Trigrams: structure and manifestations, application in Feng Shui

What are trigrams?

All processes and events in our world can be explained using the well-known concept of yin-yang.
Any movement and activity gives rise to yang, while passivity and calmness awakens yin. They have conventional graphic symbols. Yang energy, considered masculine, is drawn with a solid line. The yin energy, symbolizing the feminine principle, is depicted by a broken line consisting of two segments. Combinations of solid and broken lines form trigrams. Each symbol consists of three lines that are read from top to bottom. A set of them allows you to understand what energy the trigram carries.

Trigram

Symbolism of numbers

1 – Kan, 2 – Kun, 3 – Zhen, 4 – Xun, 5 – Kun (male) and Gen (female), 6 – Qian, 7 – Dui, 8 – Gen. If the remainder is not found by calculation, your sign is Li.

Kan is a symbol of the abyss and belongs to the element of Water. Its season is winter.

Kun – receptivity, associated with the maternal principle, based in the kitchen and bedroom. Kun is Earth, and his time is summer.

Zhen – anxiety. It symbolizes the eldest son, the firstborn, and represents the direction East. The elemental element is Forest, and the season is the beginning of spring.

Xun symbolizes gentleness, connection with the eldest daughter and the Forest. Season: late spring before the heat.

Qian is creation. It belongs to the element of Metal and is subordinate to autumn. This is the sign of the head of the family.

Dui is the youngest favorite in the family, a symbol of joy. It is also a metallic element associated with autumn and the west.

Gen is a symbol of calm, silence and wisdom, belongs to the Earth and winter. He is the sign of the youngest son.

"Insufficient" Li is the element of Fire, summer and south. Lee symbolizes affection and refers to the middle daughter.

These elements determine the best arrangement of rooms for children. For example, for your youngest daughter choose a room with windows facing west, and for your eldest son - to the east.

Symbolism of numbers

King Wen "Late Sky"

King Wen Bagua arrangement "Later Heaven"

How they are created

The Bagua trigrams together form an octagonal figure. It clearly describes all the processes and events taking place in the Universe and in our world. In fact, most feng shui teachings are based on this octagon.

By the way the lines are combined, you can find out what energy is transferred in it - movement or calm. If trigrams have identical types of the same polarity, they are designated as extreme Yin or Yang. Visually indicated, they look like one continuous or one interrupted line.

Note! Other combinations of the Bagua trigram denote one Yin or Yang line and 2 opposite ones. The essence of each is determined by a feature found in one copy - it is the leading one.

Other combinations of the trigram are made up of one “Yang” or “Yin” and the remaining two lines, which have the opposite direction. For example, if a population includes one solid "yang" trait and the others are "yin", it will be defined as belonging to yang.

How are they used in Feng Shui?

All trigrams are located in a circle; they have unique directions in relation to any side of the world. There are two known variations of their designation.

Bagua of the Early Sky, which demonstrates the pristine and ideal structure of the world. This diagram shows harmony and order. Extreme Yin here is located in the north, and Yang is in the south. This pattern of marking can be seen on the Bagua mirror - one of the most famous Feng Shui symbols. This type of designation shows an ideal model of the Universe that has reached absolute harmony.

Note! The diagram was compiled by Wu of Xia, who discovered a turtle with a Bagua square on its shell.

The second variety is the Later Sky Bagua, which began to be used in 1143 BC, being introduced into use by Wen Wang. Using such a trigram, it becomes possible to assess the energy of any home. To perform such a measurement, you need to go outside and take measurements using a compass, focusing on the front door. Having found out the location of your home relative to parts of the world, you should take its plan and divide it into nine identical squares. The resulting drawing is then combined with the Late Sky Bagua. This comparison will allow you to determine which trigram controls each part of the home. If some part is unfavorable according to Feng Shui, then the totality of the features of this sector of the home is problematic. This puts negative energy on its residents.

In practice, it is the Later Sky Bagua scheme that is used. This happens because the world is not constant and ideal. Perfection is not continuous, everything changes and develops.

How to influence life with the help of Bagua zones?

To be able to positively influence your own life in an apartment, you need to correctly influence the Bagua zones. First, you need to overlay the zone map on the floor plan of your home, and then proceed with activation.

1. Money

If you are short on money or would simply like to live more financially freely, activate the wealth zone in your home.

