Fundamentals of Yijing (I Ching) Studies

1. The Eight Trigrams (八卦) – The Foundation of All Things

• Innate (先天) Bagua: Represents the primordial order of the universe (本体).

• Acquired (后天) Bagua: Governs practical applications (作用).

• Family Symbolism:

  • Qian (☰): Father

  • Kun (☷): Mother

  • Zhen (☳): Eldest Son

  • Xun (☴): Eldest Daughter

  • Kan (☵): Middle Son

  • Li (☲): Middle Daughter

  • Gen (☶): Youngest Son

  • Dui (☱): Youngest Daughter

2. Hetu (河图) & Luoshu (洛书) – Cosmic Blueprints

• Hetu (“River Diagram”):

  • Governs Five Elements (五行) applications:

    • Five-Zi Luck Cycles (五子运)

    • Floor Element Theory (楼层五行)

    • Flying Star Feng Shui (紫白飞星)

  • Called the “Diagram of Yin-Yang & Five Elements’ Creation.”

• Luoshu (“Luo Book”):

  • Used in:

    • Qimen Dunjia (奇门遁甲)

    • Xuan Kong Feng Shui (玄空挨星)

    • Three Cycles & Nine Periods (三元九运)

3. Eight Mansions (八宅法) – House & Destiny Matching

• Each person has a Life Trigram (命卦) determining 4 Auspicious & 4 Inauspicious Directions:

  • Auspicious Stars (四吉星):

    1. Shengqi (生气) – Wood (Greedy Wolf)

    2. Yannian (延年) – Metal (Martial Curse)

    3. Tianyi (天医) – Earth (Giant Gate)

    4. Fowei (伏位) – Wood (Assistant)

  • Inauspicious Stars (四凶星):

    1. Jueming (绝命) – Metal (Army Breaker)

    2. Wugui (五鬼) – Fire (Lustful Pheasant)

    3. Huohai (祸害) – Earth (Prosperity Hoarder)

    4. Liusha (六煞) – Water (Artistic Star)

• East-Life (东四命): Best in East Houses (坎、离、震、巽).

• West-Life (西四命): Best in West Houses (乾、坤、艮、兑).

• Remedies: Adjust doors/stoves if mismatched.

4. Three Cycles & Nine Periods (三元九运)

• 180-Year Cycle:

  • Upper (上元), Middle (中元), Lower (下元): 60 years each.

  • 9 Periods (运): 20 years each.

5. Kitchen & Stove Feng Shui (灶位风水)

• Stove Position: Should press the inauspicious side, facing auspicious directions.

• Stove Mouth (灶口):

  • Facing Fowei (伏位) + Heavenly Doctor (天乙贵人) → Boosts offspring luck.

  • Facing Shengqi (生气) → Boosts wealth.

• Avoid Fire Days (火日) & Northwest (Qian) for stoves (metal-fire clash).

6. Bed & Marriage Compatibility

• Bed Placement: Must align with auspicious stars and avoid conflicting doors.

• Marriage (合婚法):

  • East-Life men match East-Life women.

  • West-Life men match West-Life women.

• Avoid Three Killings Days (三煞日) for weddings/moving.

7. Advanced Adjustments

• Door Changes: If house-destiny mismatches, modify the main door first.

• “Victorious Layout Overrides Mountain” (局胜坐山):

  • If a northern river exists, treat as Li (Fire) House regardless of actual facing.

• Deity Altars: Place in auspicious directions matching the resident’s Life Trigram.