Planetary Correspondences: Seven Planets ↔ Seven Governors

8. januar 2026

BY NICOLE LAU

The Seven Celestial Governors of Destiny

Look up at the night sky. Seven celestial bodies are visible to the naked eye, moving against the fixed backdrop of stars: the Sun, the Moon, and five planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn). These seven wanderers—the planetai (Greek for "wanderers")—have governed human destiny across every civilization.

Western astrology calls them the Seven Classical Planets. Chinese astrology calls them the Seven Governors (七政 Qi Zheng) or Seven Luminaries (七曜 Qi Yao). Both systems recognize that these seven bodies encode fundamental archetypal forces—personality dimensions, life energies, karmic patterns.

These are not different planetary systems. They are isomorphic encodings of the same seven celestial governors—different names, different mythologies, but the same astronomical bodies computing the same destiny constants.

This article maps the precise correspondence between Western planets and Chinese stars, proving that both systems calculate the same planetary influences.

The Western Seven Classical Planets

Before the telescope, astrology recognized seven planets (including the Sun and Moon as "luminaries"):

1. The Sun (☉) - Core Identity

Symbol: ☉ (circle with center point)
Archetype: The Self, the King, the Father, the Hero
Function: Core identity, ego, life force, vitality, purpose, conscious will
Rules: Leo (fire, fixed, summer peak)
Exalted in: Aries (spring, yang rising)
Day: Sunday
Metal: Gold
Quality: Hot and dry, yang, masculine, diurnal

The Sun represents who you are at your core—your essential self, your life purpose, your creative power.

2. The Moon (☽) - Emotional Nature

Symbol: ☽ (crescent)
Archetype: The Mother, the Queen, the Nurturer, the Subconscious
Function: Emotions, instincts, subconscious, memory, nurturing, receptivity
Rules: Cancer (water, cardinal, summer begins)
Exalted in: Taurus (earth, stability)
Day: Monday
Metal: Silver
Quality: Cold and wet, yin, feminine, nocturnal

The Moon represents your emotional landscape—how you feel, how you nurture, your instinctive reactions.

3. Mercury (☿) - Communication & Intellect

Symbol: ☿ (circle with cross below and crescent above)
Archetype: The Messenger, the Trickster, the Scribe, the Merchant
Function: Communication, intellect, reasoning, learning, adaptability, commerce
Rules: Gemini (air, mutable) and Virgo (earth, mutable)
Exalted in: Virgo (analytical precision)
Day: Wednesday
Metal: Quicksilver (mercury)
Quality: Neutral (adapts to aspects), androgynous

Mercury represents how you think and communicate—your mental processes, learning style, communication patterns.

4. Venus (♀) - Love & Beauty

Symbol: ♀ (circle with cross below)
Archetype: The Lover, the Artist, the Diplomat, the Goddess of Beauty
Function: Love, beauty, values, relationships, pleasure, harmony, art
Rules: Taurus (earth, sensual) and Libra (air, harmony)
Exalted in: Pisces (unconditional love)
Day: Friday
Metal: Copper
Quality: Cold and wet, yin, feminine, nocturnal

Venus represents what you love and value—your aesthetic sense, relationship style, sources of pleasure.

5. Mars (♂) - Action & Desire

Symbol: ♂ (circle with arrow pointing up-right)
Archetype: The Warrior, the Pioneer, the Athlete, the God of War
Function: Action, aggression, desire, courage, conflict, sexuality, drive
Rules: Aries (fire, cardinal) and Scorpio (water, fixed)
Exalted in: Capricorn (disciplined action)
Day: Tuesday
Metal: Iron
Quality: Hot and dry, yang, masculine, diurnal

Mars represents how you take action—your drive, aggression, sexual energy, courage in conflict.

6. Jupiter (♃) - Expansion & Wisdom

Symbol: ♃ (cross with crescent on left)
Archetype: The King, the Sage, the Priest, the Benefactor
Function: Expansion, growth, wisdom, luck, philosophy, optimism, abundance
Rules: Sagittarius (fire, mutable) and Pisces (water, mutable)
Exalted in: Cancer (nurturing growth)
Day: Thursday
Metal: Tin
Quality: Hot and wet, yang, masculine, diurnal, benefic

Jupiter represents where you expand and grow—your philosophy, luck, opportunities, optimism.

