Semiological Analysis of Yongjia Comet:

How were Astronomical Observations Affecting Ancient Chinese Politics

In 2023, an unpublished song was played by the Omnipotent Youth Society, a Chinese Rock Band in a live concert. The song is called Yongjia Comet. Intrigued by its artistry, I looked into the elements in the performance. It turns out this is not only a song but also a testament that allows us to peek into the power struggle inside ancient Chinese imperialistic regimes. By analyzing this song, this essay will illustrate how media not only represent reality but also invade reality by altering the behaviors of human.

In western history, comet has been a sign of war and death. The Halley’s Comet has been associated with the Norman Conquest of England 1066, the Great comet of 1811 associated with Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, and more.

In ancient China, similar conception was also shown. Different astronomical phenomena were taken as signs from heaven. Heaven, from the ancient Chinese’s understanding of the world, has a direct connection with the people. In Zhou Yi, it was written that “What is conceived in the heaven will be formed on earth,” (在天成象，在地成形)(周易·系辞上) meaning that in ancient Chinese society, astronomical or any natural phenomena that are incomprehensible are closely related to a dynasty’s destiny. To better understand the associations between mandate and astronomical phenomenon, Tianguanxue, a study of the documentations and interpretations of astronomical events was learned all the way from 122 BCE. In the Han dynasty, court historian Simaqian recorded multiple occasions of comets relating to warfare in his works.

“Covering the two hundred and forty-two years of the Spring and Autumn period,…comets were seen three times.”(盖略以春秋二百四十二年之间，……，彗星三见)(司马迁·天官书)

“At the time of Qin Shi Huang, the comet was seen four times in fifteen years,…Qin then wiped out the six kings with soldiers, united China, and the four provinces were slaughtered, and the dead were like a mess.”(秦始皇之时，十五年彗星四见。其后秦遂以兵灭六王，并中国，外攘四夷，死人如乱麻)(司马迁·天官书)

Comet, as an ill-bode, also developed an extended interpretation----transferring power.

“Comet, in addition to the meaning between the old and the new, it should also signify change.” Gaoshen, the emperor of the Qi dynasty, hearing this from the Court Historian, soon transferred his throne to his son. (彗，除旧布新之象，当有易主)(北齐太史)

Thus, ancient Chinese officials deem comet a sign of political turmoil or even subversion of a dynasty. The emperor, afraid of the nemesis and aware of any improper governance, will either change in the style of governance or resign his power.

Analyzing the song, its composition is structured by a repetitive chorus with progressing speed and pitch, which corresponds to the progression of the army. The music for the marching army is known as Guchui (鼓吹) in ancient Chinese society to boost the soldiers’ morale.

The song also hints at this connection between comet and political turmoil quite explicitly with its iconic cover featuring an ancient sculpture of a marching military band. Yonjia, the era name of Emperor Huai of Jin, in the context of the song, refers to the incident that subverted the Yongjia era----disaster of Yongjia. During the Yongjia disaster, Xiongnu seized Luoyang, the capital of the Western Jin Dynasty, and killed the emperor and his descendants. Meanwhile, Xiongnu’s army committed massacres of the inhabitants of Luoyang city. Prior to this incident, the region has been in war for a long time. The War of the Eight Princes lasted 16 years from 291 to 306 AD with casualty of approximately exceeding 400,000 deaths. However, discerning comets in times of warfare is not only about consolidating superstitious beliefs.

In the cover of the song, the designer replaced the people in the marching band with heads of different animals. Among them wolf, …, tiger, …, and dhole can be identified. These animals hint at the degradation of humanities in periods of history with constant warfare. The Jin dynasty, a short-lived dynasty that lasted only 50 years roughly from 266 to 316 AD, was in war for 17 years. There were also refugees from past wars, constant riots, and multiple occasions of coup. The society was stratified due to hereditary aristocracy. In this despotic and strictly stratified society, the comet, in the name of the mandate, became a conduit of communication between the ministers and the august emperor

The Court historians and officials who observed astronomical phenomena were not simply documenting events but were also endowed with the power of arranging symbols and interpreting them in a way that could influence the emperor. Comet, in this sense, is not a superstitious ill-omen; rather, comet became a narrative tool for Tianguan (officials who observe astronomical events) to declare the negative public sentiments to the august emperor and restrain the ill characters of the emperor. Comet was made into a media in ancient Chinese political occasions, and rather than representing reality, it became a catalyst for reality. This catalytic quality of symbols and media also prevail in modern context, which would be an interesting field to delve into.