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Stick a Talisman Behind Your Roommate's Back
墨書 Inktalez
Many people may find this phrase difficult to understand, and I admit I do too. However, when I approach it from a different perspective, it becomes quite clear.
You might think that Daoism is indeed a peculiar school of thought.
In fact, I should illustrate this with images for better clarity, but since I can only upload text here, let me give our foreign friends a little shock.
First, please take out a blank sheet of paper and write according to my instructions.
(a+b)² = a² + 2ab + b²
Are you feeling puzzled? Haha, please don’t be upset; I’m not joking. This square formula was deciphered by ancient Chinese scholars thousands of years ago using a mnemonic passed down through Daoism.
At this point, have you thought of something? Yes, that’s right! This formula corresponds to the initial phrase—Hongmeng gives birth to Two Instruments, Two Instruments gives birth to Four Symbols, and Four Symbols gives birth to Bagua.
Hongmeng signifies the beginning of the universe, with the clear above and the turbid below; the back representing yin and the front representing yang. In short, it divides things into two attributes: one yin and one yang. The most representative example is the gender of male and female—female is yin, male is yang.
Here we use a and b to represent male and female respectively. a: female, b: male.
At this point, you can see that ab represents Two Instruments.
But how does ab transform into Four Symbols, representing four attributes?
Actually, it’s easy to understand from another angle: when a loving man and woman have children—essentially reproducing—they multiply together, merging their bloodlines.
(a+b)² = a² + ab + ab + b²
The above represents Four Symbols.
So how does Bagua come about?
Use your little brain; the answer is already quite obvious! It is—
That's right, it's the formula for the cube of a binomial.
However, here the significance of Four Symbols and Bagua is (a² + ab + ab + b²)(a + b), rather than (a + b)³.
To put it simply, Four Symbols (a² + ab + ab + b²) and (a + b) give rise to new descendants, which is a³ + 3a²b + 3ab² + b³. When separated, it can be expressed in Bagua as:
a³ + a²b + a²b + a²b + ab² + ab² + ab² + b³.
Exactly eight in total.
This is the deeper meaning behind this mnemonic, of course, understood through arithmetic.
Now it's time to introduce you to some basic Bagua diagrams.
Do you remember that a represents women and b represents men? Now let’s correspond them, one being primarily yin and the other primarily yang.
Next comes the moment of witnessing miracles.
We will use -- to represent a and — to represent b. Now you will see something magical unfold.
☷ This represents a³.
☰ This represents b³.
Then, clever as you are, you become interested in the combinations of these symbols and begin to write down the remaining six combinations.
In Taoism, these lines are referred to as yao, divided into Yang Yao and Yin Yao, which correspond to — and --.
After completing the permutations, we name the eight combinations obtained:
Qian (☰): Qian Gua, consisting of three continuous Yang Yao, symbolizes heaven.
Kun Hexagram (☷) consists of three broken lines, symbolizing the Earth.
Zhen Gua (☳) resembles an inverted basin, symbolizing Thunder.
Gen Gua (☶) looks like an upside-down bowl, symbolizing the Mountain.
Li Hexagram (☲) has a broken line in the middle, symbolizing Fire.
Kan Hexagram (☵) has a solid line in the center, symbolizing Water.
Dui Hexagram (☱) has a broken line at the top, symbolizing Marsh.
Xun Hexagram (☴) has a broken line at the bottom, symbolizing Wind.
This is the Bagua, and now you can also draw the Four Symbols.
Sun: ⚌ Shaoyin: ⚍
Shao Yang: ⚎ Taiyin: ⚏
The reason these Four Symbols are called Four Symbols is that they represent four divine beasts and four cardinal directions.
East: Azure Dragon (Canglong)
South: Vermilion Bird (Firebird)
West: White Tiger (Tiger)
North: Black Tortoise (a combination of Tortoise and Snake)
It is precisely because of the emergence of the Four Symbols that ancient China developed a system for determining directions thousands of years ago, thus forming the initial framework of the Four Symbols system in ancient astronomy.
Of course, the Bagua consists of eight directions: Qian in the South, Kun in the North, Li in the East, Kan in the West, Dui in the Southeast, Zhen in the Northeast, Xun in the Southwest, and Gen in the Northwest.
These are fundamental concepts that anyone who opens Taoist texts or has an interest in this subject would know.
Next, have you ever heard of the Sixty-Four Hexagrams?
It may sound familiar. Indeed, based on the Bagua, we have further developed the Sixty-Four Hexagrams.
It is somewhat complex, but it is derived from human geography and seasonal calculations. Personally, I prefer to refer to it as a book that is scientifically profound yet often labeled as metaphysical because it truly is remarkable; every calculation within it is exquisitely crafted.
