Free Module 1: Principles of Feng Shui

Chapter 7: The Eight Trigrams

The lines forming these trigrams are either whole (male) or broken (female). Each Trigram consists of three male or female lines; and combined in various combinations; the  Trigram symbolizes heaven, earth, water, fire dampness, wind thunder or mountains.

The trigrams can be superimposed upon each other, and in this way 8 x 8 = 64 hexagrams are obtained.

These 64 hexagrams provide the essential text of the Chinese oracle-book. The 64 hexagrams covers all human conditions and occasions - a kind of inspired formula for interpreting events in the world.

According to a legend, the system  of trigrams and hexagrams was developed by Zhou-gong, the relative and political adviser of the first Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty (from c. 1050 BC). The trigrams are often to be found on the garments of Taoist priests and on the walls, ceiling and beams of Chinese temples. 

Originally, the Trigram was  considered a symbolic representation of the Family nucleus e.g. made  up of the Father, Mother, Elder Son, Middle Son, Younger Son, Elder Daughter, Middle Daughter and Younger daughter. This is still true.  In fact, the Trigram is more than this. If you look at the table below, the Trigram also represents the time and seasons. For example:  K'an represents Winter, Ken = Late Winter, Chen = Spring etc.

Trigram Name Symbolizes Person Meaning Direction Season Element Poles Rain drops collect into streams, river & eventually to a heavy flow into a lake or the sea Middle son, middle aged men Poverty, worries, sickness,  trouble, danger, risks & toil. North Winter Water Yang Mountain is stationery, motionless Youngest son & youth Obstacles leading to deadlock,  resting & static. NE Late Winter or early Spring Small Earth Yang Thunder is energy & movement Eldest son & youth Time of expansion.Ne w ventures, new  job suggested. A new beginning East Spring Big Wood Yang Wind stirs the air penetrates everywhere & travel distances even to remote places Eldest daughter Growth, continous toil,  purity,comple tness or indecision SE Between late spring & early summer Small Wood Yin Lightning symbolises the sun & fire Middle daughter, middle age, wise & intelligent person Brightness, brilliance or disasters  such as fires, separation or dryness. South Summer Fire Yin Earth is gentle & unyielding like a mother Mother, old lady, wives, workers Poor, inferior & lowly yet  receptive, humble, peaceful work is done SW Late summer, early autumn, ripening season Big Earth Yin The marsh, a low lying place, insufficiency & inadequacy Youngest daughter, young girls Joy, excessive pleasure,  reflection, inducement, ruin & defects West Autumn Small Metal Yin Heaven which is lofty, noble & firm Father Creative, strong, active,  continously on the move or time to make decisive decisons NW Late autumn or early winter Big Metal Yang