Xin Yue Hu (Heart Lunar Fox)

The Xin Mansion is the fifth of the Seven Lunar Mansions of the Azure Dragon of the East and is associated with the Moon, manifesting as a fiery fox. ‘Xin’ denotes the heart of the Azure Dragon and was anciently known as the Great Fire Star or the Shang Star—the famous classical allusion of the Shen and Shang stars originates from their mutual invisibility in the sky. In Daoist tradition, this mansion is venerated as Xin Yue Hu Xingjun. According to the Ming-dynasty novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods), the infamous Daji descended to earth as an incarnation of Xin Yue Hu to disrupt the Shang dynasty, leading folk sentiment toward Xin Xingjun to blend reverence with awe. Astrological lore holds that the Xin Mansion governs the Son of Heaven’s Hall of Enlightenment: when its light shines brightly, the realm attains unity of purpose and harmony. Devotees worship Xin Yue Hu Xingjun to seek mental clarity and smooth progress in all undertakings.