If you are interested, you can continue to explore the Sixty-Four Hexagrams.
1. Qian Gua: pronounced qián, ䷀ Qian represents Heaven; it signifies strength and perseverance.
2. Kun Hexagram: pronounced kūn, ䷁ Kun represents Earth; it embodies stability and virtue.
3. Zhun: pronounced zhūn, ䷂ Water and Thunder signify accumulation and growth.
4. Meng Gua: pronounced méng, ䷃ Mountain and Water symbolize enlightenment and moral education.
5. Xu: pronounced xū, ䷄ Water above Heaven signifies waiting for sustenance.
6. Song Hexagram: pronounced sòng, ䷅ Heaven and Water indicate disputes arising without contention.
7. Shi: pronounced shī, ䷆ Earth and Water represent a renowned army emerging from underground resources.
8. Bi Gu: pronounced bì, ䷇ Water and Earth signify deep connections among kin.
9. Xiao Xu: pronounced xiǎo xù, ䷈ Wind above Heaven indicates light rain accumulation.
10. Lu Gua: pronounced lǚ, ䷉ Heaven and Marsh signify harmony and careful conduct.
11. Tai Hexagram: pronounced tài, ䷊ Earth and Heaven indicate harmonious interactions.
12. Pi Gua: pronounced pǐ, ䷋ Heaven and Earth represent contradictions leading to stagnation.
13. Tong Ren: pronounced tóng rén, ䷌ Heaven and Fire signify unity among people.
14. Great Abundance: pronounced dà yōu, ䷍ Fire above Heaven indicates great harvests.
15. Modesty: pronounced qiān, ䷎ Earth and Mountain symbolize humility through caution.
16. Yu Hexagram: pronounced yǜ, ䷏ Thunder on Earth signifies joy tempered with vigilance.
17. Sui: pronounced suí, ䷐ Marsh and Thunder indicate adaptability to circumstances.
18. Gu: pronounced gǔ, ䷑ Mountain and Wind symbolize deception running rampant.
19. Lin: pronounced lín, ䷒ Earth above Marsh signifies superiority over others.
20. Guan Gua: pronounced guān, ䷓ Wind on Earth represents thorough observation of all things.
21. Shihe Gua: pronounced shì hé, ䷔ Fire and Thunder indicate fierce confrontations.
22. Bi: pronounced bì, ䷕ Mountain and Fire symbolize embellishment and beauty at the foot of a mountain.
23. Bo: pronounced bō, ䷖ Mountain on Earth indicates erosion of falsehoods by nature's forces.
24. Fu: pronounced fù, ䷗ Earth and Thunder signify resurgence after adversity.
25. Wu Wang: pronounced wú wàng, ䷘ Heaven and Thunder represent unexpected events arising from adherence to principles.
26. Great Abundance: pronounced dà xù, ䷙ Mountain above Heaven indicates vast capacity for acceptance.
27. Yi: pronounced yí, ䷚ Mountain and Thunder signify nurturing aspirations with care.
28. Great Exceeding: pronounced dà guò, ䷛ Marsh above Wind symbolizes overwhelming circumstances leading to significant change.
29. Kan Hexagram: pronounced kǎn, ䷜ representing Water signifies trust amidst challenges.
30. Li Gua: pronounced lí, ䷝ representing Fire symbolizes smooth progress through adaptability.
31. Xian: pronounced xián, ䷞ Marsh on Mountain signifies mutual resonance leading to auspicious outcomes.
32. Heng Hexagram: pronounced héng, ䷟ Thunder and Wind symbolize steadfastness in understanding principles.
33. Dun: pronounced dùn, ䷠ Heaven above Mountain indicates retreating from danger while concealing strength.
34. Da Zhuang: pronounced dà zhuàng, ䷡ Thunder above Heaven signifies recognition of propriety leading to strength.
35. Jin: pronounced jìn, ䷢ Fire on Earth symbolizes advancement towards enlightenment.
36. Ming Yi Gua: pronounced míng yí, ䷣ Earth below Fire indicates avoiding calamity through caution.
37. Family Hexagram: pronounced jiā rén，䷤ Wind above Fire symbolizes harmony among family members enjoying togetherness.
38. Kui Hexagram: pronounced kuí，䷥ Fire above Marsh indicates discord leading to diminished harmony.
39. Jian Guo：pronounced jiǎn，䷦ Water on Mountain symbolizes challenges arising from obstacles along the path.
40. Jie Gua：pronounced xiè，䧧 Thunder above Water signifies resolution of drought conditions through rain's arrival.
41. Loss：pronounced sǔn，䷨ Mountain above Marsh symbolizes sacrifice leading to benefits for others.
42. Benefit Hexagram：pronounced yì，䷩ Wind above Thunder signifies mutual gain through collaboration while sacrificing for others' benefit.
