2. We need a star list. I will begin at 0h and use the information in my book (Josef Klepešta, Stjärnor och stjärnbilder.) It is convenient to translate right ascension numbers not only to day numbers (based on a full cycle equal to 365¼ days) but also to give the corresponding glyph numbers in G, given that Rogo at Gb6-26 represents day number 1 (and also given that each glyph represents one day). The visual magnitudes could be of value and for that purpose I have used information from Wikipedia. The first star with a low right ascension, which I can find in the alphabetical order given in my book, is Achird, and I include some possibly relevant glyphs for comparison and also some comments from Allen:
Allen does not mention Achird and he has no other name for η Cassiopejae, but I guess the star could be connected with α Leonis, Regulus, once named Achir (Possessing Luminous Rays): "Naturally sharing the character of its constellation as the Domicilium Solia, in Euphratean astronomy it was Gus-ba-ra, the Flame, or the Red Fire, of the House of the East; in Khorasmia, Achir, Possessing Luminous Rays; and throughout classical days the supposed cause of the summer's heat, a reputation that it shared with the Dog-star." There are 5 flames at the top in Gb7-8, a pu glyph without holes - holes which are 'plugged' ('hilled up', puo). The distance to Regulus at right ascension 10h 06m (= day 153.7) is 141 days. From Gb7-8 to the end of side b there are 54 glyphs and glyph number 141 - 54 = 87 is Ga4-3:
Spring equinox south of the equator is day number 87 counted from winter solstice and possibly henua in Ga4-3 marks this cardinal point. Regulus could very well be represented by Ga4-5--6. The 'takaure' season (winter) evidently (according to our earlier investigations) ends with Ga4-2. Winter could then be described not as season of dry vegetation ('straw') but as a season with dry insects ('souls of the unborn'): ... From a religious point of view, the high regard for flies, whose increase or reduction causes a similar increase or reduction in the size of the human population, is interesting, even more so because swarms of flies are often a real nuisance on Easter Island, something most visitors have commented on in vivid language. The explanation seems to be that there is a parallel relationship between flies and human souls, in this case, the souls of the unborn. There is a widespread belief throughout Polynesia that insects are the embodiment of numinous beings, such as gods or the spirits of the dead, and this concept extends into Southeast Asia, where insects are seen as the embodiment of the soul ... The 5 flames of fire in Gb7-8 could visualize how Sun no longer is going in and out each day, how his holes of entrance and exit are blocked, and how Sun is behind the world mountain, north of the equator. I have above suggested a plausible (but not proven) correlation between the star η Cassiopejae and this time of the year. At any rate I think we can eliminate the question marks at the names Achird and Achir - the pair of glyphs Gb7-8--9 are presumably connected with the pair of glyphs Ga4-5--6. |
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