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     Qigong/Yoga      Five Elements

Martial Arts     I Ching Meanings     Medical     Other  

Interpretation by Charm

Cloud Hands Blog

 


© Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 2004-2020
By Michael P. Garofalo, All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Eight Trigrams

Eight Trigrams Chart

 

 

   


I.  General Attributions

 



Trigram
Symbol

 

Trigram 
Name

Meaning

Direction

Season

Yin-Yang

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chien
Qián

Heaven, Sky, Air

South

Summer

Supreme Yang

 

     

     

     

 

 

Sun
Xùn

Wind

Southwest

Mid-Summer

Young Yin

 

    

 

      

 

 

K'an

Water

West

Autumn

Middle Yin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken
Gèn

Mountain

Northwest

Mid-Autumn

Mature Yin

 

         

   

 

 

 

K'un
Kūn

Earth

North

Winter

Supreme Yin

 

 

          

     

 

 

Chen
Zhèn

Thunder

Northeast

Mid-Winter

Young Yang

 

 

       

 

 

 

Li

Fire

East

Spring

Middle Yang

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tui
Duì

Lake
Valley

Southeast

Mid-Spring

Mature Yang

   

    

   

   

   

   

CM1

CM2

CM3

MG1

MG2

MG3

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

 


II.   General Attributions

 

Trigram
Symbol

Eastern
Cosmos

Five Elements
五行
Wǔxíng

Western
Cosmos

Daily Cycle

Annual Cycle

   

   

   

   

   

   

1

Chien
Heaven
South
Summer

Metal, Sky
West
White Tiger
Lung, Taste
Father

Will, Spirit
Intutition
Wood
Fire
South
Youth
Midday
Summer
Full Moon

Noon
12 pm - 3pm

June 21st - September21st
Summer Solstice
Lithia

 

     

     

     

2

Sun
Wind

Wood
East
Blue Dragon
Liver, Sight
Oldest Sister

 

Afternoon
3pm - 6 pm

 
 

    

       

3

K'an
Water
West
Autumn

Water
North
Black Tortoise
Kidney, Touch
Second Daughter

Emotions
Feelings
Water, Cups
Middle Age
Evening
Waning Moon
West
Autumn

Late Afternoon
Sunset
6 pm - 9pm

September 22nd -
December20th
Autumnal Equinox 

           

4

Ken
Mountain

Earth
Center
Yellow Dragon
Spleen. Smell
First Daughter

 

Evening
9pm - 12 pm

October 31st -
December 20th

 

         

   

     

5

K'un
Earth
North
Winter

Earth
Center
Yellow Dragon
Spleen, Smell
Mother

Body
Sensations
Earth, Coins
Old Age
Night
New Moon
North
Winter

Midnight
12 am - 3 am

December 21st  -
March 19th

   

          

     

6

Chen
Thunder

Wood
East
Blue Dragon
Liver, Sight
Oldest Brother

 

Early Morning
Sunrise
3am - 6am

February 2nd - March19th
Chinese New Year
Imbolic

   

       

     

7

Li
Fire
Spring
East

Fire
South
Red Phoenix
Heart, Sound
Second Son

Mind
Thinking
Air
Metal, Swords
Infancy
Dawn
Crescent Moon
Spring
East

Morning
6am - 9am

March 20th - June 20th
Spring Equinox, Ostara

           

8

Tui
Lake
Valley
Irrigated
Field

Metal, Lake
West
White Tiger
Lung, Taste
First Son

 

 

Mid-Morning
9am - 12pm

 

May 1st - June 20th
Beltane

  

   

   

   

   

   

CM4

CM5

CM6

MG4

MG5

MG6

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

 

 

 

Eight Trigrams by Mike Garofalo, 2005

 

 

 

 


III.  Martial Arts Attributions

 

Trigram
Symbol

Eastern
Cosmos

T'ai Chi Ch'uan

BaGua
Zhang

Coming

Coming

               

Chien
Heaven
South
Summer

Peng
Wardoff
Step Forward

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

      

 

 

 

 

Sun
Wind

Cai
Pulling
Move Back

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

 

 

 

 

 

K'an
Water
West
Autumn

Ji
Press
Face Left

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

Ken
Mountain

Kao
Shoulder

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

         

 

 

 

 

K'un
Earth
North
Winter

Lu
Roll Back
Centered

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

Chen
Thunder

Lie
Splitting
Move Back

Coming

Coming 

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

Li
Fire
Sprint
East

An
Push
Look Right

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

Tui
Lake
Valley
Marsh
Irrigated
Field

Shou
Elbow Strike
Step Forward

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

 

 

 

 

 

CM1

CM5

CM7

CM8

CM9

CM10

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart


IV.  Eight Core Hexagrams I Ching Attributions
   

Hexagram
Symbol

Number
Name

General 
Meaning

 

 

     



 

# 1
Chien
Khien
Heaven

"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.  