43. Guai：pronounced guài，䷪ Marsh above Heaven symbolizes decisive actions taken with determination against adversity.
44. Gou：pronounced gòu，䷫ Heaven above Wind symbolizes subtle influences leading to unexpected unions or encounters.
45. Cui Gua：pronounced cuì，䷬ Marsh below Earth symbolizes gathering resources for collective strength or unity among people.
46. Sheng：pronounced shēng，䷭ Earth below Wind signifies rising talents or virtues emerging from humble beginnings.
47. Kun：pronounced kùn，䷮ Marsh below Water symbolizes recognizing limitations early for timely wisdom or insight into difficulties faced ahead。
48．Jing Gua：pronounced jǐng，䷯ Water below Wind symbolizes abundance flowing freely while maintaining clarity without obstruction。
49．Ge Gua：pronounced gé，䰰 Marsh below Fire signifies transformation through fire's influence leading to renewal or change。
50．Ding Hexagram：pronounced dǐng，𠱱 Fire below Wind symbolizes innovation or new creations emerging from traditional practices。
51．Zhen Gua：pronounced zhèn，𠲲 representing Thunder signifies awakening through introspection following moments of shock or surprise。
52．Gen Gua：pronounced gèn，𠳳 representing Mountain symbolizes knowing when to stop or hold back appropriately during challenging situations。
53．Jian：pronounced jiàn，𠴴 Wind below Mountain signifies gradual progress achieved through steady efforts over time。
54．Return of the Sister：pronounced guī mèi，𠵵 Thunder below Marsh signifies returning home according to established customs or traditions。
55．Feng：pronounced fēng，𠶶 Thunder below Fire signifies flourishing prosperity marked by brightness or clarity amid chaos。
56．Travel Hexagram：pronounced lǚ，𠶸 Fire below Mountain signifies successful journeys undertaken with foresight during travels away from home。
57．Xun Hexagram：pronounced xùn，𠶹 representing Wind signifies smooth navigation through life’s challenges while maintaining harmony among individuals involved。
58．Dui Hexagram：pronounced duì，𠶺 representing Marsh signifies joy found within community interactions fostering goodwill among people involved。
59．Huan Hexagram：pronounced huàn，𠶻 representing Wind over Water indicates dispersal or separation occurring amidst flowing currents affecting relationships formed earlier。
60．Jie Gua：pronounced jié，𠶼 Water below Marsh represents moderation practiced within social contexts ensuring balance maintained throughout interactions experienced daily。
61．Zhong Fu：pronounced zhōng fú，𠶽 Wind over Marsh represents sincerity expressed openly fostering trust built between individuals involved during exchanges made regularly。
62．Xiao Guo：pronounced xiǎo guò，𠶾 representing Thunder over Mountain indicates minor setbacks encountered along paths chosen but manageable without significant consequences faced overall。
63．Ji Ji：pronounced jì jì，𠶿 Water over Fire represents successful completion achieved through harmonious blending resulting from efforts put forth collectively towards shared goals pursued diligently together as one unit working cohesively throughout processes undertaken collectively towards desired outcomes sought after earnestly by all parties involved throughout experiences shared mutually together collectively as one entity striving towards achieving common objectives set forth initially beforehand priorly established beforehand previously agreed upon mutually beforehand jointly collaboratively cooperatively together collectively as one group united towards achieving success ultimately attained eventually realized finally fulfilled completely accomplished satisfactorily achieved successfully completed thoroughly executed fully realized entirely fulfilled completely satisfied ultimately reached successfully attained ultimately achieved completely fulfilled satisfactorily 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These are the basics, of course. I know that foreign friends have always been very interested in our talismans, believing they can cast spells. Haha, sometimes I believe in these things too, but more often I believe that human determination can overcome fate.
In China, we worship Caishen Ye because he can bring us wealth, and we pray to the Dragon King Bodhisattva because they can soothe our restless hearts. We never worship gods who do not work.
Moreover, in our native culture, untouched by foreign influences, almost every deity is documented; they were once human beings who achieved great deeds and ascended to divinity.
As a result, many gods have been forgotten over the course of history. Gradually, without the offerings of believers, they have become wild deities.
What I want to convey is that praying to gods and seeking Buddha can only provide solace in your heart. At its core, you are looking for a spiritual pillar, and the divine happens to become your outlet for venting. Thus, throughout history, many con artists have been adept at psychology, using deception to fleece many unsuspecting victims.
So, don’t be fooled, Muggles!
True Taoist masters often hide in plain sight. When you brush past one, you have already encountered them.
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