Commentary: This part of the Meihua Yishu goes into extreme detail on the many different things that correspond with each trigram. If you want to know what trigram a random object or an abstract concept corresponds to, this is the place to check.
Images and Correspondences of the Eight Trigrams
Qian: Dark yellow, deep red; metal, jade; precious pearls; mirrors; lions; round objects; tree fruits; valuables; crowns; elephants; horses; swans; hard objects.
Kan: Water; objects with cores or pits; pigs and fish; bows and wheels; water vessels; houses in water; salt; wine; black color.
Gen: Earth and stone; yellow; tigers; dogs; objects from the earth; melons and fruits; all birds; rats; creatures with dark beaks.
Zhen: Bamboo and wood; blue, green, emerald colors; dragons; snakes; reeds; bamboo and wooden musical instruments; grasses; fresh and luxuriant things.
Xun: Wood; snakes; long objects; blue, green, emerald colors; mountain birds; fragrance; chickens; straight objects; bamboo and wooden utensils; finely crafted tools.
Li: Fire; documents; weapons; pheasants; turtles; crabs; withered wood; armor; snails; clams; soft-shelled turtles; red color.
Kun: Earth; square objects; the five grains; soft things; silk and cotton; all birds; oxen; cloth and silk; carriages; metal; pottery; yellow color.
Dui: Metal blades; metal vessels; musical instruments; things found in marshes; white color; objects with openings or defects; sheep.
Classification of All Things According to the Eight Trigrams
Qian Trigram
One[1] Metal
Qian is Heaven, Heaven–Wind Gou, Heaven–Mountain Dun, Heaven–Earth Pi,
Wind–Earth Guan, Mountain–Earth Bo, Fire–Earth Jin, Fire–Heaven Da You[2]
Heavenly phenomena: Sky, ice, hail, sleet.
Geography: Northwest; capital cities; large prefectures; commanding terrain; high places.
People: Ruler, father, great person, elder, officials, famous people, those of public office.
Human affairs: Strong, forceful, martial, decisive; much movement, little stillness.
Body: Head, bones, lungs.
Time: Autumn; the junction of the 9th–10th months; Xu–Hai years/months/days/hours; 1-4-9 cycles.
Animals: Horse, swan, lion, elephant.
Inanimate objects: Metal, jade, pearls; round objects; fruit; hard objects; crowns; mirrors.
Dwellings: Government offices, towers, high halls, large buildings, post stations; northwest-facing homes.
Household fortune:
Autumn—prosperous; Summer—misfortune; Winter—desolate; Spring—auspicious.
Marriage: Noble or official families; notable households. Best in autumn; unfavorable in summer or winter.
Food: Horse meat; delicacies; bony foods; liver and lungs; dried meats; fruit; heads of animals; round foods; pungent foods.
Childbirth: Easy delivery; autumn brings a noble son; summer brings harm; seat facing northwest is favorable.
Seeking fame: Renown attainable; suitable for court, judicial, military, authority-holding, imperial envoy, or courier posts; favorable in the northwest.
Plans & ambitions: Success possible; favorable through official channels; wealth through movement; summer unfavorable; winter—many plans, little success.
Trade: Favorable for metal, jade, pearls, luxury goods; easy success; summer unfavorable.
Wealth: Gains in metal and jade; wealth through public office; autumn great gain; summer loss; winter no gain.
Travel: Favorable; good to enter the capital; good toward the northwest; summer unfavorable.
Audiences: Favorable to meet great or virtuous people; suitable to meet officials.
Illness: Head, face, lung, sinew, bone, or upper-body ailments; summer unfavorable.
Litigation: Strong case; aided by influential people; autumn victory; summer loss.
Burials: Northwest orientation; Qian mountain energy; celestial sites; elevated ground; autumn yields noble descendants; summer extremely inauspicious.
