Dou Yi窦仪

Where the histories differ

The Astronomical Treatise and the Biography of Dou Family: A Case of Mistaken Identity Regarding an Expert in Astronomy

• histories differThe 'Treatise on Astronomy' in the History of Song states that among early Song civil officials, 'Dou Yi was known for astronomy,' but the 'Biography of Dou Yi' in the History of Song does not record his knowledge of astronomy; instead, in the biography of his younger brother Dou Yan, it is clearly recorded that Dou Yan 'was especially skilled in astronomical calculations and could predict fortune and misfortune.' The 'Treatise on Astronomy' clearly misattributes the younger brother's expertise to the elder brother.

  In the 'Treatise on Astronomy' of the History of Song, when describing the officials who were proficient in astronomy and astrology in the early Song Dynasty, it says: 'At the beginning of the Song's rise, among close ministers like Chu Zhaofu, and civil officials like Dou Yi, they were known for astronomy.' However, upon reading the full text of the 'Biography of Dou Yi' in the History of Song, there is no record of Dou Yi's proficiency in astronomy. Instead, in the attached biography of his younger brother Dou Yan in the same volume, it is clearly written: '(Yan) was especially skilled in astronomical calculations and could predict fortune and misfortune. When Lu Duoxun and Yang Huizhi were both serving as remonstrance officials, Yan once said to them: 'In the year of Dingmao, the five planets will gather in the constellation Kui, and from then on, the world will be at peace...' From this, it can be known that the civil official in the Dou family who was proficient in astronomy and astrology in the early Song was actually the younger brother Dou Yan. The 'Treatise on Astronomy' attributing this to the elder brother 'Dou Yi' is a clear case of mistaken identity and error.