Wen Qu, the Scholar Star
In a Nutshell
The lodge of examination honors, element Water — an auxiliary star of Zi Wei.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Element | Gui Water |
| Office | Lodge of examination honors (ke ming) |
| Type | Auxiliary star of the Northern Dipper; paired with Wen Chang as "Chang Qu" |
What is Wen Qu?
Wen Qu is an auxiliary star of Zi Wei Dou Shu, paired with Wen Chang as "Chang Qu." Elementally it belongs to Gui Water, an auxiliary star of the Northern Dipper group. Wen Qu and Wen Chang — one Water, one Metal, one north, one south — share the imagery of documents, examination honors, and talent; readings usually set them against each other, each completing the other.
The *Complete Book of Zi Wei Dou Shu* (Book 1, "Questions and Answers on the Stars") calls Wen Qu a Water star, the fourth of the Northern Dipper, "the lodge of examination honours and letters", that "works together with Wen Chang". It is usually read with Wen Chang as the pair Chang–Qu. The original passage is quoted below.
In a real chart, note which palace Wen Qu lands in and whether Wen Chang shares or faces it — an important detail in reading. Wen Qu takes on different traditional colorings in each of the twelve palaces, so study it together with the major star and the palace. A full Zi Wei chart lays out the stars and palaces at a glance. The old writings on Wen Qu run heavily on examination honors and talent and carry the coloring of their era; take the star's attributes and its structural ties. Read it against Wen Chang and feel out where the two agree and differ in the imagery of documents and honors.
Classical sources
"Wen Qu belongs to Water and is the fourth star of the Northern Dipper, the lodge of examination honours and letters. Its image is Water; working together with Wen Chang, it is most auspicious in a favourable chart."
Plain words: Wen Qu is Water, the fourth star of the Northern Dipper, governing examinations and letters, and works together with Wen Chang.
Source: *Zi Wei Dou Shu Quan Shu* (Complete Book of Zi Wei Dou Shu), Book 1, "Questions and Answers on the Stars" · "What does the Wen Qu star govern?" — original: 文曲属水，北斗第四星也，主科甲文车之宿。其象属水，与文昌同协，吉数最为祥。
*For entertainment purposes only.*