noun
Rigel; Beta Orionis
Japanese name for the star Rigel in the constellation Orion. The name 源氏星 (Genji star) comes from the white color associated with the Genji clan in the Genpei War.
See also: リゲル
オリオン座の源氏星は、冬の夜空でひときわ明るく輝く。
Rigel, the Genji star in Orion, shines especially bright in the winter night sky.
平家星 is the Japanese name for Betelgeuse, the red star in Orion, contrasting with the white 源氏星.
The name 源氏星 (Genji star) derives from the white banner of the Genji clan in the Genpei War, as Rigel appears white. The contrasting red star Betelgeuse is called 平家星 (Heike star) after the red banner of the Heike clan.