Astrology and Divination in a Chronicle from the Tangut Collection of IOM, RAS. Preface, Translation from Tangut and Commentary

Abstract

Manuscript Tang 1770 (11th–13th centuries) from the IOM, RAS Collection is an astrological and mantic text. It has no beginning, where we could possibly find the text’s title, but its end has survived, so we know the name of its author or compiler. Its handwriting is quite clear and structure is also easy to read and understand, which is rarely the case with Tangut books. Judging from its grammar and lexical characteristics, it appears to be an original Tangut text rather than a translation from Chinese or Tibetan. Content-wise, this work offers a description of the agricultural calendar cycle, its beginning and ending, and significant mantic and astrological characteristics of every cycle. We also find here the elements of a year-by-year chronicle: some evidence of everyday life and real facts from Xixia history. There are also some interesting language traits which deserve further research. All these aspects make this text a very important written source for the Tangut studies.