the modern dragon feng shui

INTRODUCTION

The I Ching is one of the oldest known Chinese texts of philosophy and divination, along with the Tao Te Ching. The I Ching is the most well-known classical Chinese work of ageless wisdom. The I Ching, translated, means Book of Changes and is the oldest text in Chinese history. 'Ching' means 'Tao', which means 'Truth', as in the truth of 'Heaven & Earth'. This philosophical concept of merging heaven and humanity into an organic whole is the foundation of Chinese culture. The principle of the I Ching is that everything is in a continuous process of change, and the objective of the I Ching is to learn about the laws of change to adapt to these changes. The I Ching is classified as a 'divination' practice designed to guide people through every possible event in life. 

📖 Origins of the I Ching
The I Ching does not have a single author, but the Eight Trigrams (Ba Gua), a foundational part of the text, are traditionally attributed to 'Fu Hsi', a mythical figure in Chinese history. Fu Hsi is said to have lived between 2800 and 2737 BCE (approximately 4,760 years ago). According to legend, he derived the trigrams by observing patterns in nature, including the markings on the back of a mysterious turtle. This story is closely linked to the 'Lo Shu Magic Square' and the 'Scroll of the River Lo' legend, which explores the origins of Chinese cosmology and metaphysics.

📖 Foundation of Taoism

. The wisdom of the I Ching has influenced numerous ancient philosophies and disciplines, and the complex body of knowledge serves as the foundation of Taoism. Even though widely known as a divination tool, the I Ching is much more than that. Conveying the rhythms and laws of the universe in a specific structure of 64 hexagrams, this ancient text opens the door to a deep understanding of human actions, desires and the inevitable nature of change. 

📖 Relationship to Feng Shui

Feng Shui is deeply intertwined with the I Ching, and these ancient practices are intrinsically related as they both concern the individual within their environment. Both practices offer insights into the flow of energy and the profound interconnectedness of all things. Feng Shui uses the 'Eight Trigrams', at the core of the 'Sixty Four Hexagram' system from the I Ching, allowing Feng Shui experts to position inhabitants in their best directional positions based on their birth date. 

📖 Eight Trigrams / Sixty Four Hexagrams

The eight initial trigrams 1.☰ 2.☳ 3.☵ 4.☵ 5. (no trigram being the centre square) 6.☷ 7.☴ 8.☲ 9.☱ found on the turtle's back later developed into sixty-four hexagrams. Each trigram has three lines, and these same three-lined symbols are grouped in 'pairs' to form a 'Hexagram'. The sixty-four hexagrams, containing six lines, express the Yin & Yang nature of any energy, be it an event, a person or an intended action. The Yang energy is represented by solid, unbroken lines (-), and the Yin is represented as a broken line. (- -). 