You don't need to make any special effort. A couple of lamps or candles are enough in the part of the house that is located diagonally to the left from the entrance to the apartment. You can also place metal decorative items here - metal attracts income to the house. A small aquarium will be appropriate, as fish symbolize your work and efforts. But you shouldn’t get fish if your element according to the Bagua number is associated with Fire. It is better to paint on the wall or hang decor in the form of fish and add something related to your element (preferably red).

Candles can be used to activate the wealth zone

1. Glory

If you dream of fame, you need to make active the corresponding zone located in the back of your house. This could be a shelf with diplomas and awards and definitely an item related to your element.

1. Second half

If you are unable to find your soulmate, new acquaintances do not promise anything interesting, and old contacts are gradually being broken, attract energy into the house with bright lighting, images of people in love, figurines associated with romance and family. Arrange the marriage area to your liking to attract exactly your person to the house.

1. Family

The family zone is similar to the marriage zone, but it is focused more on the well-being of the household and the health of all family members. No one, even the happiest, avoids family disputes and disagreements. Believe me: any misunderstanding is not worth a strong relationship. Zoning in the event of strife will benefit a favorable microclimate in the family nest.

Place framed family photos on shelves, draw a family tree, and create other home decorations that remind you of your loved ones. The lighting in this area is soft, warm, like the light from a home fire.

Place framed family photos on shelves

1. Conception

In a situation where pregnancy does not occur, although you really want children, feng shui zoning experts recommend decorating the house with indoor plants, live bouquets, and red ribbons in the part of the apartment that is located diagonally and to the right of the front door. Do not allow wilted buds to be stored at home; they symbolize loss and lonely old age.

1. Career

The center of the wall on which the door is located is responsible for professional achievements. If you have long wanted to get a promotion, hang tinkling decorations (“wind chimes”) above the entrance. It is optimal to hang communications here - telephone, Internet and other communication gadgets.

Wind chime - a talisman for activating the career zone

1. Luck Center

When was the last time you asked your family how they were doing? Did you call your parents and relatives? Interested in success and health? If it’s been a while, activate the spiritual center in your home. Install a huge ceiling chandelier in the middle of the apartment - it will symbolize family unity with its central light.

Trigrams in Buddhist astrology

In the Buddhist astrological tradition, these trigrams are used to determine the eight-day and eight-year cycle of a person’s psychophysical state, as well as the favorableness or unfavorability of his presence at a certain time in a certain space.

In this case, the trigrams are arranged in an order slightly different from the Book of Changes: Fire - Earth - Metal - Sky - Water - Mountain - Wood - Wind. Each trigram points to one of the four cardinal directions and four intermediate sides - a total of eight sides: Fire - South; Land – South-West; Metal - West; Sky - North-West; Water – North; Mountain – Northeast; Tree – East; Wind - Southeast.

In addition, the position of each trigram also has its own eight cardinal directions: four of them are favorable and four are unfavorable:

The general arrangement of trigrams is as follows (see table):

If you establish which trigram a person has this year and determine its location, then you can calculate which side is favorable for this person and which is not. The calculation is made as follows: for a man - starting from the trigram Fire according to the number of his years (including the intrauterine year) clockwise; for a woman - starting with the trigram Water according to the number of her years” (including the intrauterine year) counterclockwise. If, according to the Buddhist counting system, a man (boy) turned 8 years old this year, then this year will pass for him under the sign of Wind, if 18 - Earth, if 29 - Water, etc.; if a woman (girl) is 8 years old, then her sign will be Sky, if 18 - Mountain, if 29 - Fire, etc.

For example, if this year passes for a person under the sign of Tree, and he needs to go to the West, then since this direction is unfavorable for him, before the trip he visits a temple (datsan) and orders a special prayer.

