Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 139

Divination of the Sun (Part II)

Page 7

If a Back-arc original: Bei (背); an atmospheric arc curving away from the sun, seen as a sign of discord appears below the sun, it signifies a revolt by the Military Commissioner original: Jiedushi (節度使); powerful regional military governors within fifty days. It will take five years for the world to find peace again. When two armies face one another, the side located in the direction of the Back-arc will suffer defeat.

If the sun has a Back-arc with Jasper Rings original: Bei Qiong (背璚); a complex optical phenomenon where arcs curving away from the sun are combined with ring-like fragments to its south or in any of the other three cardinal directions, the state has rebellious officials. If, on a single day, several Back-arcs with Jasper Rings appear together, appearing inverted and penetrating through one another, calamities will arise from below and the Son of Heaven the Emperor will be destroyed.

If the sun has four Back-arcs with Jasper Rings with a straight line crossing through the middle, it indicates that ministers desire to commit evil acts.

• If the color is blue in the center and red on the outside, and there are sharp rays original: Mangci (芒刺); literally "thorns," referring to radiating needles of light, it signifies an active rebellion.
• If the color is red in the center and blue on the outside without sharp rays, it signifies a secret plot.

If this atmospheric vapor is seen frequently, the state is in grave danger. If the sharp rays point outward, the external forces will be victorious; if they point inward, the internal forces will prevail.

If the sun has two Back-arcs and one straight line, a high-ranking minister intends to declare himself an independent ruler.

If there are four Back-arcs with Jasper Rings, it signifies a "minister shooting the master" a metaphorical or literal assassination attempt or a direct coup against the sovereign. It is also said: Civil war will break out within the borders.