Cheonsang

Cheonsang is a Korean term (천상) literally meaning skies or heaven, and in scholarly usage it refers to celestial or heavenly matters. In historical contexts the word is used as a label for celestial diagrams and star maps that depict the heavens and were produced as part of Korea’s astronomical tradition. The term appears in various titles and descriptions related to East Asian astronomy, where it signals a connection to the sky and celestial observation.

The most prominent association is with Joseon-era celestial diagrams used by royal and scholarly astronomers. These diagrams functioned as maps of the night sky and served practical roles in calendrical calculations, timekeeping, and ritual astronomy. They typically arranged stars into constellations and layered grids to aid observation, orientation, and the determination of seasonal cycles. While influenced by Chinese astronomical practice, Korean diagrams often incorporated local conventions and stylistic elements.

In modern scholarship, Cheonsang is discussed as part of the broader history of East Asian astronomical mapping. Surviving copies and scholarly editions of related diagrams are studied to understand the methods of star cataloging, the mathematical systems behind the maps, and their role in calendrical and ritual activities in Korea. The term also appears in cultural contexts, where celestial imagery linked to the heavens remains a motif in literature and art.