skycultures/arabic_arabian_peninsula/description.md
The Arabic (Arabian Peninsula) sky culture reflects the oral folk tradition of star names and asterisms in the Arabian Peninsula, primarily found scattered in poetry and proverbs.
The Arabian Peninsula is a region covering the southwestern corner of Asia, bordered by the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea to the south, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian/Persian Gulf to the east, and the Red Sea to the west. The northern border is not precisely defined, but according to ancient geographers, it is bordered by rivers, notably the Euphrates River [#16] [#17]. This region is inhabited by Arabs and includes Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, and parts of Syria and Iraq.
<p></p>Bedouins and farmers across the Arabian Peninsula relied heavily on stars to time their nomadic journeys, care for animals, forecast weather, and conduct agricultural activities. Stars are frequently mentioned in their proverbs and poetry. Fortunately, oral poetry and proverbs have been documented and preserved by various scholars. Surveying the collections of these scholars alongside oral traditions reveals the star knowledge of the people in this region.
The stars used for timing are the same as those of ancient Arabs, but the system is simplified by beginning the year with the heliacal rising of al-Thurayyā, the Pleiades, at the start of summer, then counting 13 days for each lunar station, except al-Ǧabhah, which has 14 days. This results in a 27 lunar stations × 13 days + 14 days (al-Ǧabhah) = 365-day cycle. Other timing methods were also used, such as the monthly Pleiades-Moon conjunction or using stars like those of the Big Dipper.
The sources indicate that star names and asterisms are fewer compared to those of ancient Arabs. Only the brightest stars and prominent asterisms were named and used. An important source of continuing star knowledge is the poetry of al-Ḫalāwī, a poet whose era is uncertain but estimated to be in the 17th century [#3]. Another key source is a poem by Moḥammad al-Qāḍī (~1809–1886), in which he described all 28 lunar stations, citing their local names [#2].
The Two Guards are the stars β Ursae Minoris and γ Ursae Minoris, traditionally used in desert navigation. Their name comes from an old legend in which al-Jady (Polaris) kills the father of the Seven Sisters—represented by the stars of the Big Dipper—who then carry their father’s bier and circle al-Jady, vowing revenge. Seeking protection from their wrath, al-Jady turned to these two nearby stars, which became known as the “Two Guards.” [#1].
Another name for the two stars β Ursae Minoris and γ Ursae Minoris. According to a different version of the legend, these stars are the killers who fled to al-Jady for protection [#1].
Yet another name for the two-star asterism β UMi and γ UMi [#1].
The meaning is uncertain; it could refer to camels. Composed of the seven stars of the Big Dipper [#1].
The seven stars of the Big Dipper [#1].
The seven stars of the Big Dipper, known as the seven sisters carrying their father's bier, the father killed by al-Ǧady (Polaris) [#1].
The five bright stars of Cassiopeia, a name used in western areas along the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia [#1].
The cross-shaped arrangement of α Cyg (Deneb), ε Cyg (Gienah), γ Cyg (Sadr), δ Cyg, and β1+β2 Cyg (Albireo). This comes from oral tradition in Zulfi, central Saudi Arabia [#1].
The front mouth of the bucket (24th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The rear mouth of the bucket (25th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The rope used to pull the bucket from the well (26th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
Stars α Ari and β Ari (27th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The little abdomen of al-Ḥamal (28th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
Proper name of the Pleiades (1st mansion of the Moon) [#3].
Star Aldebran (2nd mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The two stars of Canis Minor, considered the arm of the lion (5th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An asterism of stars δ CMa and ε CMa. Their heliacal rising marks timing (coinciding with the 6th mansion of the Moon). The name is common in central Arabia [#2] [#3].
M 44 and two adjacent stars represent the nose tip of the Arab lion (6th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The eyes of the lion (7th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The forehead of the lion (8th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The mane of the lion (9th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
(10th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An arc of five stars. The Arabic "al-ʿAwwā" may also mean “the Howlers,” dogs barking at the lion (11th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
(12th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
A three-star asterism (13th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
The two bright stars of Libra (14th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An arc of three stars on the forehead of Scorpius (15th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
(16th mansion of the Moon) [#1].
The sting of Scorpius (17th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
Represents the scorpion figure [#2].
An area with no bright stars in Sagittarius (19th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
Four stars in the Milky Way representing ostriches drinking at a river and another four away from the Milky Way representing ostriches returning. A ninth star between and above the two groups is included. All are located in Sagittarius (18th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism depicting a man slaughtering a sheep (20th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism representing a man swallowing a bite (21st mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism of three stars that rise in the morning in spring (22nd mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism consisting of a triangle of three stars with a fourth star inside, symbolizing a man inside a tent (23rd mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism of a small triangle of stars (head of Orion) representing a mark on the side of a horse (3rd mansion of the Moon) [#2].
An ancient Arab asterism (4th mansion of the Moon) [#2].
Refers to stars α, γ, β, and κ Ori, transmitted orally from the Qasseem region of Saudi Arabia [#1].
Another name for the α, γ, β, and κ Ori stars, also from Qasseem, Saudi Arabia [#1].
The three stars at Orion’s belt. This name, along with Northern Horn of al-Jawza and Southern Horn of al-Jawza star names, originates from western Saudi Arabia and is used by Red Sea fishers. The source is oral tradition from the seaport Umluj, Saudi Arabia [#1].
A triangle of stars that rise before al-Thurayya (the Pleiades). It includes α Ari, α Tri, and β Tri. The name comes from oral tradition in Wadi al-Dawasir, southwestern Saudi Arabia [#1].
A proper name for a woman; this constellation represents a female figure formed by the Orion stars, identical to the ancient Arab tradition. Some oral traditions limit the name to the three stars of Orion’s belt [#2][#3].
Khalid al-Ajaji, [email protected].
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