The decans (/ˈdɛkənz/; Egyptian bꜣktw or baktiu, "[those] connected with work"[1]) are 36 groups of stars (small constellations) used in the ancient Egyptian astronomy to conveniently divide the 360 degree ecliptic into 36 parts of 10 degrees each, both for theurgical and heliacal horological purposes. The decans each appeared, geocentrically, to rise consecutively on the horizon throughout each daily Earth rotation. The rising of each decan marked the beginning of a new decanal "hour" (Greek hōra) of the night for the ancient Egyptians, and they were used as a sidereal star clock beginning by at least the 9th or 10th Dynasty (c. 2100 BCE).

'Diagonal star table' from the late 11th Dynasty coffin lid; found at Asyut, Egypt. Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim

Because a new decan also appears heliacally every ten days (that is, every ten days, a new decanic star group reappears in the eastern sky at dawn right before the Sun rises, after a period of being obscured by the Sun's light), the ancient Greeks called them dekanoi (δεκανοί; pl. of δεκανός dekanos) or "tenths".

Decans gave way to a lunar division of 27 or 28 lunar stations, also known as manzil, lunar mansions or nakshatras and thence to a zodiac of 12 signs, based on an anthropomorphic pattern of constellations,[2] and their use can be seen in the Dendera zodiac dated to circa 50 BCE.[3]

Ancient Egyptian origins

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Astronomical ceiling of Senemut Tomb showing various decans, as well as the personified representations of stars and constellations

Decans first appeared in the 10th Dynasty (2100 BCE) on coffin lids.[4] The sequence of these star patterns began with Sothis (Sirius), and each decan contained a set of stars and corresponding divinities. As measures of time, the rising and setting of decans marked 'hours' and groups of 10 days which comprised an Egyptian year. The ancient Book of Nut covers the subject of the decans.

There were 36 decans (36 × 10 = 360 days),[5] plus five added days to compose the 365 days of a solar based year. Decans measure sidereal time and the solar year is six hours longer; the Sothic and solar years in the Egyptian calendar realign every 1460 years. Decans represented on coffins from later dynasties (such as King Seti I) compared with earlier decan images demonstrate the Sothic-solar shift.

According to Sarah Symons:

Although we know the names of the decans, and in some cases can translate the names (ḥry-ỉb wỉꜣ means 'in the centre of the boat') the locations of the decanal stars and their relationships to modern star names and constellations are not known. This is due to many factors, but key problems are the uncertainty surrounding the observation methods used to develop and populate the diagonal star tables, and the criteria used to select decans (brightness, position, relationship with other stars, and so on).[6]

Later developments

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These predictable heliacal re-appearances by the decans were eventually used by the Egyptians to mark the divisions of their annual solar calendar. Thus the heliacal rising of Sirius marked the annual flooding of the Nile.

This method led to a system of 12 daytime hours and 12 nighttime hours, varying in length according to the season. Later,[when?] a system of 24 "equinoctial" hours was used.[7] After Hellenistic astrology arose in Alexandria, recorded principally in the work of Claudius Ptolemy and Vettius Valens, various systems attributing symbolic significance to decans arose and linked these to the "wandering stars" (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) and the "Lights": (Sun and Moon).[8] Decans were connected, for example, with the winds, the four directions, the sect (day or night,) male and female, as well as the four humours (elements;) also these were hermetically considered linked with various diseases and with the timing for the engraving of talismans for curing them;[9] with decanic "faces" (or "phases"), a system where three decans are assigned to each zodiacal sign, each covering 10° of the zodiac, and each ruled by a planetary ruler (see Decan (astrology)); and correlated with astrological signs.[10]

Descriptions of the decans

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Decans are named in various Greco-Egyptian sources, many Hermetic writings, the Testament of Solomon,[11] the Tabula Aristobuli (Codex Palatinus) attributed to Aristobulus of Paneas,[12] and the writings of Julius Firmicus Maternus, Cosmas of Maiuma, Joseph Justus Scaliger, and Athanasius Kircher.[11]

