Eight Trigrams
Transcript of Eight Trigrams
Eight TrigramsI Ching (Book of Changes)Eight Gates to the Greater World
Research by Michael P. Garofalo
Bibliography Notes Quotations Notes General Attributions I General Attributions II Feng Shui
Martial Arts I Ching Meanings Qigong/Yoga Medical Five Elements Other
Last Updated on February 20, 2011
© Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 2011By Michael P. Garofalo, All Rights Reserved.
Eight Trigrams
I. General Attributions
TrigramSymbol
Trigram Name
Meaning Direction Season Yin-Yang
ChienQián乾
Heaven, Sky, Air
South Summer Supreme Yang
SunXùn巽
Wind SouthwestMid-Summer
Young Yin
K'an坎 Water West Autumn Middle Yin
KenGèn艮
Mountain NorthwestMid-Autumn
Mature Yin
K'unKūn坤
Earth North Winter Supreme Yin
ChenZhèn震
Thunder NortheastMid-Winter
Young Yang
Li離 Fire East Spring Middle Yang
TuiDuì兌
LakeValley
Southeast Mid-Spring Mature Yang
CM1 CM2 CM3 MG1 MG2 MG3
II. General Attributions
TrigramSymbol
EasternCosmos
Five Elements五行Wǔxíng
WesternCosmos
Daily Cycle Annual Cycle
1ChienHeavenSouthSummer
Metal, SkyWestWhite TigerLung, TasteFather
Will, SpiritIntutitionWoodFireSouthYouthMiddaySummerFull Moon
Noon12 pm - 3pm
June 21st - September21stSummer SolsticeLithia
2 SunWind
WoodEastBlue DragonLiver, SightOldest Sister
Afternoon3pm - 6 pm
3
水
K'anWaterWestAutumn
WaterNorthBlack TortoiseKidney, TouchSecond Daughter
EmotionsFeelingsWater, CupsMiddle AgeEveningWaning MoonWestAutumn
Late AfternoonSunset6 pm - 9pm
September 22nd -December20thAutumnal Equinox
4 KenMountain
EarthCenterYellow DragonSpleen. SmellFirst Daughter
Evening9pm - 12 pm
October 31st -December 20th
5 K'unEarth
EarthCenter
BodySensations
Midnight12 am - 3
December 21st -March 19th
土NorthWinter
Yellow DragonSpleen, SmellMother
Earth, CoinsOld AgeNightNew MoonNorthWinter
am
6 ChenThunder
WoodEastBlue DragonLiver, SightOldest Brother
Early MorningSunrise3am - 6am
February 2nd - March19thChinese New YearImbolic
7
火
LiFireSpringEast
FireSouthRed PhoenixHeart, SoundSecond Son
MindThinkingAirMetal, SwordsInfancyDawnCrescent MoonSpringEast
Morning6am - 9am
March 20th - June 20thSpring Equinox, Ostara
8TuiLakeValleyIrrigatedField
Metal, LakeWestWhite TigerLung, TasteFirst Son
Mid-Morning9am - 12pm
May 1st - June 20thBeltane
CM4 CM5 CM6 MG4 MG5 MG6
III. Martial Arts Attributions
TrigramSymbol
EasternCosmos
T'ai Chi Ch'uan
BaGuaZhang
Coming Coming
ChienHeavenSouthSummer
PengWardoffStep Forward
Coming Coming Coming
SunWind
CaiPullingMove Back
Coming Coming Coming
K'anWaterWestAutumn
JiPressFace Left
Coming Coming Coming
KenMountain
KaoShoulder
Coming Coming Coming
K'unEarthNorthWinter
LuRoll BackCentered
Coming Coming Coming
ChenThunder
LieSplittingMove Back
Coming Coming Coming
LiFireSprintEast
AnPushLook Right
Coming Coming Coming
TuiLakeValleyMarshIrrigatedField
ShouElbow StrikeStep Forward
Coming Coming Coming
CM1 CM5 CM7 CM8 CM9 CM10
IV. Eight Core Hexagrams I Ching Attributions HexagramSymbol
NumberName
General Meaning
# 1ChienKhienHeaven
"Heaven creates, develops, brings about fruition and consummation. " [Ct1]"What is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm." [Lt2]Meanings: strength, creativity, ruling, originating, Yang, fathering.