1. 乾 Qián (䷀) – The Creative
2. 坤 Kūn (䷁) – The Receptive
3. 屯 Zhūn (䷂) – Difficulty at the Beginning
4. 蒙 Méng (䷃) – Youthful Folly
5. 需 Xū (䷄) – Waiting (Nourishment)
6. 讼 Sòng (䷅) – Conflict
7. 师 Shī (䷆) – The Army
8. 比 Bǐ (䷇) – Holding Together
9. 小畜 Xiǎo Chù (䷈) – The Taming Power of the Small
10. 履 Lǚ (䷉) – Treading (Conduct)
11. 泰 Tài (䷊) – Peace
12. 否 Pǐ (䷋) – Standstill (Stagnation)
13. 同人 Tóng Rén (䷌) – Fellowship with Men
14. 大有 Dà Yǒu (䷍) – Possession in Great Measure
15. 谦 Qiān (䷎) – Modesty
16. 豫 Yù (䷏) – Enthusiasm
17. 随 Suí (䷐) – Following
18. 蛊 Gǔ (䷑) – Work on the Decayed
19. 临 Lín (䷒) – Approach
20. 观 Guān (䷓) – Contemplation (View)
21. 噬嗑 Shì Kè (䷔) – Biting Through
22. 贲 Bì (䷕) – Grace
23. 剥 Bō (䷖) – Splitting Apart
24. 复 Fù (䷗) – Return (The Turning Point)
25. 无妄 Wú Wàng (䷘) – Innocence (The Unexpected)
26. 大畜 Dà Chù (䷙) – The Taming Power of the Great
27. 颐 Yí (䷚) – Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
28. 大过 Dà Guò (䷛) – Preponderance of the Great
29. 坎 Kǎn (䷜) – The Abysmal (Water)
30. 离 Lí (䷝) – The Clinging (Fire)
31. 咸 Xián (䷞) – Influence (Wooing)
32. 恒 Héng (䷟) – Duration
33. 遁 Dùn (䷠) – Retreat
34. 大壮 Dà Zhuàng (䷡) – The Power of the Great
35. 晋 Jìn (䷢) – Progress
36. 明夷 Míng Yí (䷣) – Darkening of the Light
37. 家人 Jiā Rén (䷤) – The Family
38. 睽 Kuí (䷥) – Opposition
39. 蹇 Jiǎn (䷦) – Obstruction
40. 解 Xiè (䷧) – Deliverance
41. 损 Sǔn (䷨) – Decrease
42. 益 Yì (䷩) – Increase
43. 夬 Guài (䷪) – Breakthrough (Resoluteness)
44. 姤 Gòu (䷫) – Coming to Meet
45. 萃 Cuì (䷬) – Gathering Together (Massing)
46. 升 Shēng (䷭) – Pushing Upward
47. 困 Kùn (䷮) – Oppression (Exhaustion)
48. 井 Jǐng (䷯) – The Well
49. 革 Gé (䷰) – Revolution (Molting)
50. 鼎 Dǐng (䷱) – The Cauldron
51. 震 Zhèn (䷲) – The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
52. 艮 Gèn (䷳) – Keeping Still, Mountain
53. 渐 Jiàn (䷴) – Development (Gradual Progress)
54. 归妹 Guī Mèi (䷵) – The Marrying Maiden
55. 丰 Fēng (䷶) – Abundance (Fullness)
56. 旅 Lǚ (䷷) – The Wanderer
57. 巽 Xùn (䷸) – The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)
58. 兑 Duì (䷹) – The Joyous (Lake)
59. 涣 Huàn (䷺) – Dispersion (Dissolution)
60. 节 Jié (䷻) – Limitation
61. 中孚 Zhōng Fú (䷼) – Inner Truth
62. 小过 Xiǎo Guò (䷽) – Preponderance of the Small
63. 既济 Jì Jì (䷾) – After Completion
64. 未济 Wèi Jì (䷿) – Before Completion

📖 Yarrow Stalks / Three Coins 

The I Ching method of divination interpretation requires the interpretation of either 50 'yarrow stalks' or 'three coins'. In ancient China, yarrow stalks were used to ask the I Ching for guidance, while today, Chinese coins serve the same purpose. Various questions can be asked, from the best timing for a journey to the possible outcome of a business venture. Apart from the divination aspect, the wisdom of the I Ching can take a lifetime to access and understand. The complex cosmology of this ancient text can be full of paradoxes, and understanding the seemingly endless interpretations and levels of meaning for each of the 64 hexagrams requires a strong, curious and open mind.

📖 Carl Jung

Carl Jung had a significant association with the I Ching and the concept of the Golden Flower.

• 📖  I Ching: Jung was deeply interested in the I Ching and saw it as a valuable tool for understanding the human psyche and exploring the unconscious mind. Jung believed that the I Ching method of divination could tap into the collective unconscious, helping individuals gain insights into their inner world. He incorporated the I Ching into his analytical psychology, using it for both personal exploration and as a therapeutic tool for his patients.
• 📖 The Golden Flower: The concept of the Golden Flower Meditation is related to Taoism. The meditation typically focuses on the 'Golden Flower', metaphorically represented as a radiant, golden light or energy centre located in the lower abdomen. The practitioner visualises this golden light expanding and circulating throughout the body, cleansing the mind and spirit, and harmonising the body's energies (Chi). Jung was influenced by Taoist philosophy, and he found the idea of the Golden Flower particularly intriguing. It represents the process of inner transformation and spiritual enlightenment. Jung saw parallels between this concept and his own ideas about individuation, the process of becoming one's true self.