Images of the decans are described in Hermetic writings, by the Indian astrologer Varāhamihira, in the Picatrix, and in Japanese writings.[13] Varāhamihira's images of the decans was influenced by Greco-Egyptian, if not Hermetic, depictions of the decans by way of the Yavanajataka.[14] Their role in Japanese astrology may have derived from an earlier Chinese[15] or Indian form[16] possibly from adding the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac to a list of twenty-four hour stars.[15] They were most common between the Kamakura and Edo periods.[16]

The first original decan position due to the precession in ancient times started at 0° of Cancer when the heliacal rising of Sirius (Egyptian Sepdet; Greco-Egyptian: Sothis) before sunrise marking the Egyptian New Year which fell at 0° of Leo at July 20 in the Julian calendar, that is July 22/23 on the Gregorian calendar.[citation needed]

Names of the Decans
Western Zodiac Decan Original Decan Position due to the Precession in Ancient Times Ancient Egyptian
(Budge)[17]
Greco-Egyptian[17][11] Testament of Solomon[11][18][19] Aristobulus's names[12] Greek Hermeticism[11][20][21] Latin Hermeticism[11][21][22] Firmicus[11] Cosmas[11][23] Scalinger[11] Kircher[11][24]
Aries 1 28
W17Xr
r
wsbA
Khent-kheru
W17pt
sbA
ⲭⲟⲛⲧⲁⲣⲉ
Χont-har
Rhyax or Ruax Bendonc Chenlachori Aulathamas Senator or Asiccan Aidoneus Asiccan Arueris (ⲁⲣⲟⲩⲉⲣⲓⲥ)
2 29
P11d
nw
sbA
Qeṭ
W17Xr
r
sbA
ⲭⲟⲛⲧⲁⲭⲣⲉ
Xont-χre
Barsafael Mensour Chontaret Sabaoth Senacher or Asenter Persephone Senacher Anubis (ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲃ)
3 30
zAzAP11d
nw
sbA sbA
sbA sbA sbA
Sasaqeṭ
zAP11sbA
ⲥⲓⲕⲉⲧ
Si-ket
Artosael or Arôtosael Carexon Siket Disornafais Sentacher or Asentacer Eros Acentacer Horus (ⲱⲣⲟⲥ)
Taurus 4 31
a&r&t sbA
sbA
Ārt
xAwsbA
ⲭⲱⲟⲩ
Xau
Horopel Gisan Soou Jaus Suo or Asicat Charis Asicath Serapis (ⲥⲉⲣⲁⲡⲓⲥ)
5 32
xA xA xA sbA
Khau
a
r
it
sbA
ⲉⲣⲱ, ⲁⲣⲟⲩ
Arat
Kairoxanondalon or Iudal Tourtour Aron Sarnotois Aryo or Ason die Horen Viroaso Helitomenos (ⲉⲗⲓⲧⲟⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ)
6 33
D41
n
Hr
r
wO28Z1D63Z1
sbA
Remen-ḥeru-an-Saḥ
D41
pt
sbA
ⲣⲉⲙⲉⲛⲁⲁⲣⲉ
Remen-hare
Sphendonael Ballat Rhomenos Erchmubris Romanae or Arfa Litai Aharph Apopis (ⲁⲡⲱⲡⲓⲥ)
Gemini 7 34
mssM36F21D63sbA
Mestcher-Saḥ
S24
z
V12
sbA
ⲑⲟⲥⲟⲗⲕ
Θosalk
Sphandor Farsan Xocha Manuchos Thesogar or Tensogar Thetys Thesogar Tautus (ⲧⲟⲟⲩⲑ)
8 35
D41
n
Xr
r
D63sbA
Remen-kher-Saḥ
Z7
a
r
t sbA
ⲟⲩⲁⲣⲉ
Uaret
Belbel Vaspan Ouari Samurois Ver or Asuae Kybele Verasua Cyclops (ⲕⲟⲩⲕⲗⲟⲯ)
9 36
a
Z1
D63sbA
A-Saḥ
tp
a
D63M44t
sbA

