Spectral and Luminosity Classification of Symbiotic Star Cool Components with Near-Infrared Photometry

We have used the absolutely calibrated Wing eight-color near-infrared photometric system to quantitatively derive spectral types and luminosity classes for the cool components of 12 symbiotic stars. We examine the advantages and limitations of the system as applied to symbiotic systems. We find that three systems, CI Cyg, T CrB, and S149, have CN strengths corresponding to luminosity class II. For several systems there is a correlation between photometric phase and measured spectral type.