 

     

      

 

 

# 57
Sun
Wind

"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 in
movement." [Lt2]  
Meanings:  penetrating, gentleness. equaling, scattering.

 

    

 

 

 

#29
K'an
Khan
Pitfalls
Water

"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 diffiuclt
circumstances, flow like water around obstacles.    

 

 

 

 

 

# 52
Ken
Mountain

"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, inner
stillness.  

 

         

 

 

 

 

# 2
K'un
Khwan
Earth


"With earth, creativity and development are achieved in the faithfulness of the female horse.  The superior person 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.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

#51
Chen
Kân
Thunder


"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 and
vibrational energy.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

# 30
Li
Fire


"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.  

 

 

  

 

 

 

# 58
Tui
Joy


"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, 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

 

 

Qigong-Yoga Exercise Cycle.  By Michael P. Garofalo.              Baguazhang & Trigrams

 

 


V.  Taijiquan and Yoga Exercise Workout Cycle

 

Exercise
Cycle

Energy
Levels

Eight Brocades
Qigong

Eight Rivers
Qigong

   

  

      

      

 
1
Chen

     

Warm-up
Thunder over Earth

Bouncing on Toes

Turning the
Thunderous 
Prayer Wheel

   

       

 

 

   
2
Li


      

Heat Building
Springtime Gusto
Starting the Fire

Punching with
Angry Eyes

Grasping the
Fire Dragon's Tail

  

 

      

 

 
3
Tui


       

Energetic and Joyful
Rivers Run Down to
the Warm Valley
Increase Circulation

Bending Down
and Bending Back

The Wild Geese Joyfully Return to the Lake in the Valley

   

  

 

 

 
4
Chien


     

Vigorous
Summertime
Fire in the Heavens
Pure Yang

Bear

Salutation to
the Stars

  

           

  

  

 
5
Sun


    

Lively
Moving
Following the Wind

Drawing the Bow

The Wind Moves 
the Clouds

   

   

 

 

 
6
K'an


      

 

Cooling Down
Slowing Down
Feel the Autumn Rain

Holding Up the Void

Coming

   

 

 

  

 
7
Ken


      

Calming
Cooling
Pausing
Rest on the Mountain

Separate Heaven
and Earth

Coming

    

 

 

 

 
8
K'un


     

Resting
Relaxing
Pure Yin
Winter
Snow on the Earth

Wise Owl

Coming

   

  

 

 

MG7

MG8

MG9

MG10

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

 


VI.  Medical Attributions

 

Trigram

Coming

Bodily
Associations

Coming

Coming

Coming

   

  

  

      

 

 

   

Chien
Heaven
South
  

Coming

 

Head
Lungs
Taste

Coming

Coming

Coming

   

       

 

 

 

 

 

Sun
Wind
 

Coming

Thighs
Liver
Sight

Coming

Coming

Coming

  

       

 

    

 

 

 

K'an
Water
West
 

Coming

Ears
Kidney
Touch

Coming

Coming

Coming

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

Ken
Mountain

 

Coming

Hands
Spleen
Smell

Coming

Coming

Coming

  

          

 

 

 

 

 

K'un
Earth
North

 

Coming

Belly
Spleen
Smell

Coming

Coming

Coming

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

Chen
Thunder
  

Coming

Foot
Liver
Sight 

Coming

Coming

Coming

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Li
Fire
East
  

Coming

Eyes
Heart
Sound

Coming

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Tui
Valley
  

Coming

Mouth
Lung
Taste

Coming

Coming

Coming

  

  

 

 

 

 

CM14

CM15

CM16

CM17

CM18

CM19

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

 


VII.  Other Attributions

 

Trigram

Qigong

Buddhism
Eightfold Path

Mountains
Rivers Zen
Order

Coming

Coming

   

 

      

      

      

  

Chien
Heaven
South
  

Direct Qi
Transmit Qi

Skillful
Action

Right
Action

Coming

Coming

  