Phu-hor
Kourtael or Kurtaêl Parquia Pepisoth Azuel Tepis or Atosoae Praxidike Tepisatosoa Titan (ⲧⲓⲧⲁⲛ)
37
D63sbA
Saḥ
Cancer 10 1 (= 0' Cancer)
M44t
sbA
Sepṭet
ⲥⲱⲑⲓⲥ
Sopdet
Metathiax Panem Sotheir Seneptois Sothis or Socius Nike Sothis Apollun (ⲁⲡⲟⲗⲗⲟⲩⲛ)
11 2
tp
a
k
n
mwtt
sbA
Ṭepā-Kenmut
S
tA
I2
ⲥⲓⲧ
Seta
Katanikotael Catarno Ouphisit Somachalmais Sith Herakles Syth Hecate (ⲉⲕⲁⲧⲏ)
12 3
kS3mwtt
sbA
Kenmut
k
n
F45AsbA
ⲭⲛⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥ
Knum
Saphthorael or Saphathoraél Hellors Chnouphos Charmine Thiumis or Thumus Hekate Thuimis Mercophta (ⲙⲉⲣⲕⲟⲫϯ)
Leo 13 4
Xr
r
K23k
n
mwtt
sbA
Kher-khept-Kenmut
Xr
r
x
t
p
y
k
n
Aa15
sbA
ⲭⲁⲣⲭⲛⲟⲩⲙⲓⲥ
Χar-Knum
Phobothel or Bobêl Jarea Chnoumos Zaloias Craumonis or Afruicois Hephaistos Aphruimis Typhon (ⲧⲟⲩⲫⲱⲉⲟⲩⲥ)
14 5
HAtDAt
sbA
Ḥā-tchat
HAtDAsbA
ⲏⲧⲏⲧ
Ha-tet
Leroel or Kumeatêl Effraa Ipi Zachor Sic Isis Sithacer Peroeus (ⲡⲉⲣⲟⲉⲟⲩⲥ)
15 6
pH
y
DAt
sbA
Peḥui-tchat
pH
y
DAsbA
ⲫⲟⲩⲧⲏⲧ
Phu-Tet
Soubetti Hayas Phatiti Frich Futile or Eisie Sarapis Phuonisie Nephthe (ⲛⲉⲫⲑⲏ)
Virgo 16 7
TmA
t
Hr
r
t
sbA
Themat-ḥert
t
mA
sbA
ⲧⲱⲙ
Tom
Katrax or Atrax Angaf Athoum Zamendres Thumis or Thinnis Themis Thumi Isis (ⲓⲥⲓⲥ)
17 8
TmA
t
Xr
r
t
sbA
Themat-khert
Z7M8U33bAkA
sbA
ⲟⲩⲉⲥⲧⲉ—ⲃⲓⲕⲱⲧⲓ
Uste-bikot
Jeropa or Ieropaêl Bethapen Brysous Magois Tophicus or Tropicus Moirai Thopitus Piosiris (ⲡⲓⲟⲥⲓⲣⲓⲥ)
18 9
G42U33isbA
Usthȧ
ip
z
t
sbA
ⲁⲫⲟⲥⲟ
Aposot
Modobel or Buldumêch Baroche Amphatham Michulais Afut or Asuth Hestia Aphut Cronus (ⲕⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ)
Libra 19 10
B2U33isbA
Bekathȧ
sbX
z
sbA
ⲥⲟⲩⲭⲱⲥ
Sob‿χos
Madero or Naôth Zercuris Sphoukou Psineus Seuichut or Senichut Erinys Serucuth Zeuda (ⲍⲉⲟⲩⲇⲁ)
20 11
tp
a
W17t
t
sbA
Ṭepā-khentet
tp Z1
a
Z1W17sbA
ⲧⲡⲏⲭⲟⲛⲧⲓ
Tpa-χont
Nathotho or Marderô Baham Nephthimes Chusthisis Sepisent or Atebenus Kairos Aterechinis Omphta (ⲟⲙⲫϯ)
21 12
W17t
t
Hr
r
t
Khentet-ḥert
W17pt
sbA
ⲭⲟⲛⲧⲁⲣⲉ
Xont-har
Alath Pieret Phou Psamiatois Senta or Atepiten Loimos Arpien Ophionius (ⲟⲫⲓⲟⲛⲓⲟⲥ)
Scorpio 22 13
W17t
t
Xr
r
t
sbA
Khentet-khert
W17Xr
sbA
ⲭⲟⲛⲧⲁⲭⲣⲉ
Spt-χne
Audameoth Haziza Name Necbeuos Sentacer or Asente Nymphs Sentacer Arimanius (ⲁⲣⲓⲙⲁⲛⲓⲟⲥ)
23 14
TY4snW17t t
sbA
Themes-en-khentet
TmssnW17sbA
. . . . . .
Sesme