In exploring these concepts, Jung integrated Eastern wisdom with Western psychology, emphasising the importance of inner development and the connection between the conscious and unconscious mind. He believed these Eastern philosophies and practices could offer valuable insights into the human psyche and personal growth.

There are plenty of books on learning the I Ching for beginnings. Like the tarot, you can learn the basics, but becoming fluent in interpreting takes much study to become a professional and a lifetime master. 

Head to a tab of your choice for more information on Feng Shui. 

For more information, click the button below. ⤵

INTRODUCTION

. In Feng Shui, the word 'trigram' breaks down into 'tri' (three) and 'gram' (symbol).

These ancient symbols, pronounced 'try-grams,' are a tool for deciphering the energetic code of our living spaces and are the basis for Feng Shui analysis and calculations. A Bagua map (or pa kua, meaning '8 places') represents the eight directional areas of a home. The number five trigram is absent in Feng Shui and the I Ching because it symbolises the centre and neutrality within the Lo Shu Square. In Chinese metaphysics, five is often associated with the element of Earth, representing balance and stability rather than dynamic forces, which the trigrams depict. Since trigrams symbolise energetic states and interactions in nature, the neutrality of five is considered a stabilising force rather than an active influence. Hence, it is represented as the central point rather than a trigram.

What is a Trigram? 

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There are eight fundamental trigrams, and they are composed of three lines: solid lines are Yang (-), and broken lines are Yin (--). Each triplet of lines will determine one of the eight Trigram's qualities.  

Each of the lines represents one of the following:

Upper: Heaven chi

Middle: Humankind chi

Lower: Earth chi

More details on the different chi meanings can be found on the: 'About Feng Shui'  under the 'Principles' tab in the 'Chi' section. 

 What do Trigrams Tell Us 

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The trigrams are associated with a host of natural and human phenomena: the seasons, the time of day, magnetic directions, the

five elements and their corresponding colours, animal and human personality types, body parts, related illnesses and numbers. 

Trigrams and Personal Expression

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 Each person embodies the qualities of one Trigram, which influences their character, strengths, and challenges. With this information, a Feng Shui expert can position individuals in their best direction to eat, sleep, reproduce, and work for the best individual outcome. 

Discovering Your Trigram

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 Discovering your personal Trigram can offer valuable insights into your unique energy and how it interacts with your surroundings. By understanding your Trigram, you can make conscious choices about harmonising your environment and enhancing specific aspects of your life. The eight trigrams (meaning interpreting all three together) are divided by whether they are more Ying or Yang. Each Trigram under these categories has it's unique name. These trigrams represent different aspects of yang energy, influencing both the natural world and the human experience, according to Feng Shui and Taoist philosophy. Understanding the balance of yin and yang trigrams is key to harmonising spaces and energy flows.

Yang Trigram Energy

☰ Heaven, ☳ Thunder, ☵ Water, ☵ Mountain

Ying Trigrams 

☷ Earth, ☴ Wind, ☲ Fire, ☱ Marsh  

Yang Trigrams 

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• ✨ Heaven (Qian - 乾): Represents strength, creativity, and the heavens themselves. ☰
• ⚡️ Thunder (Zhen - 震): Reflects movement, awakening, and the rumble of thunder. ☳
• 💦 Water (Kan - 坎): Signifies flow, adaptability, and the depths of water. ☵
• ⛰️ Mountain (Gen - 艮): Symbolises stillness, contemplation, and the strength of a mountain. ☵

Ying Trigrams 

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• 🌎 Earth (Kun - 坤): SymboliSes receptivity, nurturing, and the earth. ☷ 
• 💨 Wind (Xun - 巽): Represents gentleness, flexibility, and the winds. ☴
• 🔥 Fire (Li - 離): Embraces passion, illumination, and the intensity of fire. ☲
• 🛥️ Marsh (Dui - 兌): Signifies joy, harmony, and the beauty of a lake. ☱

To learn more about your Trigram, visit the 'Feng Shui Tips' page under the 'Trigrams' tab. 

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