# 57SunWind
"Wind is small but developmental. It is beneficial to have somewhere to go. It is beneficial to see a great person." [Ct1] "There will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage inmovement." [Lt2] Meanings: penetrating, gentleness. equaling, scattering.
#29K'anKhanPitfallsWater
"Mastering Pitfalls (Double Pitfall): In mastering pitfalls there is truthfulness; thus the mind develops. There is excellence in practice." [Ct1] "The possession of sincerity, through which the mind is penetrating. Action, in accordance with this, will be of high value." [Lt2] Meanings: withdrawal, abysmal, perilous, injuring, danger, adapt to diffiucltcircumstances, flow like water around obstacles.
# 52KenMountain
"Stopping at the back, one does not have a body; walking in the garden, one does not see a person. No fault." [Ct1] Meanings: stillness, calmness, resting, completing, undisturbed, innerstillness.
# 2"With earth, creativity and development are achieved in the faithfulness of the female horse. The superior person
K'unKhwanEarth
has somewhere to go. Taking the lead, one goes astray; following, one finds the master. Stability in rectitude is good." [Ct1] "What is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his proper lord." [Lt2] Meanings: receptivity, acceptance, nurturing, yielding, storing, devoting,mothering, Yin, endless productive potential.
#51ChenKânThunder
"Thunder is developmental. When thunder comes, there is alarm, then laughter. Thunder startles for a hundred miles, but one does not loose spoon and wine." [Ct1] "Kan gives the intimation of ease and development. When the time of movement comes, the person will be found looking out with some apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred li, he will be like the sincere worshipper who is not startled into letting go of his ladle and cup of sacrificial spirits." [Lt2] Meanings: alertness, active, arousing, moving, inciting, producing, explosive andvibrational energy.
# 30LiFire
"Fire is beneficial for correctness and development. Raising a cow brings good fortune." [Ct1] "It will be advantageous to be firm and correct, and thus there will be a free course and success. Let its subject also nourish a docility of the cow, and there will be good fortune." [Lt2] Meanings: clinging, dependable, spreading, transforming the host, light.
# 58TuiJoy
"Joy is developmental, beneficial if correct." [Ct1] "Shows the pleasure of inward harmony and sincerity, and in good fortune. " [Lt2] Meanings: joyful, thankful, playful, pleasuring, courting,
rejoicing, pleasure,hidden in deep currents. Associated with freshwater in low areas: rivers through a valley, marshes, lakes, irrigation ditches and canals - a sight that will bring joy to any farmer's heart.
CM11 CM12 CM13
V. Taijiquan and Yoga Exercise Workout Cycle
ExerciseCycle
EnergyLevels
Eight BrocadesQigong
Eight RiversQigong
1Chen
Warm-upThunder over Earth
Bouncing on Toes
Turning theThunderous Prayer Wheel
2Li
Heat BuildingSpringtime GustoStarting the Fire
Punching withAngry Eyes
Grasping theFire Dragon's Tail
3Tui
Energetic and JoyfulRivers Run Down tothe Warm ValleyIncrease Circulation
Bending Downand Bending Back
The Wild Geese Joyfully Return to the Lake in the Valley
4Chien
VigorousSummertimeFire in the HeavensPure Yang
BearSalutation tothe Stars
5Sun
LivelyMovingFollowing the
Drawing the Bow
The Wind Moves the Clouds
Wind
6K'an
Cooling DownSlowing DownFeel the Autumn Rain
Holding Up the Void
Coming
7Ken
CalmingCoolingPausingRest on the Mountain
Separate Heavenand Earth
