستویس Satevis, celestial entity associated with the autumnal equinox and the "Watcher of the West."
Fomalhaut ?????????? ?????هفت اورنگ Haftorang, symbolizing cosmic order, often linked to the winter solstice and the "Watcher of the South."

Uses

The Royal Stars were used for:
  1. Navigation: As fixed markers for the four cardinal directions.
  2. Calendar Systems: Tracking lunar and solar cycles for agricultural and religious purposes.
  3. Astrology: Interpreting celestial alignments to predict major events. Regulus, in particular, was associated with kingship and power, symbolizing strength and divine favor.

    Criticism

Modern scholars, such as George A. Davis Jr., have questioned the connection between the "Four Royal Stars" and ancient Persian cosmology. While the stars were significant in Persian astronomy, Davis noted discrepancies between the Zoroastrian naming scheme and the modern identification of the Royal Stars.