Persian Astronomy in China

Abstract

During the Tang dynasty (618–907 ce), a significant number of Persian nobles sought safety in China following the downfall of the Sasanian Empire in 651 ce. These Persians possessed a distinct cultural identity, which was highly esteemed by certain Chinese elites. In contrast to Indians who migrated to China during and before this period, with their influence primarily mediated through Buddhism, Persians played prominent roles in secular fields such as astronomy, medicine and commerce. This article explores the history of Persian astronomers in China, placing their presence within the broader context of knowledge exchange across Eurasia, with a focus on their lives, works and interactions with the Chinese. Although their impact on Chinese astronomy and culture may have been limited, their tradition later served as a precursor to the astral science of Perso-Islamic astronomers in China from the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368 ce) onwards. This is exemplified by a variety of Sino-Persian astral works such as the astronomical text Futian li 符天曆, the horoscopic treatise Yusi jing 聿斯經, the Ming astral anthology Mingyi tianwenshu 明譯天文書 and the Sino-Islamic Canon Huihui li 回回曆.