Direction: Northwest
Colors: Deep red, dark (black)
Surnames: With metal radicals; Shang musical tone; 1-4-9 positions
Numbers: 1, 4, 9
Flavors: Pungent, spicy
Commentary:
[1] The “one” here refers to Qian being ordered first. Recall the ordering of the trigrams from previous parts of the book.
[2] The combination of Qian with the other trigrams result in hexagrams. You can check those out in a copy of the Yijing (I Ching).
Kun Trigram (☷) — Earth
Eight Earth
Kun is Earth, Earth–Thunder Fu, Earth–Marsh Lin, Earth–Heaven Tai,
Thunder–Heaven Da Zhuang, Marsh–Heaven Jue, Water–Heaven Xu, Water–Earth Bi
Heavenly phenomena: Clouds, overcast skies, fog.
Geography: Fields, countryside, plains, southwest.
People: Old mother, stepmother, farmers, villagers, crowds, big-bellied people.
Human affairs: Stingy, compliant, weak, numerous.
Body: Abdomen, spleen, stomach, flesh.
Time: Chen–Xu–Chou–Wei months; Wei–Shen cycles; 8-5-10 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Square items; soft things; cloth, silk, cotton; grains; carts, cauldrons; pottery.
Animals: Ox, all beasts, mares.
Dwellings: Southwest-facing; village homes; farmhouses; low houses; earthen steps; granaries.
Household fortune: Stable, heavy yin energy; spring—unsettled.
Food: Beef; earth-grown foods; sweet flavors; wild foods; grains; taro and bamboo shoots; internal organs.
Marriage: Favorable; suited to landed or rural families, widows’ households; spring unfavorable.
Childbirth: Generally easy; spring—difficult, harmful, or unfavorable to the mother; seat facing southwest.
Seeking fame: Reputation possible; southwest posts; teaching, agriculture, land administration; spring—empty fame.
Trade: Favorable; land and grain trade; cheap goods, heavy items, cloth; wealth through stillness; spring unfavorable.
Wealth: Gains from land or heavy/cheap goods; stillness brings wealth; spring—no wealth.
Plans: Favorable when seeking locally or quietly; spring—few successes; sometimes involves women.
Travel: Possible; favorable southwest or countryside travel; land routes; spring unfavorable.
Audiences: Possible; good to meet villagers, relatives, or yin-type people; spring unfavorable.
Illness: Abdominal, spleen, stomach ailments; indigestion.
Litigation: Smooth resolution; supported by public sentiment; disputes dissolve.
Burials: Southwest sites; flat ground near fields; low burial; spring—do not bury.
Surnames: Gong tone; earth-radical surnames; 8-5-10 positions
Numbers: 8, 5, 10
Direction: Southwest
Flavors: Sweet
Colors: Yellow, black
Zhen Trigram
Four Wood
Zhen is Thunder, Thunder–Earth Yu, Thunder–Water Jie, Thunder–Wind Heng, Earth–Wind Sheng, Water–Wind Jing, Marsh–Wind Da Guo, Marsh–Thunder Sui
Heavenly phenomena: Thunder.
Geography: East; forests; busy markets; main roads; bamboo groves; lush vegetation.
People: Eldest son.
Human affairs: Movement, anger, sudden fright, agitation, noise; much movement, little stillness.
Body: Feet, liver, hair, voice.
Time: Spring (three months); Mao cycles; 4-3-8 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Wood, bamboo, reeds; bamboo/wood musical instruments; fresh flowers and plants.
Animals: Dragon, snake.
Dwellings: East-facing homes; forest areas; towers and pavilions.
Household fortune: Sudden frights at times; spring and winter favorable; autumn unfavorable.
Food: Hooves, meat; wild game; fresh meat; sour fruits; vegetables.
Marriage: Possible and successful; notable families; marriage of eldest son; autumn unfavorable.
Wealth: Forest, bamboo, and wood resources; wealth through movement; mountain, bamboo, tea goods.