Nefthada Nacy Oustichos Turmantis Tepsisen or Asentatir Leto Tepiseuth Merota (ⲙⲉⲣⲱϯ)
24 15
Aa18p
t
x
n
nw
N21
N21
sbA
Sapt-khennu
sp
t
x
n
T19sbA
ⲥⲡⲧⲭⲛⲉ
Si-sesme
Akton Alleinac Aphebis Psermes Sentineu or Aterceni(-cem) Kairos (repeated) Senicer Panotragus (ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲧⲣⲁⲅⲟⲥ)
Sagittarius 25 16
Hr
Z1
ibP1sbA
Ḥer-ab-uȧa
Hr
Z1
ibP1sbA
ʿⲣⲏⲟⲩⲱ
Hre-ua
Anatreth Ortusa Sebos Clinothois Eregbuo or Ergbuo Loimos (repeated) Eregbuo Tolmophta (ⲧⲟⲗⲙⲟⲫϯ)
26 17
P6W8
??
W10
V17Ba16SsmwsbABa16a
Shesmu
z
S
mwsbA
ⲥⲉⲥⲙⲉ, ⲥⲓⲥⲉⲥⲙⲉ
Sesme
Enautha or Enenuth Daha Teuchmos Thursois Sagon Kore Sagen Tomras (ⲧⲟⲙⲣⲁⲥ)
27 18
k
n
mwsbA
Kenmu
k
n
Aa15
sbA
ⲕⲟⲛⲓⲙⲉ
Konime
Axesbyth or Phêth Satan Chthisar Renethis Chenene or Chenem Ananke Chenen Teraph (ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲫ)
Capricorn 28 19
smd
t sbA
Semṭet
sAa15
t sbA
ⲥⲙⲁⲧ
Smat
Hapax or Harpax Eracto Tair Renpsois Themeso Asklepios Themeso Soda (ⲥⲱⲇⲁ)
29 20
tp
a
smd
sbA
Ṭepā-semṭ
tp
a
sAa15
t sbA
. . . . . . . .
Srat
Anoster Salac Epitek Manethois Epiemu or Epimen Hygieia Epima Riruphta (ⲣⲓⲣⲟⲩⲫϯ)
30 21
z
r
t
E11sbA
Sert
z
r
t
sbA
ⲥⲣⲱ
Si-srat
Physikoreth or Alleborith Seros Epichnaus Marcois Omot Tolma Homoth Monuphta (ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲩⲫϯ)
Aquarius 31 22
zAzAz
r
t
sbA
Sasa-sert
zAz
r
t sbA
ⲥⲓⲥⲣⲱ
Tpa-χu
Aleureth or Hephesimireth Tonghel Isi Ularis Oro or Asoer Dike Oroasoer Brondeus (ⲃⲣⲟⲛⲇⲉⲟⲩⲥ)
32 23
Xr
r
K23z
r
t sbA
Kher-khept-sert
Xr
r
x p
t
z
r
sbA
. . . . . . . .
Xu
Ichthion Anafa Sosomo Luxois Cratero or Astiro Phobos Astiro Vucula (ⲃⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩⲗⲁ)
33 24
AxAxsbA
Khukhu
tp
a
N8sbA
ⲧⲡⲏⲭⲩ
Tpa-Biu
Achoneoth or Agchoniôn Simos Chonoumous Crauxes Tepis or Amasiero Osiris Tepisatras Proteus (ⲡⲣⲟⲧⲉⲟⲩⲥ)
Pisces 34 25
bAbA
Baba
N8wrasbA
ⲭⲩ
Biu
Autoth or Autothith Achaf Tetimo Fambais Acha or Atapiac Okeanos Archatapias Rephan (ⲣⲉⲫⲁⲛ)
35 26
W17Hr
r
wsbA
Khent-ḥeru
tp
a
G30sbA
ⲧⲡⲏⲃⲓⲟⲩ
Xont-Har
Phtheneoth or Phthenoth Larvata Sopphi Flugmois Tepibui or Tepabiu Dolus Thopibui Sourut (ⲥⲟⲟⲩⲣⲟⲩⲧ)
36 27
Hr
Z1
ibW17n
t w
sbA
Ḥer-ȧb-khentu
[[G30Z3sbA]]
ⲃⲓⲟⲩ, ⲧⲡⲓⲃⲓⲟⲩ
Tpi-biu
Bianakith Ajaras Syro Piatris Uiu or Aatexbui Elpis Atembui Phallophorus (ⲫⲁⲗⲗⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ)