Characteristics of eight sides

1. The side of the breath of life: in this side it is good to woo a bride, make a long journey, invite a lama teacher, call on a patron spirit. There is a ban on sacrifices to deities and raid hunting;
2. Side of health and medicine: in this side it is good to invite a doctor, order medicine, perform a cleansing ritual, eat food;
3. Side of wealth: in this side it is good to buy goods and livestock, sow grain, perform the ritual of increasing wealth;
4. The side of the fire of life and the Horse of the Winds: in this side it is good to go on a journey, bring a bride to the house, burn incense, hang symbols of worship of deities (flags and scraps of material) in the wind;
5. Side of Harm: In this side one should not take a bride, acquire or buy goods and livestock. Garbage is usually thrown in this direction;
6. The side of the five barriers (demons): in this side, the ban on inviting a doctor and going on a long journey is observed; to protect against the dangers emanating from this side, the ritual of “correction” is performed;
7. End of life side: in this side, the prohibition of doing things related to life and well-being is observed;
8. The side of evil spirits: in this side, the ban on holding sports competitions and horse racing, on the purchase and acquisition of goods is observed, the ritual of cleansing from bad deeds and imposing a ban on them is performed.

Exposure to the Eight Bagua Elements on the Days of the Week

1. The day under the influence of the FIRE element is favorable for blacksmithing, wearing jewelry, praying and visiting the temple, and performing virtues. Unfavorable for reconciliation, bringing a bride to the house, slaughtering livestock, conducting military operations and translating works from one language to another.
2. The day of influence of the EARTH element is favorable for carrying out excavation and agricultural work, traveling in an easterly direction, renouncing an oath and getting rid of damage. Unfavorable for laying foundations, funerals, ablutions and performing prayers.
3. The day under the influence of the METAL element is favorable for cutting wood, hunting and traveling in an easterly direction. Unfavorable for teaching a child to walk and sending him anywhere from home.
4. The day of exposure to the SKY element is favorable for meetings with famous and influential people, performing virtues and the ritual of removing damage (gurum). Unfavorable for treating diseases, carrying out construction work, moving and trading.
5. The day under the influence of the WATER element is favorable for performing prayers and sacrifices to the nagas, returning what was borrowed or for temporary use, and artistic metal processing. Unfavorable for crossing a river, spells of evil spirits of the area, fishing, taking an oath, earthworks and fighting enemies.
6. The day of influence of the MOUNTAIN element is favorable for performing prayers and sacrifices, starting spiritual practice, training a horse, laying a foundation and carrying out construction work. Unfavorable for starting important and large affairs, trading and reading.
7. The day under the influence of the TREE element is favorable for performing prayers and sacrifices, wearing jewelry, planting trees, determining a place to settle and laying the foundation for a house.
8. The day of influence of the WIND element is favorable for pronouncing a mantra, repaying debts, in order to calm an angry person and for all “heavy” matters. Unfavorable for taking an oath and holding meetings.

May 6, 2022 at 1:20 p.m.

© Tanaka Eliza

How to calculate Bagua number?

In addition to the fact that such a grid can be “overlaid” on any space, there are also personal Bagua numbers, which are determined by your date of birth. It is important to note that the calculation formulas for men and women are different.

How to calculate this mysterious number? If you are a representative of the fair sex, then in order to calculate your number, you need to subtract four from the number consisting of the last two digits of the year of your birth.

Then divide the resulting result by nine. The answer will not be the number itself, but its remainder. For example, if you were born in 1998, then you need to subtract 4 from 98, then divide by 9. You get 10.4. Your number will be 4.

If you are a man, then the number consisting of the last two digits of your year of birth must be subtracted from one hundred, and the difference divided by 9. Your Bagua number is determined by the remainder. For example, you were born in 1995. Thus, subtract 95 from one hundred, then divide by 9, you get 0.5. Your number is 5. So, now that you have the result, you need to understand what it means.

Each personal Bagua number has its own symbol:

• 1 – Kan;
• 2 – Kun;
• 3 – Zhen;
• 4 – Xun;
• 5 – Kun for the stronger sex and Gen for women;
• 6 – Qian;
• 7 – Blow;
• 8 – Gen;

If there is no remainder, then Lee.

Consisting of one continuous line between two broken ones, the Kan abyss symbol represents the middle son and the northern direction. Its element is Water and its season is winter.

Kun is receptivity, the symbol consists of three, like Qian, but broken lines. Connected with the mother and all the rooms in the house that she occupies and uses, including the kitchen and the parents' bedroom. Located in the southwest. The element of Kun is Earth, and the season is summer.

Next in line is anxiety – Zhen. The symbol consists of two broken lines above one continuous line. He is associated with the eldest son, the firstborn, and represents the eastern direction. The element of this symbol is Forest, and the season is early spring.