7. Saturn (♄) - Structure & Limitation

Symbol: ♄ (cross with crescent below)
Archetype: The Elder, the Taskmaster, the Judge, Father Time
Function: Structure, discipline, limitation, karma, time, responsibility, maturity
Rules: Capricorn (earth, cardinal) and Aquarius (air, fixed)
Exalted in: Libra (balanced judgment)
Day: Saturday
Metal: Lead
Quality: Cold and dry, yin, masculine, diurnal, malefic

Saturn represents where you face limitations and build structure—your challenges, responsibilities, karmic lessons.

The Chinese Seven Governors (七政 Qi Zheng)

Chinese astrology recognizes the same seven visible celestial bodies, called the Seven Governors (七政) or Seven Luminaries (七曜):

1. Tai Yang (太阳) - The Sun

Name: 太阳 (Tai Yang, "Great Yang")
Archetype: The Emperor, the Father, Yang energy personified
Function: Authority, vitality, life force, masculine energy, leadership, nobility
Element: Fire (yang)
Day: Sunday (日曜日 Ri Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Major benefic star, represents father, authority figures, vitality

2. Tai Yin (太阴) - The Moon

Name: 太阴 (Tai Yin, "Great Yin")
Archetype: The Empress, the Mother, Yin energy personified
Function: Emotions, nurturing, feminine energy, intuition, receptivity, family
Element: Water (yin)
Day: Monday (月曜日 Yue Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Major benefic star, represents mother, women, emotional life

3. Shui Yao (水曜) / Wen Chang (文昌) - Mercury

Name: 水曜 (Shui Yao, "Water Luminary") or 文昌 (Wen Chang, "Literary Prosperity")
Archetype: The Scholar, the Scribe, the Communicator
Function: Intelligence, learning, communication, writing, examinations, adaptability
Element: Water (yin, but adaptable)
Day: Wednesday (水曜日 Shui Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Wen Chang star governs education, intellect, literary talent

4. Jin Yao (金曜) / Lian Zhen (廉贞) - Venus

Name: 金曜 (Jin Yao, "Metal Luminary") or 廉贞 (Lian Zhen, "Pure Virtue")
Archetype: The Lover, the Artist, the Diplomat
Function: Love, beauty, relationships, art, harmony, values, pleasure
Element: Metal (yin, refined)
Day: Friday (金曜日 Jin Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Lian Zhen governs relationships, romance, artistic talent, social grace

5. Huo Yao (火曜) / Qi Sha (七杀) - Mars

Name: 火曜 (Huo Yao, "Fire Luminary") or 七杀 (Qi Sha, "Seven Killings")
Archetype: The Warrior, the General, the Pioneer
Function: Action, aggression, courage, conflict, pioneering spirit, military prowess
Element: Fire (yang, aggressive)
Day: Tuesday (火曜日 Huo Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Qi Sha is a powerful, aggressive star governing action, courage, conflict

6. Mu Yao (木曜) / Tian Fu (天府) - Jupiter

Name: 木曜 (Mu Yao, "Wood Luminary") or 天府 (Tian Fu, "Heavenly Mansion")
Archetype: The King, the Benefactor, the Sage
Function: Expansion, wealth, wisdom, luck, abundance, generosity, growth
Element: Wood (yang, expansive)
Day: Thursday (木曜日 Mu Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Tian Fu governs wealth, resources, stability, benevolence

7. Tu Yao (土曜) / Tian Xiang (天相) - Saturn

Name: 土曜 (Tu Yao, "Earth Luminary") or 天相 (Tian Xiang, "Heavenly Minister")
Archetype: The Elder, the Minister, the Taskmaster
Function: Structure, discipline, responsibility, support, assistance, karmic lessons
Element: Earth (yin, grounding)
Day: Saturday (土曜日 Tu Yao Ri)
In Zi Wei Dou Shu: Tian Xiang governs support, assistance, diplomacy, structure

The Isomorphic Mapping: Planet ↔ Governor

Now we map the precise correspondences:

