Coelum Stellatum Christianum

The Coelum Stellatum Christianum is a star atlas published in 1627 by Julius Schiller (c. 1580–1627), with the collaboration of Johann Bayer (1572–1625). In the treatise, which was published by Andreas Aperger at Augsburg during the same year as Schiller's death, pagan constellations were replaced with biblical figures and Christian motifs. Schiller replaced the zodiac constellations with the Twelve Apostles, the northern constellations with New Testament figures, and the southern constellations with Old Testament figures.[1]

Coelum Stellatum Christianum
Cover of Coelum Stellatum Christianum
AuthorJulius Schiller, Johann Bayer
IllustratorLucas Kilian
LanguageLatin
SubjectUranography
PublisherAndreas Aperger
Publication date
1627

The planets, the Sun, and the Moon were also replaced by biblical figures:[1]

The engravings in the atlas were by Lucas Kilian.

Constellations

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New Testament

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In general, New Testament figures and motifs correspond with constellations located to the north of the ecliptic:

No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(English)
Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(Latin)[2]
Image
I Ursa Minor Archangel Michael Sancti Michaelis Archangeli
 
II Ursa Major Barque of Saint Peter Naviculæ S. Petri Apostoli
 
III Draco Massacre of the Innocents Sanctorum Innocentum Puerorum
 
IV Cepheus Saint Stephen Sancti Stephani Protomaryris
 
V Bootes Pope Sylvester I Sancti Silvestri Pontificis Max
 
VI Coma Berenices Flagellation of Christ Flagelli XPI Domini
 
VII Corona Borealis Crown of Thorns Coronæ XPI Spineæ
 
VIII Hercules Magi Sanctorum Trium Regum
 
IX Lyra Nativity Præsepii Salvatoris Christi
 
X Cygnus Saint Helena Cum Eius Inventrice S. Helena
 
XI Cassiopeia Mary Magdalene Sanctæ Mariæ Magdalenæ
 
XII Perseus Paul of Tarsus Sancti Pauli Apostoli
 
XIII Auriga Jerome Sancti Hieroymi Ecclesiæ Doctoris
 
XIV Ophiuchus Saint Benedict among the brambles Sancti Patris Benedicti Inter Spinas
 
Serpens Brambles surrounding Saint Benedict
XV Aquila Catherine of Alexandria Sanctæ Catarinæ Virginis
 
Sagitta Holy Lance Clavorum XPI Crucifixi
XVI Delphinus Water jug of the wedding at Cana Hydriæ Canæ
 
Equuleus Rosa Mystica Rose Mysticæ
XVII Pegasus Archangel Gabriel Sancti Gabrielis Archangelæ
 
XVIII Andromeda Holy Sepulchre Sepulchri XPI Triumphatoris
 
XIX Triangulum Papal tiara of Saint Peter Mitræ Pontificalis S. Petri
 
XXXII Cetus Saint Anne Annæ Parentum Deiparæ
 
Saint Joachim Sanctorum Joachimi
XXXIV Orion Joseph of Nazareth Sancti Joseph Viri Mariæ
 

Old Testament

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In general, Old Testament figures and motifs were applied to constellations to the south of the ecliptic:

No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(English)
Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(Latin)[2]
Image
XXXIII Eridanus Crossing of the Red Sea Transitus Israel Nempe per Mare Rubrum
 
XXXV Lepus Gideon Velleris Gideonis
 
Columba Noah's dove Columbæ Noachi
XXXVI Canis Major David Sancti Regis Davidis
 
XXXVII Canis Minor Lamb of God Agni Paschalis
 
XXXVIII Puppis, Carina, Vela, Pyxis (Argo Navis) Noah's Ark Archæ Patriarchæ Noachi
 
XXXIX Hydra Jordan River (not to be confused with Jordanus) Iordanis Fluvii
 
XL Crater, Corvus Ark of the Covenant Sanctæ Arcæ Foederis
 
XLI Centaurus Abraham and Isaac Sanctorum Patriarcharum Abrahami et Isaaci
 
XLII Lupus Jacob Sancti Israelis Sive Jacobi Patriarchæ
 
XLIII Ara Showbread Table Altaris Thymiamatis
 
Corona Australis Crown of Solomon Diadematis Regis Salomonis
XLIV Piscis Austrinus Barrel of the widow of Zarephath Hydriæ Farinæ Sarepthanæ Vidvæ
 
XLV Grus, Phoenix Aaron Aaronis Summi Sacerodotis
 
XLVI Pavo, Indus Job Servi Dei Iob
 
XLVII Musca Eve Evæ Matris Cumctorum Viventium
 
Triangulum Australe Tau cross Signi Mystici Tav
XLVIII Volans, Dorado Abel Abbelis Iusti
 
XLIX Tucana, Hydrus Archangel Raphael Sancti Raphaelis Archangeli
 

Apostles

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The twelve zodiac signs were replaced by the Twelve Apostles, with Judas Iscariot excluded and replaced by Saint Matthias:

No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(English)
Coelum Stellatum Christianum
(Latin)[2]
Image
XX Aries Simon Peter Sancti Petri Principus Apostolorum
 
XXI Taurus Andrew the Apostle Sancti Andreæ Apostoli
 
XXII Gemini James the Elder Sancti Iacobi Maioris Apostoli
 
XXIII Cancer John the Apostle Sancti Ioannis Apostoli et Evangelistæ
 
XXIV Leo Thomas the Apostle Sancti Thomæ Apostoli
 
XXV Virgo James the Younger Sancti Jacobi Minoris Apostoli
 
XXVI Libra Philip the Apostle Sancti Philippi Apostoli
 
XXVII Scorpius Bartholomew the Apostle Sancti Bartholoomæ Apostoli
 
XXVIII Sagittarius Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist Sancti Matthæi Apostoli et Evangelistæ
 
XXIX Capricornus Simon the Zealot Sancti Simonis Zelotis Apostoli
 
XXX Aquarius Judas Thaddeus Sancti Ivdæ Thadæi Apostoli
 
XXXI Piscis Matthias the Apostle Sancti Matthiæ Apostoli
 

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Schiller, Julius; Bayer, Johann (1627). Coelum Stellatum Christianum (in Latin). Augsburg: Andreas Aperger.
  2. ^ a b c "Coelum Stellatum Christianum: Constellations based on Biblical themes and characters". Judy & Volker. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
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