Seeking fame: Reputation attainable; eastern posts; command and proclamation roles; judicial offices; bamboo/tea/wood taxation; market administration.
Childbirth: Fright and restless fetus; first child male; seat facing east; autumn—harm.
Illness: Foot ailments; liver meridian illness; fright and anxiety.
Plans: Possible; better through action; autumn—failure.
Trade: Favorable through activity; autumn difficult; forest, wood, bamboo, tea trade.
Litigation: Contentious; repeated reversals; fright involved.
Audiences: Possible; meet forest dwellers or people of reputation.
Travel: Favorable eastward or to forests; autumn unfavorable; risk of fright.
Burials: East-facing; forest sites; autumn unfavorable.
Surnames: Jue tone; wood-radical surnames; 4-8-3 positions
Numbers: 4, 8, 3
Direction: East
Flavors: Sweet, sour
Colors: Blue, green, emerald
Xun Trigram
Five Wood
Xun is Wind, Wind–Heaven Xiao Chu, Wind–Fire Jia Ren, Wind–Thunder Yi,
Heaven–Thunder Wu Wang, Fire–Thunder Shi He, Mountain–Thunder Yi, Mountain–Wind Gu
Heavenly phenomena: Wind.
Geography: Southeast; lush vegetation; orchards and gardens.
People: Eldest daughter; scholars; widows; recluses or Daoist adepts.
Human affairs: Gentle, unstable, encouraging; triple profits; indecisive advance and retreat.
Body: Upper arms, thighs, qi, wind disorders.
Time: Transition from spring to summer; 3-5-8 cycles; Chen–Si cycles.
Inanimate objects: Fragrant woods; ropes; straight and long objects; bamboo and wood tools; crafted devices.
Animals: Chickens; birds; forest birds; insects.
Dwellings: Southeast-facing; temples, towers; forest dwellings.
Household fortune: Stable and profitable; spring favorable; autumn unsettled.
Food: Chicken; forest flavors; sour fruits and vegetables.
Marriage: Possible; suited to eldest daughter; autumn unfavorable.
Childbirth: Easy; first child female; autumn harms fetus; seat facing southeast.
Seeking fame: Reputation; literary or supervisory offices; tea, fruit, bamboo, wood taxation; southeast posts.
Wealth: Triple gains possible; forest resources; bamboo and wood trade; autumn unfavorable.
Trade: Successful but inconsistent; forest and tea/wood trade favorable.
Plans: Possible with wealth; autumn—many plans, little success.
Travel: Possible with gains; southeast favorable; autumn unfavorable.
Audiences: Possible; favorable to meet forest dwellers or scholars.
Illness: Limb ailments; wind disorders; intestinal disease; stroke; cold or qi disorders.
Surnames: Jue tone; grass/wood-radical surnames; 5-3-8 positions
Litigation: Prefer settlement; beware disciplinary or censorial punishment.
Burials: Southeast; forest sites with many trees; autumn unfavorable.
Numbers: 5, 3, 8
Direction: Southeast
Flavors: Sour
Colors: Blue, green, emerald, pure white
Kan Trigram
Six Water
Kan is Water, Water–Marsh Jie, Water–Thunder Zhun, Water–Fire Ji Ji,
Marsh–Fire Ge, Thunder–Fire Feng, Earth–Fire Ming Yi, Earth–Water Shi
Heavenly phenomena: Moon, rain, snow, frost, dew.
Geography: North; rivers, lakes, streams, wells; low and damp places.
People: Middle son; wanderers; boatmen; thieves.
Human affairs: Danger, entrapment, low position; outward softness, inward calculation; drifting, instability.
Body: Ears, blood, kidneys.
Time: Winter (11th month); Zi cycles; 1-6 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Liquids; pitted objects; bows and wheels; bent items; wine vessels; water tools.
Dwellings: North-facing; near water; water pavilions; river houses; damp interior areas.
