- Quickstart Feng Shui: Exploring the 8 Trigrams

Ever wondered how Feng Shui works? Let's start with the basics: the 8 Trigrams. These symbols represent the flow of energy called Qi. Picture Yin and Yang – opposites that balance each other. Yin is like a broken line, while Yang is like a solid line. Together, they create the first two trigrams. Then, from these, four more come to life. Finally, we end up with eight trigrams, each showing different energy patterns. These patterns help us understand how energy moves and interacts in our spaces. It's all about finding balance and harmony in the world around us. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of Feng Shui through the lens of these ancient symbols.

How are the trigrams used in Feng Shui analysis and adjustments?

In Feng Shui, every person has a specific trigram, determined by their Kua number, calculated based on their birth year. Each building also has its own trigram, determined by its magnetic orientation. Also, buildings are associated with a Kua number based on the year they were constructed, corresponding to a Star and a trigram. These factors are crucial in understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics.

Two fundamental methods in Feng Shui analysis, Ba Zhai or the Nine Palaces Method, and the Flying Stars Method, rely on analyzing these trigrams and their interactions to assess different aspects and compatibility with occupants. Therefore, it's important to grasp the significance of the 8 trigrams, their associations, and attributes, whether we're discussing Palaces linked to the trigrams or Flying Stars associated with them.

What are the meanings of each trigram associated with Palaces?

Trigrams within the Magic Square showcase how Qi naturally flows and changes, helping us understand its impact on people. By positioning Trigrams in the Bagua grid and connecting them with elements, we can see how the five elements transform over time. This concept is also known as the Bagua After Birth.

Bagua Hou Tian (After Birth)

This diagram is a perfect guide for understanding which element corresponds to each direction (Palace). For instance, when we talk about the South Palace, we're talking about Fire as its linked element. Similarly, the North Palace is always linked with Water, and the pattern continues in other directions.

☴ Xun - SE

• Element: Yin Wood (Yi)
• Number: 4
• Meteorology: Wind (Representation: Wind)
• Geography: Southeastern regions, gardens, areas with abundant vegetation
• Individuals: Eldest daughter, widow, monk, sister-in-law
• Body: Arms, thighs. Diseases related to "wind" and gas accumulation. Gall bladder, arteries, veins, limbs
• Animals: All land animals, Rooster
• Colors: Light green, light jade
• Food: Sour fruits, terrestrial wild animals
• Taste: Sour
• Commerce: Successful commerce with wood, plants, fruits
• Seasons: Spring brings luck versus Autumn brings misfortune
• Virtues: Charisma + imposition are the qualities by which a person enters somewhere and asserts oneself)
• Corresponds to: academic knowledge, learning, memory

☲ Li - S

• Element: Fire (Yin and Yang)
• Number: 9
• Meteorology: Sun, atmospheric electricity, rainbow, pinkish clouds (Representation: Fire)
• Geography: Dry places, furnaces, underground locations
• Individuals: Middle daughter, writers, people with a bulky abdomen, soldiers, people with congenital eye problems
• Body: Eyes, heart, San Jiao (the three focal points), small intestine
• Animals: Wild chickens, turtles, crabs, lobsters, pheasants
• Colors: Red, purple, bright orange, pink, violet
• Food: Wild chicken, fried foods, food cooked over fire
• Taste: Bitter, sweet-bitter
• Commerce: Commerce with newspapers, magazines, and books, can be very successful
• Seasons: Winter brings misfortune, and accidents due to fire, and Summer means success
• Virtues: Happiness

☷ Kun - SW

It is the Pure Yin - the perfect receptive nature of the Universe.

• Element: Yin Earth
• Number: 2
• Meteorology: Dark clouds, fog
• Geography: Villages, flat areas
• Individuals: Mother, stepmother, farmer, villager, corpulent people
• Body: Abdomen, spleen, stomach, skin, tissues, muscles, tumors
• Animals: Cow, donkey
• Colors: Yellow, brown, dark earthy tones
• Food: Cereals, internal organs, beef, sweet foods
• Taste: Sweet
• Commerce: Real estate business
• Seasons: Spring brings misfortune; family concerns
• Virtues: Diplomacy
• Represents: the sector of compassion, the quality of gathering

☳ Zhen - E

• Element: Yang Wood
• Number: 3
• Meteorology: Thunderstorm (Representation: Thunder)
• Geography: Eastern regions, bamboo forests, lush vegetation
• Individuals: Eldest son
• Body: Legs (especially from the knees down), hair, voice, liver, gall bladder, arteries, veins, limbs
• Animals: Snake, dragon, insects
• Colors: Dark green, jade color
• Food: Fruits, vegetables, fish, wild animals
• Taste: Sweet-sour
• Commerce: Trade in tea, wood, plants (medicinal)
• Seasons: Spring is luck, Autumn is misfortune, family upheaval
• Virtues: Hard work
• Corresponds to: physical movement, action, capacity to move, and decision-making