Coming
8K'un
RestingRelaxingPure YinWinterSnow on the Earth
Wise OwlComing
MG7 MG8 MG9 MG10
VI. Medical Attributions
Trigram ComingBodilyAssociations
Coming Coming Coming
ChienHeavenSouth
Coming
HeadLungsTaste
Coming Coming Coming
SunWind
ComingThighsLiverSight
Coming Coming Coming
K'anWater
Coming EarsKidneyTouch
Coming Coming Coming
West
KenMountain
ComingHandsSpleenSmell
Coming Coming Coming
K'unEarthNorth
ComingBellySpleenSmell
Coming Coming Coming
ChenThunder
ComingFootLiverSight
Coming Coming Coming
LiFireEast
ComingEyesHeartSound
Coming Coming Coming
TuiValley
ComingMouthLungTaste
Coming Coming Coming
CM14 CM15 CM16 CM17 CM18 CM19
VII. Other Attributions
Trigram QigongBuddhismEightfold Path
MountainsRivers ZenOrder
Coming Coming
ChienHeavenSouth
Direct QiTransmit Qi
SkillfulAction
RightAction
Coming Coming
SunWind
Conserve Qi
SkillfulLivelihood
WorkPractice
Coming Coming
K'an
Dissolve Qi SkillfulEffort
BodyPractice
Coming Coming
WaterWest
KenMountain
Transform Qi
SkillfulMindfulness
Zazen Coming Coming
K'unEarthNorth
Store QiSkillfulConcentration
Liturgy Coming Coming
ChenThunder
Discover QiGather Qi
SkillfulUnderstanding
Zen Study Coming Coming
LiFireEast
Circulate Qi
SkillfulThinking
AcademicStudy
Coming Coming
TuiValley
Purify QiSkillfulSpeech
ArtPractice
Coming Coming
CM20 CM21 CM22 CM23 CM24 CM25
VIII. Five Elements, Five Movements
Trigram ElementBodilyAssociations
Attributes Coming Coming
ChienHeavenSkyAirEast
Wood
LiverGall BladderEyesTendonsMusclesNails, Nerves
GreenSpringEastWindySour
Coming Coming
LiFireSouth
Fire
HeartSmall IntenstineTongueBlood Vessles
RedSummerSouthHotBitter
Coming Coming
K'unEarthSouthwest
Earth
SpleenStomachMouthFlesh, Muscles
YellowLate SummerCenterDampSweet
Coming Coming
KenMountainWest
Metal
LungsLarge IntenstineBladderNoseSkin, Hair
WhiteAutumnWestDryPungent
Coming Coming
K'an
Water KidneyBladderEarsBones, Teeth
Dark BlueWinterNorthCold
Coming Coming
WaterNorth
Hair Salty
CM26 CM26 CM26 CM26 CM26
Sacred Circle at the Valley Spirit CenterChart of Associations, Attributions, Elementals, Spirits, and Symbolism
Eastern and Western Magicks
ValleySpiritSacredCircle
Symbolism
EasternCosmos
Trigrams
Five Elements五行
Wǔxíng
WesternCosmosMagick
North Earth Body, Flesh, Beings
GreenEarth
WinterBodyOaks
K'unEarthNorthWinter
土
CenterYellow DragonSpleen, Smell
MotherValley Spirit
SensationsTouch
Earth, Soil, StoneBirth and Death
NightNew Moon
Pentacle, CoinsNorthWinter
Trees and ShrubsSalt
Oak Trees
Conception to Birth
and 90-100+ Years Old
NortheastLime GreenCypresses
ChenThunder
WoodEast
Blue DragonLiver, Sight
Oldest Brother
10 to 20 Years Old
EastYellow
AirSpringMindSpiritOlives
LiFire
SpringEast
火
FireSouth
Red PhoenixHeart, SoundSecond Son
MindThinking
AirSmell
Metal, SwordsChildhood and Youth
DawnCrescent Moon
SpringEast
Incense, BellsOlives, Aspens
20 to 30 Years Old
SoutheastOrange
Bottlebrush
TuiLake
ValleyIrrigated
Field
Metal, LakeWest
White TigerLung, Taste
First Son
30 to 40 Years Old
SouthRedFire
SummerWill
ActionBay Laurel
ChienHeavenSouth
Summer
Metal, SkyWest
White TigerLung, Taste
Father
Will, SpiritIntuition
WoodFireSightSouth
Adult and Middle Age
40 to 50 Years Old
MiddaySummer
Full MoonStaff, StaveRed Candle
AlmondsWalnuts
SouthwestPurple
Redwoods
SunWind
WoodEast
Blue DragonLiver, SightOldest Sister
50 to 60 Years Old
WestBlue
WaterAutumnEmotions
K'anWaterWest
Autumn
水
WaterNorth
Black TortoiseKidney, Touch
Second Daughter
Emotions, BloodFeelings
Water, CupsTaste
Middle and Old AgeEvening
Waning MoonWest
AutumnCauldron, ChaliceWillows, Laurels