Food: Pork; wine; cold foods; seafood; soups; sour foods; leftovers; fish; bloody foods; hidden foods; pitted foods; aquatic items; bony foods.
Household fortune: Unstable; obscured; guard against theft.
Marriage: Favorable for middle son; northern marriage; avoid Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei months.
Childbirth: Difficult and risky; second child favorable; male; avoid Chen-Xu-Chou-Wei months; face north.
Seeking fame: Difficult; risk of disaster; northern posts; fisheries, salt, river management.
Wealth: Gain with loss; water-side wealth; risk of loss or theft; fish, salt, wine trade.
Trade: Unfavorable; beware loss; water-side or fish/salt trade only.
Plans: Generally unfavorable; autumn and winter somewhat workable.
Travel: Avoid long journeys; boat travel acceptable; northward; beware theft and drowning risks.
Audiences: Hard to meet; meet water-related people.
Illness: Ear pain; heart disease; cold invasion; kidney disease; cold stomach; diarrhea; chronic cold disorders; blood disorders.
Litigation: Unfavorable; hidden danger; loss through lawsuits.
Burials: North-facing near water; generally unfavorable.
Surnames: Yu tone; water-radical surnames; 1-6 positions
Numbers: 1, 6
Direction: North
Flavors: Salty, sour
Colors: Black
Li Trigram
Three Fire
Li is Fire, Fire–Mountain Lü, Fire–Wind Ding, Fire–Water Wei Ji,
Mountain–Water Meng, Wind–Water Huan, Heaven–Water Song, Heaven–Fire Tong Ren
Heavenly phenomena: Sun, lightning, rainbows, glowing clouds.
Geography: South; dry lands; kitchens, furnaces, forges; hot, arid places; sunny terrain.
People: Middle daughter; scholars; large-bellied people; those with eye ailments; armored soldiers.
Human affairs: Writing, art, intelligence, learning, humility in meetings, documents.
Body: Eyes, heart, upper torso.
Time: Summer (5th month); Wu cycles; 3-2-7 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Fire; books; documents; armor; weapons; dried clothing; dry items; red objects.
Animals: Pheasant; turtle; soft-shell turtle; crab; snail; clam.
Dwellings: South-facing; bright houses; large windows; empty rooms.
Household fortune: Stable; winter unfavorable; if clashing—fire disasters.
Food: Pheasant; fried, roasted foods; dried meats; hot meats.
Marriage: Generally unfavorable; suited to middle daughter; summer favorable; winter unfavorable.
Childbirth: Easy; female child; winter harm; seat facing south.
Seeking fame: Reputation; southern posts; civil offices; metallurgy or kiln work.
Wealth: Gains in the south; document-based income; winter losses.
Plans: Favorable, especially involving documents.
Trade: Successful; document-based transactions favorable.
Travel: Favorable southward or document-related; winter unfavorable; avoid boat travel.
Audiences: Possible with southerners; winter unfavorable; autumn favors examiners or officials.
Litigation: Easily resolved; document-driven; clarity in arguments.
Illness: Eye disease; heart disease; upper-body heat; summer heatstroke; epidemics.
Burials: South-facing; open sunny sites; summer yields scholars; winter unfavorable.
Surnames: Zhi tone; person-radical or scholar surnames; 3-2-7 positions
Numbers: 3, 2, 7
Direction: South
Colors: Red, purple, crimson
Flavors: Bitter
Gen Trigram
7 Earth
Gen is Mountain, Mountain–Fire Bi, Mountain–Heaven Da Chu, Mountain–Marsh Sun, Fire–Marsh Kui, Heaven–Marsh Lü, Wind–Marsh Zhong Fu, Wind–Mountain Jian
Heavenly phenomena: Clouds, mist, mountain haze.
Geography: Mountain paths; hill towns; mounds; graves; northeast.
People: Youngest son; idle people; mountain dwellers.