Softness is Xun, two continuous lines above one broken line. This symbol is associated with the eldest daughter, its element is also the Forest, but the season is not early, but late spring.

Qian is creation. Its element, element is Metal, and the season of the year is autumn. Qian consists of three continuous lines and is associated with the head of the family. The side of the world that protects Qian is the northwest.

Dui is a symbol of joy related to the youngest favorite daughter, consisting of two continuous lines under one broken straight line. It represents the metallic element, the autumn period and the western direction.

Gen is a symbol of calm, the earth element and winter. It represents the youngest son and the northeast and signifies silence and stillness.

The fire element, summer, south direction are all about Li's symbol of affection, which consists of a broken line between two continuous ones and refers to the middle daughter.

Pay attention to where the rooms are, yours and your children's. For example, for the youngest daughter the room should be in the west, and for the eldest son - in the east.

Fu Xi "Early Heaven"

Fuxi bagua arrangement "Early Sky"

This is also known as the "binary sequence" or Shao Yun sequence. The binary interpretation of each hexagram is done by interpreting yin as "0" and yang as "1" and reading the first "digit" from within the diagram, so that the hexagram Kun

is interpreted as 0, and
Zhenya
as 1. Hexagrams are in binary order, if read from bottom to right, then again from left to top.[
clarification needed
][
citation needed
]

Manifestations of Bagua trigrams

Eight figures together form a bagua. The octagon helps to understand and describe all the processes and phenomena of our universe, including natural disasters, human organs and family members. Each trigram has millions of meanings, but there are universal characteristics for the figure.

Tian

1. Three solid lines.
2. Element of Metal.
3. Number 6.
4. North-west direction.

Tian is a symbol of strength and creation, associated with the masculine principle, the head of the family. It also means sky and light, energy, perseverance and celestial bodies. The horse is considered the symbolic animal of Tian for its endurance and fortitude.

Kun

1. Three broken lines.
2. Element of Earth.
3. Number 2.
4. South-west direction.

Kun symbolizes primordial energy, receptive and dark. She is associated with the feminine principle, devotion, responsibility and motherhood. Kun is associated with a cow and a calf, which symbolize fertility. It perfectly complements Tien without conflicting with the trigram. Regarding their relationship with a person: they reflect the relationship between a woman and a man, a boss and subordinates, a ruler and a servant.

Zhen

1. Two dashed and one solid line.
2. Element of Wood.
3. Number 3.
4. Eastern direction.

Zhen represents constant movement and decision-making, aggressiveness and assertiveness. In the family, this is the eldest son, the future keeper of traditions. The animal that is associated with the trigram is the dragon. The symbol corresponds to a dark yellow color.

Shun

1. Two solid and one dashed line.
2. Element of Wood.
3. Number 4.
4. Southeast direction.

Shun is associated with tenderness, purity and mobility. In the family she is personified by the eldest daughter. She is characterized by indecision, meekness, and shyness. The color is white. A person who belongs to this type most often has large, clear eyes and a broad forehead, and is lucky in all financial endeavors.

Kan

1. Two broken lines, between which there is one continuous line.
2. Element of Water.
3. Number 1.
4. South direction.

Kan is a symbol of secrecy, cunning and wisdom. The trigram is associated with the eldest son, emphasizing an unhappy fate. Kan is also considered a dangerous symbol due to the fact that the strong side is sandwiched between two weak traits. The color suits the symbol is red.

Lee

1. Two solid lines, between which there is one broken line.
2. Element of Fire.
3. Number 9.
4. South direction.

Li symbolizes affection, brightness and attractiveness. This is the middle daughter in human form. She appears tough on the outside, but is weak and unsure on the inside. Lee is helpful, but obedient and dependent on others.

Gen

1. There is one solid line on top, two broken lines below it.
2. Element of Earth.
3. Number 8.
4. Northeast direction.

Gen personifies peace, firmness and stubbornness. The trigram symbolizes the youngest son. Another symbol is a mountain, motionless and indestructible. In the rocky depths, existence finds its end, only to be reborn after a while.

Blow

1. Two solid and one dashed line.
2. Element of Water.
3. Number 7.
4. Western direction.

Blowing symbolizes joy, fun and spontaneity. Associated with the youngest daughter, happiness and good fortune. Sudden openness, stubbornness and gentleness are her main features.

Bagua trigram