The genesis of astronomical knowledge of Mongolian peoples: Linguistic and cultural-historical analysis of the Mongolian astronomical map from the xylograph “Chinese Astronomical Sutra”

The article examines the history of astronomical knowledge development among Mongolian peoples, from initial observations of celestial bodies’ movements to institutionalized research during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368) at Khan Khubilai’s court (1260–1294), the late Ming dynasty (1601–1644), and the Qing dynasty (1644–1912). The study draws on Chinese astronomical and astrological works – “Chongzhen Calendar” (崇禎曆書), “Calendrical Treatise Based on the New Western Methods” (西洋新法曆書), “Simplified Calendrical Treatise” (簡要曆書), the Dunhuang astronomical atlas (S. 3326), and as well as Mongolian “Chinese Astronomical Sutra” (Kitad-in ǰiruqai-yin sudur) and Tibetan “Great Chinese Calendar” (rgya rtsis chen mo) xylographs. The key research method is historical-linguistic analysis of astronomical constellation names on the maps from the Mongolian and Tibetan xylographs, along with depictions of the sky in the Mongolian xylograph “Chinese Astronomical Sutra” (Kitadin ǰiruqai-yin sudur). It is established that the Mongolian xylograph derives from the “Calendrical Treatise Based on the New Western Methods” (西洋新法曆書), compiled by Jesuit Adam Schall von Bell at the Manchu emperor’s court. The Mongolian Northern Hemisphere map in this xylograph also reflects features of Chinese astronomy, evident in constellation nomenclature and arrangement.

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