       

 

 

 

 

Sun
Wind
 

Conserve Qi

Skillful
Livelihood

Work
Practice

Coming

Coming

   

       

    

    

    

 

K'an
Water
West
 

Dissolve Qi

Skillful
Effort

Body
Practice

Coming

Coming

   

  

 

 

 

 

Ken
Mountain

 

Transform Qi

Skillful
Mindfulness

Zazen

Coming

Coming

  

          

 

 

 

 

K'un
Earth
North

 

Store Qi

Skillful
Concentration

Liturgy

Coming

Coming

  

  

 

 

 



Chen
Thunder
  

Discover Qi
Gather Qi

Skillful
Understanding

Zen Study

Coming

Coming

  

 

 

 

 

 

Li
Fire
East
  

Circulate Qi

Skillful
Thinking

Academic
Study

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

Tui
Valley

  

Purify Qi

Skillful
Speech

Art
Practice

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

CM20

CM21

CM22

CM23

CM24

CM25

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

 

 


VIII.  Five Elements, Five Movements

 

Trigram

Element

Bodily
Associations

Attributes

Coming

Coming

       

           

   

  

    

  

 

  
Chien
Heaven
Sky
Air
East

Wood

Liver
Gall Bladder
Eyes
Tendons
Muscles
Nails, Nerves

Green
Spring
East
Windy
Sour

Coming

Coming

          

            

  

  

    

  

 

Li
Fire
South
  


Fire

Heart
Small Intenstine
Tongue
Blood Vessles

Red
Summer
South
Hot
Bitter

Coming

Coming

      

           

     

   

  

    

 

K'un
Earth
Southwest

 

Earth

Spleen
Stomach
Mouth
Flesh, Muscles

Yellow
Late Summer
Center
Damp
Sweet

Coming

Coming

     

         

   

  

  

  

 

Ken
Mountain
West

 

Metal

Lungs
Large Intenstine
Bladder
Nose
Skin, Hair

White
Autumn
West
Dry
Pungent

Coming

Coming

    

           

   

  

  

  

 

K'an
Water
North
 

Water

Kidney
Bladder
Ears
Bones, Teeth
Hair

Dark Blue
Winter
North
Cold
Salty

Coming

Coming

 

  

 

 

 

 

CM26

CM26

CM26

CM26

CM26

  

 

 

 

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

Baguazhang & Trigrams

Qigong-Yoga Exercise Cycle.  By Michael P. Garofalo.

 

Eight Trigrams

Taijiquan

 

 

Eight Trigrams by Mike Garofalo, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Sacred Circle at the Valley Spirit Center
Chart of Associations, Attributions, Elementals, Spirits, and Symbolism
Eastern and Western Magicks

Our Sacred Circle Garden in Red Bluff, California

 


Valley
Spirit
Sacred
Circle
Symbolism
 

Eastern
Cosmos
Trigrams

Five Elements
五行
Wǔxíng

Western
Cosmos

Magick

Daily Cycle
Human Age

                   
North
Green
Earth
Winter
Body
Oaks

K'un
Earth
North
Winter


 

Earth
Center
Yellow Dragon
Spleen, Smell
Mother
Valley Spirit
Body, Flesh, Beings
Sensations
Touch
Earth, Soil, Stone
Birth and Death
Night
New Moon
Pentacle, Coins
North
Winter
Trees and Shrubs
Salt
Oak Trees

Midnight
12 am - 3 am

Conception to Birth
to 10 Years Old:
Babies, 
Childhood,
and 90-100+ Years Old

Birth and Death
 

                 
Northeast
Lime Green
Cypresses
 
Chen
Thunder

Wood
East
Blue Dragon
Liver, Sight
Oldest Brother
 
Early Morning
Sunrise
3am - 6am

10 to 20 Years Old

 

            
East
Yellow
Air
Spring
Mind
Spirit
Olives

 


Li
Fire
Spring
East


 

Fire
South
Red Phoenix
Heart, Sound
Second Son

Mind
Thinking
Air
Smell
Metal, Swords
Childhood and Youth
Dawn
Crescent Moon
Spring
East
Incense, Bells
Olives, Aspens
 
Morning
6am - 9am

20 to 30 Years Old
Young Adults

             
Southeast
Orange
Bottlebrush

Tui
Lake
Valley
Irrigated
Field

 