60 to 70 Years Old
Inner Entrance
NorthwestTurquoise
Liquid Ambers
KenMountain
EarthCenter
Yellow DragonSpleen. Smell
First Daughter
70 to 80+ Years Old
CenterWhite
Tai ChiGrant Ultimate
WholenessHarmony
InterdependenceIndividual Self
CircleWeb
White - All Colors
Sacred Circle at the Valley Spirit CenterChart of Associations, Attributions, Elementals, Spirits, and Symbolism
Western Emphasis
ValleySpiritSacredCircle
Symbolism
WesternCosmosMagick
Daily Cycle Human Age
Annual Cycle Neo-Pagan and Secular Holidays
Liturgical Rites
NorthGreenEarth
WinterBodyOaks
Body, Flesh, BeingsSensations
TouchEarth, Soil, StoneBirth and Death
NightNew Moon
Pentacle, CoinsNorthWinter
Trees and ShrubsSalt
Oak Trees
Midnight12 am - 3 am
Conception to Birthto 10 Years Old:
Babies, Childhood,
and 90-100+ Years Old
Birth and Death
December 21st -March 19th
YuleNew YearChristmas
NortheastLime GreenCypresses
Early MorningSunrise
3am - 6am
10 to 20 Years Old
February 2nd - March19thImbolic
Chinese New Year
EastYellow
AirSpringMindSpiritOlives
MindThinking
AirSmell
Metal, SwordsChildhood and Youth
DawnCrescent Moon
SpringEast
Incense, BellsOlives, Aspens
Morning6am - 9am
20 to 30 Years OldYoung Adults
March 20th - June 20thSpring Equinox, Ostara
Memorial Day
SoutheastOrange
Bottlebrush
Mid-Morning9am - 12pm
30 to 40 Years Old
May 1st - June 20thBeltane
SouthRedFire
SummerWill
ActionBay Laurel
Will, SpiritIntuition
WoodFireSightSouth
Adult and Middle AgeMiddaySummer
Full MoonStaff, StaveRed Candle
AlmondsWalnuts
Noon12 pm - 3pm
40 to 50 Years Old
June 21st - September 21stSummer Solstice
LithiaLabor Day
SouthwestPurple
Redwoods
Afternoon3pm - 6 pm
50 to 60 Years Old
L August 1st - September 21st
First Harvest Festival,Mid-Summer Harvest Festival,
Lughnasadh, LammasLithia
Labor Day
WestBlue
WaterAutumnEmotionsEvergreen
Shrubs
Emotions, BloodFeelings
Water, CupsTaste
Middle and Old AgeEvening
Waning Moon
Late AfternoonSunset
6 pm - 9pm 60 to 70 Years Old
Wise Elders
September 22nd -December 20th
Autumnal EquinoxMabon
WestAutumn
Cauldron, ChaliceWillows, Laurels
NorthwestTurquoise
Liquid Ambers
Evening9pm - 12 pm
70 to 80+ Years OldWise Elders
October 31st -December 20th
HalloweenSamhain
Thanksgiving
CenterWhite
WholenessHarmony
InterdependenceIndividual Self
CircleWeb
White - All Colors
YearAnnual CycleA Human Life
Eight Trigrams and Hexagrams Charts
Links, Bibliography and Resources
Bagua Daoyin: A Unique Branch of Daoist Learning - A Secret Skill of the Palace. By He Jinghan and David Alexander (Translator). Singing Dragon, 2008. 148 pages. ISBN: 1848190093. VSCLC.
Ba Gua: Hidden Knowledge in the Taoist Internal Martial Art. By John Bracy and Liu Xing-Han. Consulting editors: Li Zhong-Quan and Liu Men-Gen, Beijing, China. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1998. Index, bibliography, notes, 139 pages. ISBN: 1556432763. VSCLC.
Ba Gua Zhang ( Pa Kua Chang): Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, and notes. The Eight Palms and circle walking internal martial arts.
Baguazhang
Druid's Journey
The Eight Gates of Zen: A Program of Zen Training. By John Daido Loori. Edited by Bonnie Myotai Treace and Konrad Ryushin Marchaj. Boston, Shambhala, 2002. 270 pages. ISBN: 1570629528. VSCLC.
The Eight Ox Herding Pictures - A Chan/Zen Allegory
Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path. By Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2001. Index, bibliography, 268 pages. ISBN: 0861711769. A clear and insightful commentary on the Eightfold Path of Buddhism. Refer also to the Eight Precepts. VSCLC.