Ancient India

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In India, the division of the zodiac into 36 ten degree portions is called either the drekkana (drekkāṇa), the dreshkana (dreṣkāṇa), or the drikana (dṛkāṇa).[25]

The iconography and use of the drekkanas is mention earliest by Sphujidhvaja in Yavanajataka (269–270 CE), and given detailed treatment by Varahamihira in his Brihat-Samhita (550 CE). Modern scholars believe the decans were imported into India through the Greeks, who learned about them from the Egyptians.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Keyser & Scarborough 2018, p. 79.
  2. ^ Ptolemy 1940.
  3. ^ Priskin 2016.
  4. ^ Symons 2013.
  5. ^ von Bomhard 1999, p. 51.
  6. ^ Symons 2007.
  7. ^ Neugebauer 1983, pp. 205–209; Neugebauer 1969, pp. 81–88.
  8. ^ van der Waerden 1949.
  9. ^ Ruelle 1908, p. 247.
  10. ^ Julius Firmicus Maternus 1968, IV/22.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gundel 1936, pp. 77–81.
  12. ^ a b Gundel 1936, pp. 406–408.
  13. ^ Gundel 1936, pp. 223–225.
  14. ^ a b Pingree 1963.
  15. ^ a b Gundel 1936, pp. 217–221.
  16. ^ a b Michio 2008.
  17. ^ a b Budge 1904, pp. 304–308.
  18. ^ Gundel 1936, pp. 49–62.
  19. ^ Conybeare 1898.
  20. ^ Ruelle 1908.
  21. ^ a b Gundel 1936, pp. 374–383.
  22. ^ Hermes Trismegistus 1993, pp. iii-12.
  23. ^ Gundel 1936, pp. 353–354.
  24. ^ Kircher 1652, pp. 182–186, Tome 2.
  25. ^ Monier Williams Sanskrit Dictionary[full citation needed]