Metal, Lake
West
White Tiger
Lung, Taste
First Son
   

Mid-Morning
9am - 12pm

30 to 40 Years Old

 

                   

South
Red
Fire
Summer
Will
Action
Bay Laurel

Chien
Heaven
South
Summer

Metal, Sky
West
White Tiger
Lung, Taste
Father

Will, Spirit
Intuition
Wood
Fire
Sight
South
Adult and Middle Age
Midday
Summer
Full Moon

Staff, Stave
Red Candle
Almonds
Walnuts

 

Noon
12 pm - 3pm

40 to 50 Years Old

                   
Southwest
Purple
Redwoods
 

Sun
Wind



 
Wood
East
Blue Dragon
Liver, Sight
Oldest Sister
  Afternoon
3pm - 6 pm

50 to 60 Years Old

         
West
Blue
Water
Autumn
Emotions

K'an
Water
West
Autumn


 

Water
North
Black Tortoise
Kidney, Touch
Second Daughter
Emotions, Blood
Feelings
Water, Cups
Taste
Middle and Old Age
Evening
Waning Moon
West
Autumn
Cauldron, Chalice
Willows, Laurels
Late Afternoon
Sunset
6 pm - 9pm

60 to 70 Years Old
Wise Elders

   Inner Entrance              
Northwest
Turquoise
Liquid Ambers
 
Ken
Mountain


Earth
Center
Yellow Dragon
Spleen. Smell
First Daughter
  Evening
9pm - 12 pm

70 to 80+ Years Old
Wise Elders

 

         
 

Center
White
 

Tai Chi
Grant Ultimate
 
Wholeness
Harmony
Interdependence
Individual Self
Circle
Web
White - All Colors

 
 
         

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

 

 

 


Sacred Circle at the Valley Spirit Center
Chart of Associations, Attributions, Elementals, Spirits, and Symbolism
Western Emphasis

Our Sacred Circle Garden in Red Bluff, California

 


Valley
Spirit
Sacred
Circle
Symbolism
 

Western
Cosmos

Magick

Daily Cycle
Human Age

Annual Cycle
Neo-Pagan and Secular Holidays
Liturgical Rites

 

Deities
Spirits
Ancients
Elementals

 

                 
North
Green
Earth
Winter
Body
Oaks
Body, Flesh, Beings
Sensations
Touch
Earth, Soil, Stone
Birth and Death
Night
New Moon
Pentacle, Coins
North
Winter
Trees and Shrubs
Salt
Oak Trees

Midnight
12 am - 3 am

Conception to Birth
to 10 Years Old:
Babies, 
Childhood,
and 90-100+ Years Old

Birth and Death
 

December 21st  -
March 19th
Yule
New Year
Christmas
Goddess
Mother
Ceres Demeter
 Gaea, Rhea
Dionysos
Pan
Gnomes
         
Northeast
Lime Green
Cypresses
 
 
Early Morning
Sunrise
3am - 6am

10 to 20 Years Old

 

February 2nd - March19th
Imbolic
Chinese New Year
 
         
East
Yellow
Air
Spring
Mind
Spirit
Olives

 


Mind
Thinking
Air
Smell
Metal, Swords
Childhood and Youth
Dawn
Crescent Moon
Spring
East
Incense, Bells
Olives, Aspens
 
Morning
6am - 9am

20 to 30 Years Old
Young Adults

March 20th - June 20th
Spring Equinox, Ostara
Memorial Day
Son
Aradia
Athena
Minerva
Hermes
Zeus
Sylphs
              
Southeast
Orange
Bottlebrush
   

Mid-Morning
9am - 12pm

30 to 40 Years Old

 

May 1st - June 20th
Beltane
 
              

South
Red
Fire
Summer
Will
Action
Bay Laurel


Will, Spirit
Intuition
Wood
Fire
Sight
South
Adult and Middle Age
Midday
Summer
Full Moon

Staff, Stave
Red Candle
Almonds
Walnuts

 

Noon
12 pm - 3pm

40 to 50 Years Old

June 21st - September 21st
Summer Solstice
Lithia
Labor Day
Father
Hestia
Vesta
Horus Vulcan
Salamanders
 
             
Southwest
Purple
Redwoods
 
  Afternoon
3pm - 6 pm

50 to 60 Years Old

L

August 1st - September 21st
First Harvest Festival,
Mid-Summer Harvest Festival,
Lughnasadh, Lammas
Lithia
Labor Day

 
         