Eight Trigrams Chart
Feng Shui and Eight Trigrams
Feng Shui: How to Apply the Secrets of Chinese Wisdom for Health, Wealth and Happiness. By Lillian Too. Barnes and Noble, 1996. ISBN: 0760703906.
Five Elements 33Kb.
Five Elements Attributions of Trigrams (VIII)
Five Elements Information 23Kb.
General Attributions of Trigrams (!) Trigram symbol, Chinese name, cardinal direction, season of the year, Yin and Yan designation in chart form.
General Attributions of Trigrams (II) Trigram symbol, Chinese name and Eastern cosmos meaning, Five Elements attribution, Western magikal cosmos, time of the day, months and days of the year.
Glossary of Hatha Yoga Postures
Hexagram Attributions of Eight Trigrams Combined (IV) Hexagram symbol, name, Eastern cosmos meaning.
Qigong (Dao-yin) and Yoga Exercise Cycle and the Eight I Ching Trigrams (V) Exercise cycle definitions and sequences for the Eight Section Brocade Qigong and Eight Rivers Qigong.
Internal Martial Arts and the Eight I Ching Trigrams (III) Trigram symbol, Eastern cosmos meaning, T'ai Chi Ch'uan actions, BaGua Zhang, Other.
Pa Kua Chang (Ba Gua Zhang)
Parkha 20Kb.
Qigong (Chi Kung), Chinese Yoga
Qigong Attributions of Trigrams (IV)
Sacred Circles
The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom. By Angeles Arrien. Sounds True, 2005. 208 pages. ISBN: 1591792525.
The Spirit of Gardening
T'ai Chi According to the I Ching: Embodying the Principles of the Book of Changes. By Stuart Alve Olson. Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions International Ltd., 2001. 224 pages. ISBN: 0892819448. VSCLC.
Tai Chi Chuan Lun
T'ai Chi Ch'uan
T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the I Ching. By Liu, Da. Harper Collins, 1972. ISBN: 0060616679.
The Tao of Meditation: Way to Enlightenment. By Jou, Tsung Hwa. Scottsdale, Arizona, Tai Chi Foundation, 1983, 2000. 176 pages. ISBN: 0804814651.
The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation . By Jou, Tsung Hwa. Edited by Shoshana Shapiro. Warwick, New York, Tai Chi Foundation, 1980. 263 pages. First Edition. ISBN: 0804813574. An excellent comprehensive textbook. A Third Edition is now available. VSCLC.
Taoism: Bibliography, links, resources. All the books used to research this short study on hexagrams and Trigrams are also cited in Taoism.
Trigrams - Feng Shui Institute
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Red Bluff, California.
VSCLC = Valley Spirit Taijiquan Library Collection
Wudang Qigong
Valley Spirit (Gu Shen) of the Tao Te Ching
Walking the I Ching: The Linear Ba Gua of Gao Yi Sheng. By Allen Pittman. Berkeley, California, Blue Snake Books, 2008. 224 pages. ISBN: 1583942149. Good information on relating the concepts of the Ba Gua and I Ching to Chinese internal martial arts. VSCLC.
"Wang Haijun on Eight Methods of Training Jin," by David Gaffney, T'ai Chi: The International Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Vol. 29, No. 4, August, 2005, pp. 5-10. Translation by Davidine Diaw-Voon Sim.
Zen Buddhism
Esoterica (Research by Mike Garofalo)
Ba Gua
Chaos Magick
Circles
Druid's Journey
Eight Celebrations
Eight of Wands
Flowers in the Sky
Four Elements
Green Man
Green Wizard
Index
Labyrinths
Nature Mysticism
Olives
Pantheism
Qigong
Religion
Sacred Circles
Spirituality
Tree Lore
Trigrams I Ching
Vegetable Nirvana
Yielding
Zen
Zhan Zhuang
Eight Trigrams ChartNotes, Comments, Chart References
Chinese Models of the Eight TrigramsTraditional Chinese Associations and Attributes for Eight TrigramsTraditional Taoist, Chinese Medicine, Qigong, Martial Arts Associations
CM1
CM2
CM3
CM4 Refer to my bibliography for the Green Wizard. I'm especially fond of: Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard. by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart; The Magician's Companion by Bill Witcomb; The Spiral Dance by Starhawk;and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner and other books by Scott Cunningham.
