The Fixed Stars

Markab

Alpha Pegasi, Al Markab

From the Arabic al-markab, the saddle, or the thing ridden upon. It stands at about 23° Pisces (tropical).

The saddle of the winged horse, the southwestern anchor of the Great Square.

Markab is Alpha Pegasi, taking its name from the Arabic al-markab, the saddle or the place of the rider, and it holds the southwestern corner of the Great Square. It is a blue-white star, steady and bright, one of the fixed points by which the square is known. Robson gives it the nature of Mars and Mercury and reads it as a star of steadiness turned to danger, bringing honor and good fortune tempered by ruin from fire, fever, cuts, and the hazards of the sea. It is a named star but not one of the Behenian.

Marks a corner of the Great Square. Robson's nature is Mars and Mercury. Not a Behenian star.