The Coelum Stellatum Christianum is a star atlas published in 1627 by Julius Schiller ( 1580–1627), with the collaboration of Johann Bayer (1572–1625). In the treatise, which was published by Andreas Aperger at Augsburg during the same year as Schiller's death, pagan constellations were replaced with biblical figures and Christian motifs. Schiller replaced the zodiac constellations with the Twelve Apostles, the northern constellations with New Testament figures, and the southern constellations with Old Testament figures.
The planets, the Sun, and the Moon were also replaced by biblical figures: The Sun is replaced by Jesus Christ. The Moon is replaced by Mary. Mercury is replaced by Elijah. Venus is replaced by John the Baptist. Mars is replaced by Joshua. Jupiter is replaced by Moses. Saturn is replaced by Adam.
The engravings in the atlas were by Lucas Kilian.
Constellations New Testament In general, New Testament figures and motifs correspond with constellations located to the north of the ecliptic:
No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum (English) Coelum Stellatum Christianum (Latin) Image I Ursa Minor Saint Michael the Archangel, head of the army Sancti Michaelis Archangeli, Principis Militiæ II Ursa Major Barque of Saint Peter the Apostle Naviculæ S. Petri Apostoli III Draco The Holy Innocent Children Sanctorum Innocentum Puerorum IV Cepheus Saint Stephen the Protomartyr Sancti Stephani Protomaryris V a. Bootes Saint Sylvester, Supreme Pontiff Sancti Silvestri Pontificis Max V b. Coma Berenices Whip of Christ the Lord Flagelli XPI Domini VI Corona Borealis The awful and thorny royal Crown of Christ the King of kings Tremendæ et Spineæ XPI Regis Regum Coronæ VII Hercules The Three Holy Kings Sanctorum Trium Regum VIII Lyra The thrice reverend Manger of Christ the Saviour Ter Venerandi Præsepii Salvatoris Christi IX Cygnus The salvific and thrice-great Cross of Christ with its august discoverer, Saint Helena Salutiferæ et Termagnæ Crucis XPI cum Augusta Eius Inventrice S. Helena X Cassiopeia Saint Mary Magdalene Sanctæ Mariæ Magdalenæ XI Perseus Saint Paul the Apostle and teacher of the nations Sancti Pauli Apostoli Gentiumque Doctoris XII Auriga Saint Jerome, Doctor of the Church Sancti Hieroymi Ecclesiæ Doctoris XIII Ophiuchus The Holy Father Benedict among the brambles Sancti Patris Benedicti Inter Spinas XIV Serpens Brambles of Saint Benedict Spinarum S. Benedicti XV Sagitta Most Holy Nails and Lance of Christ the Lord crucified Sanctiss. Clavorum et Lanceæ Christi Domini Crucifixi XVI Aquila Saint Catherine the Virgin and Martyr Sanctæ Catarinæ Virginis et Martyris XVII Delphinus Water jug of Cana in which water was turned to wine Hydriæ Chananeæ aquæ in vinum versæ XVIII Equuleus Mystic Rose or rose-branch Rose Mysticæ sive frondis rosæ XIX Pegasus Saint Gabriel the Archangel Sancti Gabrielis Archangelæ XX Andromeda Sepulchre of Christ Triumphant Sepulchri XPI Triumphatoris XXI Triangulum Papal mitre of Saint Peter Mitræ Pontificalis S. Petri XXXIV Cetus Saints Joachim and Anne, Parents of the Mother of God Sanctorum Joachimi et Annæ Parentum Deiparæ XXXVI Orion Saint Joseph, Husband of Mary Sancti Joseph Viri Mariæ
Old Testament In general, Old Testament figures and motifs were applied to constellations to the south of the ecliptic:
No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum (English) Coelum Stellatum Christianum (Latin) Image XXXV Eridanus Israel crossing even through the Red Sea Transitus Israel Nempe per Mare Rubrum XXXVII a. Lepus Fleece of Gideon Velleris Gideonis XXXVII b. Columba Noah's dove Columbæ Noachi XXXVIII Canis Major Holy King David Sancti Regis Davidis XXXIX Canis Minor Paschal Lamb Agni Paschalis XL Puppis, Carina, Vela, Pyxis (Argo Navis) The patriarch Noah's Ark Archæ Patriarchæ Noachi XLI Hydra Jordan River (not to be confused with Jordanus) Iordanis Fluvii XLII and XLIII Crater, Corvus Holy Ark of the Covenant Sanctæ Arcæ Foederis XLIV Centaurus Holy patriarchs Abraham and Isaac Sanctorum Patriarcharum Abrahami et Isaaci XLV Lupus Holy patriarch Israel or Jacob Sancti Israelis Sive Jacobi Patriarchæ XLVI Ara Altar of offerings Altaris Thymiamatis XLVII Corona Australis Crown of King Solomon Diadematis Regis Salomonis XLVIII Piscis Austrinus Flour barrel of the widow of Zarephath Hydriæ Farinæ Sarepthanæ Viduæ XLIX Grus, Phoenix The high priest Aaron Aaronis Summi Sacerodotis L Pavo, Indus Job, servant of God Servi Dei Iob LI Musca Eve, mother of all living [people] Evæ Matris Cunctorum Viventium LII Triangulum Australe Mystic sign of tau Signi Mystici Tav LIII Volans, Dorado The righteous Abel Abbelis Iusti LIV Tucana, Hydrus Saint Raphael the Archangel Sancti Raphaelis Archangeli
Apostles The twelve zodiac signs were replaced by the Twelve Apostles, with Judas Iscariot excluded and replaced by Saint Matthias:
No. IAU constellation Coelum Stellatum Christianum (English) Coelum Stellatum Christianum (Latin) Image XXII Aries Saint Peter, Prince of the Apostles Sancti Petri Principus Apostolorum XXIII Taurus Saint Andrew the Apostle Sancti Andreæ Apostoli XXIV Gemini Saint James the Elder the Apostle Sancti Iacobi Maioris Apostoli XXV Cancer Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist Sancti Ioannis Apostoli et Evangelistæ XXVI Leo Saint Thomas the Apostle Sancti Thomæ Apostoli XXVII Virgo Saint James the Younger the Apostle Sancti Jacobi Minoris Apostoli XXVIII Libra Saint Philip the Apostle Sancti Philippi Apostoli XXIX Scorpius Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Sancti Bartholoomæ Apostoli XXX Sagittarius Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist Sancti Matthæi Apostoli et Evangelistæ XXXI Capricornus Saint Simon the Zealot the Apostle Sancti Simonis Zelotis Apostoli XXXII Aquarius Saint Jude Thaddeus the Apostle Sancti Ivdæ Thadæi Apostoli XXXIII Pisces Saint Matthias the Apostle Sancti Matthiæ Apostoli
See also Uranometria Harmonia Macrocosmica
References
External links
Coelum Stellatum Christianum (1627), from the Library of Congress Atlas Coelestis