Wei Yue Yan (Peril Lunar Swallow)

Wei Xiù (the Wei Constellation) is the fifth of the Seven Northern Xuanwu Constellations (Xuanwu, the Dark Warrior, one of the Four Celestial Emblems in Chinese cosmology), associated with the Moon and personified as a dark swallow. 'Wei' signifies loftiness and peril; the three stars of the Wei Constellation form a shape resembling a roof ridge. In Daoist tradition, Wei Xiù is venerated as Lord Wei Yue Yan. According to classical astrological interpretation, the Wei Constellation governs matters related to architecture, construction of dwellings, and coffins; on days ruled by Wei, climbing to high or hazardous places is considered inauspicious. Because swallows are auspicious birds in folk belief, people worship Lord Wei Yue Yan to secure domestic peace and transform crises into safety. The Wei Constellation, together with the Xu Constellation (the Empty Constellation), jointly presides over the northern Xuanwu celestial region.