Big Dipper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Big Dipper - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hindu astronomy, it is referred to as Sapta Rishi, meaning the "The Seven Great Sages".

Throughout eastern Asia, the stars compose the Northern Ladle. They are colloquially known as the "Seven Stars of the Northern Ladle":

• Chinese: 北斗七星,; pinyin: běidǒu qīxīng; Jyutping: bak1 dau2 cat1 sing1;
• Japanese: 北斗七星, Hokuto Shichisei;
• Korean: 북두칠성(北斗七星), Bukdu chilseong;
• Vietnamese: Sao Bắc Đẩu;
• Kyrgyz: Жетиген, Jetigen

The seven stars are very important in Taoist astrology. Sometimes there are said to be nine stars — besides the seven visible stars, two invisible "attendant" stars, one on either side of the star Alkaid. Legend has it that there used to be 9 stars (北斗九星) but 2 had since faded and that those who can see the 2 unseen stars will lead a long life. The Goddess Doumu is said to have given birth to the nine stars which make up the asterism.

In Mongolia, it is known as the Seven Gods (Долоон бурхан). In parts of rural India, it is known as the Samantha formation. An Arabian story has the four stars of the Plough's bowl as a coffin, with the three stars in the handle as mourners, following it.

In Indonesia, the asterism is known as Bintang Biduk or "biduk star", biduk refers to a small ship or canoe used to transport objects.^[6]Buruj Biduk(The Ladle) is the formation's name in Malaysia.

He who walks with integrity walks securely. But he who perverts his ways will become known! - Proverbs 10:9