CM5
CM6
CM7
Regarding the relationship between Tai Chi Chuan and the I Ching (Book of Changes), please refer to the following books:
The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation. By Tsung Hwa Jou. Charles E. Tuttle, 1998.3rd Edition. 233 pages. ISBN: 0804813574. An outstanding textbook on Tai Chi Chuan.All styles are introduced and explained. A very informative introduction to the philosophyand practices of Tai Chi Chuan.
T'ai Chi According to the I Ching : Embodying the Principles of the Book of Changes .By Stuart Alve Olson. Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions International Ltd., 2001. 224 pages. ISBN: 0892819448. An unique and thorough study of this correlation.Excellent photographs. A 16 movement and 64 movement Yang style form, linked tothe Book of Changes, are explained and described.
T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the I Ching. By Da Liu. Harper Collins, 1972. ISBN: 0060616679.
CM11, CM12, CM13
Ct1 = The Taoist Classics. The collected translations of Thomas Cleary. Volume Four.(The Taoist I Ching and I Ching Mandalas). Boston, MA, Shambhala, 1986, 1989.Index, 436 pages. ISBN: 1570629080.
Lt2 = The I Ching. Translated by James Legge in 1899. Sacred Books of the East Series,Volume 16.
CM21
The Healing Promise of Qi: Creating Extraordinary Wellness Through Qigong and Tai Chi.By Roger Jahnke, O.M.D.. Chicago, Contemporary Books, 2002. Index, notes, extensiverecommended reading list, 316 pages. ISBN: 0809295288.
CM22
Eight Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path. By BhanteHenepola Gunaratana. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2001. Index, bibliography,268 pages. ISBN: 0861711769. A clear and insightful commentary on theEightfold Path of Buddhism. Refer also to the Eight Precepts.
CM23
The Eight Gates of Zen: A Program of Zen Training. By John Daido Loori. Edited byBonnie Myotai Treace and Konrad Ryushin Marchaj. Boston, Shambhala, 2002. 270 pages. ISBN: 1570629528. Eight Gates of Zen
CM26
The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing. By Kenneth S. Cohen.Foreword by Larry Dossey. New York Ballantine Books, 1997. Index, notes, appendices, 427 pages. ISBN: 0345421094. MGC. One of my favorite books: comprehensive,informative, practical, and scientific.
The Essential Qigong Training Course. 100 Days to increase Energy, Physical Health, and Spiritual Well-Being. By Ken Cohen. Boulder, Colorado, Sounds True, 2005. Includes a 59 page weekly workbook, a Qigong DVD, 5 audio CDs, and one Qi Healing DVD. ISBN: 1591790905. MGC.
Michael P. Garofalo's Models of the Eight Trigrams
MG1
"The above Eight Trigrams Chart schema was created by me based upon 1) my reading of qigong and Taoist literature, 2) my reading of books and magazine articles, and listening to media products about the Eight Section Brocade Qigong, 3) the "Before Heaven Arrangement" of the Eight Diagrams attributed to the mythical sage-ruler Fu Hsi, 4) my reading of
Western esoteric and magical literature regarding practices of the Green Wizard, and 3) the notes I made while getting group or personal instruction from a qigong or taijiquan teacher in the Eight Section Brocade." - The Eight Section Brocade Qigong, By Michael P. Garofalo, April 2005, 305Kb.
MG2
A reader cannot help but notice that these associations are common amongst people livingin the northern hemisphere, 35°North to 55°North latitudes. The annual cycle of the seasonsof a year, the annual cycle of agricultural activities that are the foundations of every civilization,and the daily cycle of the daylight hours (i.e., warmth, work, seeing-thinking, activity, etc) and the nighttime hours (i.e., cooler, sleep, sensory withdrawal, dreams, rest, etc.) are part of the landscape of the Mind.
