Star Names
The Sheath of the Penis of the Lion (qunb al-asad)
The Sheath of the Penis (al-qunb) is part of the Arabian megaconstellation of the Lion (al-asad). It lies between the two stars of the Mane (az-zubra) and the stars of the Two Haunches (al-warakan).
The Sheath of the Penis of the Lion (qunb al-asad) as it appears in the west about 45 minutes before sunrise in early March. Sky simulations made with Stellarium.
Appearance
A solitary bright star that comes right after the Mane (az-zubra).
Modern Identification
β LEO (Denebola), white star, magnitude 2.1
Timing
Ibn Qutayba (d. 879 CE) reported that the Weather Change was said to rise on the morning of September 10 and set on the morning of March 10. On account of the precession of the equinoxes, today we can expect to observe the Sheath of the Penis of the Lion setting in mid-April and rising in late September, as seen from the latitude of Tucson. (See How to Observe on the About page for more on this topic.)
Rain Stars
The Sheath of the Penis of the Lion does not figure in the calendar of the rains stars. However, as the Weather Change, the same star marks the end of the warm spring rainy season (ad-dafa’i) and the turn toward summer (as-sayf).
Lunar Stations
The Sheath of the Penis of the Lion is not one of the lunar stations, but in early listings of the lunar stations, the Weather Change is the 12th station of the year.
Related Stars and Celestial Complexes
The Sheath of the Penis (qunb al-asad, قنب الأسد) is part of the Lion (al-asad, الأسد) folkloric celestial complex, which extends from the Two Forearms (adh-dhira’an, الذراعان) to the Two Shanks (as-saqan, الساقان).
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