The Chinese word 星座 (xīngzuò), meaning "constellation", is a compound formed by combining two meaningful characters: 星 (xīng), which means "star", and 座 (zuò), which originally means "seat" or "place". Together, they create the conceptual meaning of a "star seat" or a designated area or grouping in the sky where stars appear to be fixed relative to each other, reflecting how ancient astronomers mapped the heavens by perceiving patterns as celestial figures occupying specific positions.