The Constellations in al-Ṣūfī’s Book of the Images of the Fixed Stars

  Constellations north of the zodiac
nr Arabic name translation IAU distinctive iconographical features
1 Sūrat al-Dubb al-asghar The Lesser Bear Ursa Minor  
2 Sūrat al-Dubb al-akbār The Larger Bear Ursa Major  
3 Sūrat al-Tinnīn The Dragon Draco  
4 Sūrat Qīqāwis [Kepheus] Cepheus often depicted with a conical hat (qalansuwah)
5 Sūrat al-‘Awwā The Howler Boötes often depicted with a raised sword
6 Sūrat al-Fakka The [Northern] Crown Corona Borealis  
7 Sūrat al-Jāthī ‘ala rukbatayhi The Kneeling Man Hercules often depicted with a scimitar
8 Sūrat al-Saliyāq The Lyre Lyra often depicted as a cup, urn or tortoise
9 Sūrat al-Dajāja The Fowl Cygnus  
10 Sūrat Dhāt al-kursī The Lady in a Chair Cassiopeia  
11 Sūrat Burshāws The Bearer of the Demon's Head Perseus  
12 Sūrat Mumsik al-a‘inna He who Holds the Reins Auriga  
13 Sūrat al-Hawwā The Serpent Charmer Ophiuchus  
14 Sūrat al-Hawwā wa al-Hayya The Snake of the Serpent Charmer Serpens  
15 Sūrat al-Sahm The Arrow Sagitta  
16 Sūrat al-‘Uqāb The Eagle Aquila  
17 Sūrat al-Dulfīn [Dolphin] Delphinus  
18 Sūrat Qit‘at al-Faras The Lesser Horse Equuleus  
19 Sūrat al-Faras al-a‘zam The Larger Horse Pegasus  
20 Sūrat al-Mar’āt al-musalsala The Chained Woman Andromeda sometimes depicted with chains on her feet
  Sūrat al-Faras al-ākhar The Horse    
21 Sūrat al-Muthallath The Triangle Triangulum  
  The zodiacal constellations
nr Arabic name translation IAU distinctive iconographical features
22 Sūrat al-Hamal The Ram Aries  
23 Sūrat al-Thawr The Bull Taurus  
24 Sūrat al-Taw’anīn The Twins Gemini often depicted as two nude female figures
25 Sūrat al-Saratān The Crab Cancer  
26 Sūrat al-Asad The Lion Leo  
27 Sūrat al-‘Adhrā The Virgin Virgo often depicted with angel's wings
28 Sūrat al-Mīzān The Balance Libra  
29 Sūrat al-‘Aqrab The Scorpion Scorpius  
30 Sūrat al-Qaws The Archer Sagittarius  
31 Sūrat al-Jady The Goat Capricornus always depicted with a coiled fish tail
32 Sūrat al-Dalw The Water Pourer Aquarius  
33 Sūrat al-Hūt The Fishes Pisces  
  Constellations south of the zodiac
nr Arabic name translation IAU distinctive iconographical features
34 Sūrat Qītas [Ketos] Cetus often depicted with a neck collar
35 Sūrat al-Jawzā The Giant Orion often depicted with a long-sleeved arm and a sword
36 Sūrat al-Nahr The River Eridanus  
37 Sūrat al-Arnab The Hare Lepus  
38 Sūrat al-Kalb al-akbar The Larger Dog Canis Major  
39 Sūrat al-Kalb al-asghar The Lesser Dog Canis Minor  
40 Sūrat al-Safīna The Ship [Argo Navis]  
41 Sūrat al-Shujā‘ The Large Snake Hydra  
42 Sūrat al-Bātya The Jar Crater  
43 Sūrat al-Ghurāb The Raven Corvus  
44 Sūrat Qītūrs [Kentauros] Centaurus always depicted holding a multi-leaved stalk
45 Sūrat al-Sabu‘ The Wild Beast Lupus  
46 Sūrat al-Mijmara The Incense Burner Ara  
47 Sūrat al-Iklīl al-janūbī The Southern Crown Corona Australis  
48 Sūrat al-Hūt al-janūbī The Southern Fish Piscis Austrinus  

Images of selected constellations

sūrat al-dubb al-asghar (Ursa Minor)
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Paris BNF Arabe 5036 Princeton UL Garrett 2259Y Washington LOC

 

sūrat al-dubb al-akbār (Ursa Major)
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Paris BNF Arabe 5036 Princeton UL Garrett 2259Y Washington LOC

 

sūrat al-dubb al-tinnīn (Draco)
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Paris BNF Arabe 5036 Princeton UL Garrett 2259Y Washington LOC