West
Blue
Water
Autumn
Emotions
Evergreen Shrubs
Emotions, Blood
Feelings
Water, Cups
Taste
Middle and Old Age
Evening
Waning Moon
West
Autumn
Cauldron, Chalice
Willows, Laurels
Late Afternoon
Sunset
6 pm - 9pm

60 to 70 Years Old
Wise Elders

September 22nd -
December 20th
Autumnal Equinox
Mabon
Daughter
Aphrodite
Poseidon
Neptune
Undines
 
           
Northwest
Turquoise
Liquid Ambers
 
  Evening
9pm - 12 pm

70 to 80+ Years Old
Wise Elders

 

October 31st -
December 20th
Halloween
Samhain
Thanksgiving
 
         
 

Center
White
 


Wholeness
Harmony
Interdependence
Individual Self
Circle
Web
White - All Colors

 
  Year
Annual Cycle
A Human Life
 
 
         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight Trigrams and Hexagrams Charts

Links, Bibliography and Resources

 

 

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.    

 

We are the leading the world in providing best actualtests VCP5-DCV and certkiller 000-006 prep solutions. Our incredible offers for testking 642-813 and testking 642-832 are accessible at reasonable prices; our testking 352-001 is very rare in IT world.

 

Ba Gua Zhang ( Pa Kua Chang):  Bibliography, links, resources, quotes, and notes.  The Eight Palms and circle walking internal martial arts. 


Baguazhang
 


Cloud Hands Blog


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)  


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   

 

Green Way Blog by Mike Garofalo



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.  


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. 


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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight Trigrams Chart

Notes, Comments, Chart References

 


Chinese Models of the Eight Trigrams
Traditional Chinese Associations and Attributes for Eight Trigrams
Traditional Taoist, Chinese Medicine, Qigong, Martial Arts Associations

 

CM1

 

CM2

 

CM3

 

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 philosophy
and 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 to
the Book of Changes, are explained and described.   

T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the I Ching.  By Da Liu.  Harper Collins, 1972.  ISBN: 0060616679.

 

 

CM11CM12CM13

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, extensive
recommended reading list, 316 pages.  ISBN: 0809295288.

 

CM22

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.

 

CM23

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.  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.  

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

MG1

"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 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.  

 

MG2

A reader cannot help but notice that these associations are common amongst people living
in the northern hemisphere, 35°North to 55°North latitudes.  The annual cycle of the seasons
of 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. 

 

MG3

 

MG4

 

MG5

 

MG6

 

MG7

 

MG8

 

MG9

 

Eight Section Brocade Qigong   By Michael P. Garofalo.  309Kb, April, 2005.
Provides information about the history and purpose of this popular Chi Kung practice.  Detailed
descriptions 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 resources
available anywhere.  Some animated graphics are provided in linked files.  This document
is updated as new information is discovered.  This qigong set is the most popular set
practiced 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. 

 

MG10


 

 

 

 

Quotations, Sayings, Notes
Models Based on Eight Elements
Eightfold Paths

 

 

"The Eight Elements West

1.  Consistent Exercise
Energize through safe, results-oriented exercise.

2. Body Alignment
Promote proper posture, spinal strength with flexibility, and body awareness.

3.  Natural Nutrition
Implement sound eating practices for life.  

4.  Sound Mind
Embrace life obstacles with self-awareness, reflection, imagination and creativity.

5.  Relaxation and Centering  
Cultivate and calm the bodymind connection everyday.

6.  Community and Environment
Surround yourself with trusted friends and family. Be kind to the Earth.

7.  Individual Action
Time is precious. Let change begin now, with you.

8.  Heart of the Human Spirit
Transform 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

 

 

Cloud Hands Blog

 

 

 

 

 

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


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.      

 

Feng Shui Chart

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interpretation of the I-Ching by Charm Virgo

Coming in June 2013
Sent to Mike Garofalo by Email on June 1, 2013. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Cloud Hands - Yun Shou

Cloud Hands Homepage

 

 

 

Michael P. Garofalo's E-mail


Valley Spirit Taijiquan

Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, Northern California, U.S.A.
Close to the Cities of Chico, Orland, Corning, Los Molinos, Cottonwood, Anderson, and Redding CA

 

This webpage was last modified or updated on May 26, 2013. 
This webpage was first place online on June 10, 2004. 

 

© Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 2004-2013
By Michael P. Garofalo, All Rights Reserved.

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