The Old Man Star (老人星, Canopus) in Astronomical, Cosmological and Daoist Sources
The Old Man Star (老人星, Canopus) in Astronomical, Cosmological and Daoist Sources
Speaker
Prof. Maurizio Paolillo (Dipartimento Asia, Africa e Mediterraneo, Università degli Studi di Napoli “L’Orientale”)
Date and Time
March 19, 2026, 4.15 pm - 5.45 pm
Venue
Rämistrasse 59, CH-8001 Zurich, Room RAA-E-08
Abstract
In the framework of wider research conducted on the symbolic function of Canopus in ancient China in comparison with ancient Indian and Mediterranean sources, the talk will focus on the references to Canopus (Shouxing 壽星 or Laoren xing 老人星) in astronomical, cosmological and Daoist sources. Particular attention will be paid to a legendary narrative in the Taishang dongxuan lingbao chishu yujue miaojing 太上洞玄靈寳赤書玉訣妙經, a 5th century text belonging to the Lingbao 靈寶 tradition, to establish some references to the Indian world and to the function played there by Canopus (Agastya).
Organization: Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies - Chinese Studies