| Fixed star: HAN | |
| Constellation: Zeta (ζ) Ophiuchus | |
| Longitude 1900: 07SAG50 | Longitude 2000: 09SAG14 |
| Declination 1900: -10.22′ | Declination 2000: -10.33′ |
| Right ascension: 16h 37m | Latitude: +11.23′ |
| Spectral class: O9 | Magnitude: 2.7 |
The history of the star: Han
from p.302 of Star Names, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889.
[A scanned copy can be viewed on this webpage
Zeta (ζ) Ophiuchus, Han, is a small star situated near the left knee of the Serpent Holder.
It sometimes shared with eta (η, Sabik) the title Sabik, or Preceding One, attached to the latter star in Al Tizini’s catalogue (Arabian astronomer, first half of 16th century).
Brown thinks that, with epsilon (ε Yed Posterior), it marked the Akkadian lunar asterism Mulu-bat, the Man of Death; with eta (η Sabik), theta (θ ), and xi (ξ), the Persian Garafsa, or Serpent-tamer; with eta (η Sabik), the Sogdian Iranians Bastham, Bound,” i.e. Ophiuchus enveloped in the coils of Ophis”; and the Khorasmian (east of Persia) Sardhiwa, the Head of the Evil One.
It was the Chinese Han, an old feudal state.
Epsilon (ε Yed Posterior), delta (δ Yed Prior) with this star zeta (ζ Han), and eta Ophiuchus (η Sabik) and alpha (Unukalhai), delta (δ), and epsilon (ε) of Serpens, constituted the Nasak al Yamaniyy, the Southern Boundary Line of the Raudah, or Pasture, which here occupied a large portion of the heavens; other stars in Ophiuchus and Hercules forming the Nasak al Shamiyyah, or Northern Boundary.
Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen, 1889].
The astrological influences of the constellation Ophiuchus
It is said to give a passionate, blindly good-hearted, wasteful and easily seduced nature, unseen dangers, enmity and slander. Pliny said that it occasioned much mortality by poisoning. This constellation has also been called Aesculapius and held to rule medicines. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter Oin and the 16th Tarot Trump “The Lightning Struck Tower”. [Robson, p.54.]
The astrological influences of the constellation Ophiuchus given by Manilius:
“When Ophiuchus, encircled by the serpent’s great coils, rises he renders the forms of snakes innocuous to those born under him. They will receive snakes into the folds of their flowing robes, and will exchange kisses with these poisonous monsters and suffer no harm.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 5, p.333].
“One called Ophiuchus holds apart the serpent which with its mighty spirals [gyris] and twisted body encircles his own, that so he may untie its knots and back that winds in loops. But, bending its supple neck, the serpent looks back and returns; and the other’s hands slide over the loosened coils. The struggle will last for ever, since they wage it on level terms with equal powers.” [Manilius, Astronomica, 1st century AD, book 1, p.31].
The astrological influences of star Han
Of the nature of Saturn and Venus. It brings trouble and disgrace. [Robson, p.172.]
With Sun: Sickness, disgrace and ruin. [Robson, p.172.]
With Moon: Disgrace, ruin and ailments affecting those parts ruled by Sagittarius. [Robson, p.172.]
References:
Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923].