[18] Consequently, the Chinese name for Delta Ophiuchi itself is 天市右垣九 (Tiān Shì Yòu Yuán jiǔ, English: the Ninth Star of Right Wall of Heavenly Market Enclosure), representing the state of Liang (梁) (or Leang).

[19][20] Delta Ophiuchi has a stellar classification of M0.5 III,[4] making this a red giant star that has undergone expansion of its outer envelope after exhausting the supply of hydrogen at its core.

[9] At the estimated distance of Delta Ophiuchi, this yields a physical size of about 54 times the radius of the Sun.

[21] The effective temperature of the outer atmosphere of Delta Ophiuchi is a relatively cool 3,733 K,[9] which is what gives it the orange-red hue of an M-type star.

[10] The star has a high optical linear polarisation that increases from red to blue wavelengths and displays some variability, this has been ascribed to either an asymmetric distribution of dust grains in an envelope expelled from it, or the presence of photometric hot spots.