eight trigrams

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Eight Trigrams I 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, 2011 By Michael P. Garofalo, All Rights Reserved.

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Page 2: 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

           

Page 3: Eight Trigrams

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

 

 

 

Page 4: Eight Trigrams

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

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

Page 5: Eight Trigrams

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

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

 

Page 6: Eight Trigrams

 

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

                   

Page 7: Eight Trigrams

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

 

 

Page 8: Eight Trigrams

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

Page 9: Eight Trigrams

 

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,

Page 10: Eight Trigrams

 

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

 

 

             

 

Page 11: Eight Trigrams

 

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

Page 12: Eight Trigrams

    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

 

 

Page 13: Eight Trigrams

 

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

Page 14: Eight Trigrams

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

 

Page 15: Eight Trigrams

 

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

Page 16: Eight Trigrams

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

 

 

Page 17: Eight Trigrams

  

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

Page 18: Eight Trigrams

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

Page 19: Eight Trigrams

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

Page 20: Eight Trigrams

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

 

       

 

 

Page 21: Eight Trigrams

 

 

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

       

Page 22: Eight Trigrams

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

Page 23: Eight Trigrams

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 

 

Page 24: Eight Trigrams

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)  

Page 25: Eight Trigrams

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.  

Page 26: Eight Trigrams

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. 

Page 27: Eight Trigrams

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  

Page 29: Eight Trigrams

 

 

 

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

Page 30: Eight Trigrams

 

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

Page 31: Eight Trigrams

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.  

Page 32: Eight Trigrams

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

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"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

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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.  

 

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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. 

 

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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. 

 

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Quotations, Sayings, NotesModels Based on Eight ElementsEightfold Paths

 

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"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

 

 

 

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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

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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.