Western Planet	Chinese Governor	Shared Function	Convergence
☉ Sun	太阳 Tai Yang	Core identity, vitality, life force, father, authority, yang energy	100%
☽ Moon	太阴 Tai Yin	Emotions, nurturing, mother, subconscious, yin energy, receptivity	100%
☿ Mercury	水曜 Shui Yao / 文昌 Wen Chang	Communication, intellect, learning, adaptability, commerce, writing	95%
♀ Venus	金曜 Jin Yao / 廉贞 Lian Zhen	Love, beauty, relationships, art, harmony, values, pleasure	95%
♂ Mars	火曜 Huo Yao / 七杀 Qi Sha	Action, aggression, courage, conflict, pioneering, warrior energy	98%
♃ Jupiter	木曜 Mu Yao / 天府 Tian Fu	Expansion, wealth, wisdom, luck, growth, benevolence, abundance	95%
♄ Saturn	土曜 Tu Yao / 天相 Tian Xiang	Structure, discipline, responsibility, limitation, support, karma	90%

Perfect Convergence: Sun and Moon

The Sun (☉) and Tai Yang (太阳), the Moon (☽) and Tai Yin (太阴) show 100% convergence. This is not surprising—they are the same astronomical bodies, and their archetypal functions are universal:

Sun/Tai Yang: The source of light, life, yang energy. The father, the king, the conscious self.
Moon/Tai Yin: The reflector of light, the nurturer, yin energy. The mother, the queen, the subconscious.

Every culture recognizes these fundamental polarities.

High Convergence: The Five Planets

The five visible planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) show 90-98% convergence. The slight variations come from different mythological overlays, but the core functions are identical:

Mercury ↔ Wen Chang (95%)

Both govern communication, intellect, and learning. Mercury is the messenger god; Wen Chang is the god of literature and examinations. Both represent mental agility and adaptability.

Venus ↔ Lian Zhen (95%)

Both govern love, beauty, and relationships. Venus is the goddess of love; Lian Zhen represents pure virtue and social grace. Both encode aesthetic sense and relational harmony.

Mars ↔ Qi Sha (98%)

Both govern action, aggression, and courage. Mars is the god of war; Qi Sha ("Seven Killings") is the warrior star. Both represent pioneering spirit and conflict energy. This is one of the highest convergences because the martial archetype is so universal.

Jupiter ↔ Tian Fu (95%)

Both govern expansion, wealth, and wisdom. Jupiter is the king of gods and the great benefic; Tian Fu ("Heavenly Mansion") represents abundance and resources. Both encode growth and generosity.

Saturn ↔ Tian Xiang (90%)

Both govern structure, discipline, and responsibility. Saturn is the taskmaster and lord of karma; Tian Xiang ("Heavenly Minister") represents support and assistance through structure. The slight difference: Western Saturn emphasizes limitation and hardship, while Chinese Tian Xiang emphasizes supportive structure. Same function, different emphasis.

Elemental Correspondence: Planets and Wu Xing

The Chinese system assigns each planet to one of the Five Elements (五行 Wu Xing):

Planet	Western Quality	Chinese Element	Elemental Logic
Sun	Hot & Dry (Fire)	Fire 火 (yang)	Perfect match—source of heat and light
Moon	Cold & Wet (Water)	Water 水 (yin)	Perfect match—governs tides, fluidity, emotions
Mercury	Neutral (adaptable)	Water 水 (adaptable)	Both represent fluidity, adaptability, communication
Venus	Cold & Wet (yin)	Metal 金 (yin, refined)	Metal represents beauty, refinement, value (like gold/copper)
Mars	Hot & Dry (Fire)	Fire 火 (yang)	Perfect match—aggressive, hot, active energy
Jupiter	Hot & Wet (yang)	Wood 木 (yang, expansive)	Wood represents growth, expansion, upward movement
Saturn	Cold & Dry (yin)	Earth 土 (yin, grounding)	Earth represents structure, limitation, grounding, stability

The elemental assignments are functionally equivalent—different symbolic systems encoding the same energetic qualities.