Human affairs: Obstruction; stillness; indecision; reversal; stopping; invisibility.
Body: Fingers; bones; nose; back.
Time: Winter–spring; 12th month; Chou–Yin cycles; 7-5-10 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Earth and stone; melons; yellow items; buried things.
Animals: Tigers; dogs; rats; beasts; dark-beaked creatures.
Household fortune: Stable but obstructed; family discord; spring unfavorable.
Dwellings: Northeast-facing; near mountains or rocks; roadside homes.
Food: Earth flavors; meats; bamboo shoots near graves; wild game.
Marriage: Obstructed or delayed; suited to youngest son; spring unfavorable; local marriage preferred.
Seeking fame: Obstructed; northeast posts; land or mountain administration.
Wealth: Difficult; forest or mountain resources; spring losses.
Childbirth: Difficult and risky; face northeast; spring harm.
Trade: Hard to complete; land or mountain trade; spring losses.
Plans: Obstructed; indecisive.
Travel: Avoid long journeys; near-land travel only.
Audiences: Not advisable; meet forest dwellers only.
Illness: Finger ailments; spleen and stomach disorders.
Litigation: Blocked by influential people; unresolved entanglements.
Burials: Northeast; mountain sites; spring unfavorable; near roads with stones.
Numbers: 5, 7, 10
Direction: Northeast
Colors: Yellow
Flavors: Sweet
Dui Trigram
2 Metal
Dui is Marsh, Marsh–Water Kun, Marsh–Earth Cui, Marsh–Mountain Xian,
Water–Mountain Jian, Earth–Mountain Qian, Thunder–Mountain Xiao Guo, Thunder–Marsh Gui Mei
Heavenly phenomena: Rain, marsh moisture, new moon, stars.
Geography: Marshes; watersides; broken ponds; abandoned wells; landslides; saline ground.
People: Youngest daughter; concubines; singers; actors; translators; shamans.
Human affairs: Joy; speech; slander; gossip; eating and drinking.
Body: Tongue; mouth and throat; lungs; phlegm; saliva.
Time: Autumn (8th month); You cycles; 2-4-9 cycles.
Inanimate objects: Metal blades; metal items; instruments; broken or defective objects.
Animals: Sheep; marsh creatures.
Dwellings: West-facing; near marshes; damaged walls; broken doors.
Household fortune: Unstable; beware gossip; autumn joyful; summer disastrous.
Food: Lamb; marsh foods; stale flavors; pungent foods.
Marriage: Generally unfavorable; autumn favorable with joy; suitable for young women; summer unfavorable.
Childbirth: Unfavorable; risk to fetus or female birth; summer unfavorable; face west.
Seeking fame: Difficult; reputation brings harm; westward posts; judicial, military, performance, or translation roles.
Wealth: Losses common; disputes over money; autumn brings joy and wealth; summer losses.
Travel: Avoid long trips; beware gossip and loss; west favorable; autumn favorable.
Trade: Difficult; disputes; summer unfavorable; autumn profitable.
Plans: Hard to succeed; losses involved; autumn joy; summer failure.
Audiences: Favorable westward; meetings may involve curses or slander.
Illness: Mouth, throat disease; breathing disorders; inability to eat.
Burials: West-facing; beware water in grave; near marshes; summer unfavorable; abandoned graves.
Litigation: Endless disputes; unclear right and wrong; loss through lawsuits; autumn victory if Dui is the body trigram.
Surnames: Shang tone; mouth or metal radicals; 4-2-9 positions
Numbers: 4, 2, 9
Direction: West
Colors: White
Flavors: Pungent, spicy
The images of all things are as described on the right[1]; the variety of worldly matters is not limited to these alone. Those who divine should infer and extend according to each category.
Commentary:
[1] Traditional Chinese texts were written from top to bottom, right to left. Therefore, in this case, “on the right” is equivalent to “as above” for a text written from left to right, top to bottom.