MG3
MG4
MG5
MG6
MG7
MG8
MG9
Eight Section Brocade Qigong By Michael P. Garofalo. 309Kb, April, 2005.Provides information about the history and purpose of this popular Chi Kung practice. Detaileddescriptions are provided for each of the eight movements; including information on movement variations, health benefits, qigong meaning, and cautions. The document includes the most extensive bibliography, link guide, and comments on Ba Duan Jin Qigong resourcesavailable anywhere. Some animated graphics are provided in linked files. This documentis updated as new information is discovered. This qigong set is the most popular setpracticed around the world, and is also known as: Baduanjin, Pa Tuan Jin, Eight Silken Treasures, Ba Duan Jin, Pal Dan Gum, Ba Duan Gin, Pa Tin Kam, Otto Pezzi di Tesoro, Acht Delen Brokaat,Les Huit Exercices del la Soie, Eight Silken Treasures, Brocade Qigong, Wudang Brocade Qigong, Brocade soft qigong (Rou Gong), Eight Treasures inner qigong (Nei Gong), Silk Treasures Qigong, and the first eight Buddha Lohan Hands. The document is about 80 pages long.
MG10
Quotations, Sayings, NotesModels Based on Eight ElementsEightfold Paths
"The Eight Elements West
1. Consistent ExerciseEnergize through safe, results-oriented exercise.
2. Body AlignmentPromote proper posture, spinal strength with flexibility, and body awareness.
3. Natural NutritionImplement sound eating practices for life.
4. Sound MindEmbrace life obstacles with self-awareness, reflection, imagination and creativity.
5. Relaxation and Centering Cultivate and calm the bodymind connection everyday.
6. Community and EnvironmentSurround yourself with trusted friends and family. Be kind to the Earth.
7. Individual ActionTime is precious. Let change begin now, with you.
8. Heart of the Human SpiritTransform life through your heart, where true strength resides."
- The Eight Elements West
"One of the best-known and most influential Neo-Confucian (Dao Xue, Study of the Dao) philosophers was Zhou Dun-Yi (1017-73 CE), creator of the famous tai chi diagram (Taiji tu, the yin-yang symbol) and its accompanying commentary, which was based on his study of the "appendices" of the Yi Jing."- Andy James, The Spiritual Legacy of Shaolin Temple, p. 84
Notes
I first posted the material found on this webpage in 2005. Since then, I have received many interesting comments via email from readers.
Objections include: 1. The yin-yang elements need to be reversed with the black on top and the white on the bottom. What I presented represents an "evil" positioning of yin and yang, and is wrong. 2. The Post-Heaven rather than Pre-Heaven arrangements should be used. 3. The trigram order needs to be changed for various reasons. 4. There are not enough references to literature in Chinese. 5. More attention needs to be given to Feng Shui commentary. 5. The names and meanings of some of the trigrams are not correct. 6. Connections with Western meanings and symbolism is purely coincidental and meaningless.
I have found a wide variety of interpretations of the trigrams in the English literature on the subject. There are differences in the diagrams, and differences in the order and meanings of the trigrams found in this literature. The same situation occurs with even more frequency in Tarot decks.
I cannot speak, read, or write Chinese. At my advanced age, it is unlikely that I will ever acquire such scholarly skills. Therefore, I try to do the best I can in English, with the limited time available.
I find circular patterns (i.e., sacred circles, labyrinths, bagua, spirals, spheres, etc) to be very interesting. Circular arrangements have a key place in the spiritual practices in my life. I am fascinated by the symbolic, artistic, religious, and psychological aspects of circular arrangements. Some use a cross or sword as the symbol of their religion; which, to me, represent fear, oppression, violence, torture, death, and the end. Others, like me, find a wheel (Buddhist Dharma Wheel), Tai Chi Tun Yin-Yang Circle (Taoist), or a sacred circle of trees (Nemeton) or stones (Labyrinth) more appealing to their spiritual sensibilities. The circle, for me, represents the cycle of the seasons, life cycles, recurrent possibilities, complexity, the union of complementary forces (e.g., female and male, winter and summer, yin and yang, Unity and Complexity, etc.), the Ring of Commitment, Eternal Returning, and the patterning and ordering of the cosmos. My prejudices and preferences are, therefore, reflected in my interpretations.
Feng Shui
The Eight Trigrams are widely used in the practical applications of the Chinese art of geomancy, Feng Shui. The Bagua is a primary aspects of the theory of Feng Shui. A full discussion can be found in numerous books published in the last twenty years on the subject. A few of these books are listed in the bibliography provided above.
Various charts are widely available that outline the Bagua correspondences used in Feng Shui. The following chart is similar to the one presented Lillian Too in her book Feng Shui, 1996, p. 81. The yin-yang circle in the center of the diagram is reversed in Ms. Too's chart. She explains Feng Shui in terms of the Form School and the Compass School.