Works cited

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  • Budge, E. A. Wallis (1904). The gods of the Egyptians; or, Studies in Egyptian mythology. Chicago: Open Court Publishing Co.
  • Conybeare, Frederick Cornwallis (tr.) (October 1898). "The Testament of Solomon". The Jewish Quarterly Review. XI (1): 1–45. doi:10.2307/1450398. JSTOR 1450398.
  • Gundel, Wilhelm (1936). Dekane und Dekansterbilder (in German). Glückstadt and Hamburg: J. J. Augustin.
  • Hermes Trismegistus (1993). Hand, Robert (ed.). Hermes: Liber Hermetis Part I and Part II. Translated by Robert Zoller (1st ed.). Berkeley Springs, WV: Golden Hind Press.
  • Julius Firmicus Maternus (1968) [336]. Kroll, W.; Skutsch, F. (eds.). Matheseos libri VIII (in Latin). Stuttgart: Teubner. 2 vols.
  • Keyser, Paul; Scarborough, John (2018). The Oxford Handbook of Science and Medicine in the Classical World. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0190878832.
  • Kircher, Athanasius (1652). Oedipus Aegyptiacus (in Latin). Italy: Vitale Mascardi.
  • Michio, Yano (2008). "Bukkyō tenbugaku-senseijutsu no zuzō gakuteki junmen: sanjū rokkin to Dekan". Dōshisha daigaku rikō kenkyū hōkoku (in Japanese). 48 (4): 1–6.
  • Neugebauer, Otto (1969) [1957]. The Exact Sciences in Antiquity (2nd ed.). Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0-486-22332-2.
  • Neugebauer, Otto (1983) [1955]. "The Egyptian 'Decans'". Astronomy and History: Selected Essays. New York: Springer. pp. 205–209. doi:10.1007/978-1-4612-5559-8. ISBN 978-0-387-90844-1.
  • Pingree, David (1963). "The Indian Iconography of the decans and Horas". Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes. 26 (3/4): 223–254. doi:10.2307/750493. JSTOR 750493. S2CID 194974629.
  • Priskin, Gyula (2016). "The Astral Myth of Osiris: the Decans of Taurus and Libra" (PDF). ENiM (9): 79–111. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  • Ptolemy (1940). Tetrabiblos. Vol. Book I Part 18. Translated by Frank Egleston Robbins. Cambridge, MA: Loeb.
  • Ruelle, C. E. (October 1908). "Hermès Trismégiste: Le Livré Sacre sur les Décans: Texte, variantes et traduction française". Revue de Philologie (in French). 32 (4): 247–277.
  • Symons, S. L. (2007). "A Star's Year: The Annual Cycle in the Ancient Egyptian Sky". In Steele, J. M. (ed.). Calendars and Years: Astronomy and Time in the Ancient World. Oxford: Oxbow Books. pp. 1–33. ISBN 978-1842173022. Archived from the original on 2013-06-15.
  • Symons, S. L.; et al. (2013). "Diagonal Star Tables". Ancient Egyptian Astronomy (Online database).
  • van der Waerden, B. L. (January 1949). "Babylonian Astronomy. II. The Thirty-Six Stars". Journal of Near Eastern Studies. 8 (1): 6–26. doi:10.1086/370901. JSTOR 542436. S2CID 222443741. The property of the Chaldean Decans that one of them rose every ten days made them fit to be assimilated to the Egyptian decans. This assimilation was performed in the decan lists of Hellenistic astrology.
  • von Bomhard, Anna-Sophie (1999). The Egyptian Calendar: A Work for Eternity. London: Periplus.

Further reading

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  • Christian, Paul (1969) [1870]. "The Thirty-Six Decans". The History and Practice of Magic. Citadel. pp. 476–478.
  • Symons, Sarah (2014). "Egyptian 'Star Clocks'". In Ruggles, Clive L.N. (ed.). Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy. New York: Springer. pp. 1495–1500. ISBN 978-1-4614-6140-1.
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