The Royal Stars, also known as the Royal Stars of Persia, are Aldebaran, Regulus, Antares, and Fomalhaut, four prominent stars that played a significant role in ancient astronomy and astrology. These stars were regarded as the celestial guardians of the sky during the time of the Persian Empire (550 BCE–330 BCE) and were considered markers of the four cardinal directions.[1]
The idea of these stars as "guardians" can be traced back to Babylonian astronomy, which significantly influenced Persian cosmology. The Persians further incorporated these stars into their Zoroastrian worldview, assigning them roles as watchers of the sky and associating them with seasonal transitions and divine entities.
- ^ Davis, George A. Jr. (April 1945). "The so-called Royal Stars of Persia". Popular Astronomy. LIII (4): 149. Bibcode:1945PA.....53..149D.