E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Star (in Christian art).
St. Bruno bears one on his breast; St. Dominic, St. Humbert, St. Peter of Alcan’tare, one over their head, or on their forehead, etc.
1
Star. The ensign of knightly rank. A star of some form constitutes part of the insignia of every order of knight-hood.
2
His star is in the ascendant. He is in luck’s way; said of a person to whom some good fortune has fallen and who is very prosperous. According to astrology, those leading stars which are above the horizon at a person’s birth influence his life and fortune; when those stars are in the ascendant, he is strong, healthy, and lucky; but when they are depressed below the horizon, his stars do not shine on him, he is in the shade and subject to ill-fortune.
3
“The star of Richelieu was still in the ascendant.”—St. Simon.