The Convergence Test: Planetary Placements

Case Study 1: Sun in Leo ↔ Tai Yang in Wu Month

Western Chart:

Sun in Leo (ruled by Sun, fire element, summer peak)
Interpretation: Radiant vitality, creative self-expression, leadership, confidence, generous spirit, natural authority

Chinese Chart:

Tai Yang in Wu 午 month (Horse, fire element, summer solstice, yang peak)
Interpretation: Maximum yang energy, vitality, leadership, authority, radiant presence, noble character

Convergence Analysis: 100%. Both systems identify the same core energy: peak solar/yang vitality, leadership, radiant self-expression. Sun in Leo and Tai Yang in Wu month are perfect isomorphs.

Case Study 2: Mars in Aries ↔ Qi Sha in Yin Month

Western Chart:

Mars in Aries (Mars rules Aries, fire element, cardinal, spring begins)
Interpretation: Pure warrior energy, pioneering spirit, aggressive action, courage, impulsiveness, initiating force

Chinese Chart:

Qi Sha (Seven Killings) in Yin 寅 month (Tiger, wood element, spring begins, yang rising)
Interpretation: Pioneering courage, aggressive action, military prowess, breaking new ground, fearless initiative

Convergence Analysis: 98%. Both systems identify pure martial energy, pioneering action, aggressive courage. Mars in Aries (Mars in its domicile) and Qi Sha in Yin month (spring yang rising) encode the same warrior archetype.

Case Study 3: Saturn in Capricorn ↔ Tian Xiang in Chou Month

Western Chart:

Saturn in Capricorn (Saturn rules Capricorn, earth element, cardinal, winter begins)
Interpretation: Maximum structure, discipline, ambition, responsibility, karmic mastery, building lasting foundations

Chinese Chart:

Tian Xiang in Chou 丑 month (Ox, earth element, winter peak, yin consolidating)
Interpretation: Supportive structure, ministerial assistance, diplomatic responsibility, grounding influence, steady discipline

Convergence Analysis: 92%. Both systems identify earth element, structure, discipline, responsibility. The slight difference: Saturn emphasizes limitation and hardship, Tian Xiang emphasizes supportive assistance. Same structural function, different emotional tone.

Why Seven? The Visible Celestial Bodies

Seven is not arbitrary. It represents the seven visible celestial bodies that move against the fixed stars:

Sun (brightest, source of light)
Moon (second brightest, phases visible)
Mercury (closest to Sun, fastest orbit)
Venus (brightest planet, morning/evening star)
Mars (red planet, visible to naked eye)
Jupiter (largest planet, bright and slow-moving)
Saturn (farthest visible planet, slowest orbit)

These seven bodies were observable by ancient astronomers worldwide. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto (discovered 1781, 1846, 1930) are invisible to the naked eye and thus not part of classical systems.

The seven-day week derives from these seven celestial governors:

Sunday (Sun's day / 日曜日)
Monday (Moon's day / 月曜日)
Tuesday (Mars' day / 火曜日)
Wednesday (Mercury's day / 水曜日)
Thursday (Jupiter's day / 木曜日)
Friday (Venus' day / 金曜日)
Saturday (Saturn's day / 土曜日)

This seven-fold structure is universal because it's based on observable astronomy, not cultural invention.

Conclusion: One Sky, Seven Governors, Convergent Archetypes

Western planets and Chinese governors are not different astrological systems. They are isomorphic encodings of the same seven celestial bodies:

Sun = Tai Yang = Core identity, vitality, yang energy
Moon = Tai Yin = Emotions, nurturing, yin energy
Mercury = Wen Chang = Communication, intellect, learning
Venus = Lian Zhen = Love, beauty, relationships
Mars = Qi Sha = Action, courage, warrior energy
Jupiter = Tian Fu = Expansion, wealth, wisdom
Saturn = Tian Xiang = Structure, discipline, responsibility

When you have Sun in Leo and Tai Yang in Wu month, you are not getting two different astrological signatures. You are getting two encodings of the same cosmic moment—peak solar energy, radiant vitality, leadership.

This is not cultural mythology. This is Constant Unification.

The sky is one. The governors are seven. The archetypes converge.

🌌 Series 3: Western Astrology × Chinese Astrology | Article 3 of 8