☱ Dui - W

• Element: Yin Metal (Xin)
• Number: 7
• Meteorology: Rain, waxing moon, stars (Representation: Swamp)
• Geography: Swamp, water's edge, pond, fountain, areas prone to landslides
• Individuals: The young girl, mistresses, singers, actors, translators, sorcerers, slaves
• Body: Tongue, mouth, throat, lungs, phlegm, saliva, large intestine, brain
• Animals: Swamp creatures, Goat
• Colors: White
• Food: Lamb, swamp animals, spicy food
• Taste: Spicy
• Commerce: Not a favorable trigram for commerce
• Seasons: Autumn brings happiness and Summer brings family accidents
• Virtues: Laughter
• Corresponds to: Communication in general and with partners specifically, beauty, and physical beauty

☶ Gen - NE

• Element: Yang Earth
• Number: 8
• Meteorology: Clouds, mist (Representation: Mountain)
• Geography: Winding roads, areas near hills, cemeteries
• Individuals: Youngest son, teenagers, those with plenty of free time, hermits
• Body: Fingers, bones, nose, back, sacral area ("coccyx"), skin, tissues, muscles, tumors
• Animals: Tiger, dog, rodents
• Colors: Yellow
• Food: Vegetables, meats, bamboo
• Taste: Sweet
• Commerce: Favorable commerce with land, but not in spring
• Seasons: Spring means misfortune
• Virtues: Moderation, the ability to say stop when necessary

☵ Kan - N

• Element: Water (Yin and Yang)
• Number: 1
• Meteorology: Moon, rain, snow, dew, frost, water (Representation: Water)
• Geography: Lake, pond, river, fountain
• Individuals: Middle son, fishermen, pirates, sailors
• Body: Ears, blood, kidneys, bladder
• Animals: Pig, fish, aquatic animals
• Colors: Black (and blue)
• Direction: North
• Food: Pork, wine, seafood, soups, preserved foods
• Taste: Sour-salty
• Commerce: Commerce with fish, salt, or wine
• Seasons: Autumn and winter bring success
• Virtues: Heroism, adrenaline-fueled courage

☰ Qian - NW

It is the pure Yang, the most refined nature of Heavenly energy, movement, and activity.

• Element: Yang Metal
• Number: 6
• Meteorology: Sky, ice, hail (Representation: Sky)
• Geography: Capital cities, large districts, famous residences, high places
• Individuals: Father, emperor, famous people, bosses, leaders
• Body: Head, bones, lungs, large intestine, brain
• Animals: Horse, swan, lion, elephant, large animals
• Colors: Gold, silver, white; sometimes red and black
• Direction: Northwest
• Food: Delicacies, bones, liver, lungs, brain, dried meat, spicy or hot food
• Taste: Spicy
• Commerce: Trade in gold, gemstones, jewelry, luxury items
• Seasons: Autumn brings family prosperity, Spring brings luck, Summer means accidents, and Winter is sadness
• Virtues: Physical power (vital energy)
• Corresponds to: the leadership sector.

What is the significance of each trigram's attributes when associated with Flying Stars?

In Feng Shui, Flying Stars represent a complex energy system that impacts the Qi (energy) within a building or area. These stars, numbered from 1 to 9, are linked to specific directions in the space. All but the 5th star are associated with a trigram because, in the Bagua After Birth, the 5th star corresponds to the Central Palace, which is linked to Earth.

Each section of the Bagua grid corresponds to a direction and carries a particular Flying Star. These stars aren't stationary; they move according to specific rules, hence the name "Flying Stars". Their movement influences the energy flow in the space, affecting various aspects of occupants' lives such as health, wealth, relationships, and overall well-being.

4 Green - Associated trigram ☴ Xun

• General attribute: neutral star
• Corresponding element: Wood
• Planet: Jupiter, representing growth, prosperity, and harmony.
• Shape: highly irregular
• Positive attributes: it's the star of knowledge and learning, success through knowledge (front star 4); it's also the star of sexuality (back star 4); beauty/success in book sales or film scripts; success in music, composition, or performance; it's equivalent to the "Eating God" in BaZi; promotes quality relationships between people
• Negative attributes: problems in interpersonal relationships, scandals, adultery, excessive flirting; hypocrisy, exhibitionism, deviant sexual behaviors; buttock and hip injuries
• Associated individuals: eldest daughter, widows, hermits
• Businesses: involving books, copyright, film directing
• As a front star: beneficial for communication
• As a back star: learning, knowledge, quality relationships (strengthened by positive Water formations)
• Miscellaneous:
  • if affected, the person may not have many diplomas.
  • Ideally placed as a back star in the bedroom (if in the living room, it is inactive).
  • It should not be deactivated by external shapes.

9 Purple - Associated trigram ☲ Li

• General attribute: neutral star/good during period 8
• Corresponding element: Fire
• Planets: Sun, symbolizing passion, inspiration, and illumination.
• Shape: interconnected mountains with many valleys
• Positive attributes: job promotion, happy events, good news, popularity, radiance; beauty, elegance, glory, passion, expressiveness, clarity; It's the "star of future wealth"; It's equivalent to the "Hurting Officer" in BaZi.
• Negative attributes: boastfulness, sadness, dissatisfaction, misunderstandings, lies; Eye problems, heart issues; Decline in career, inability to communicate effectively; Fire risk
• Associated individuals: middle daughter
• Businesses: any profession or business with the potential to promote oneself and make oneself known
• As a front star: communication issues
• As a back star: happy and favorable events

2  Black - Associated trigram ☷ Kun

• General attribute: negative star
• Corresponding element: Earth
• Planet: Saturn, representing stability, structure, and grounding.
• Shape: flat plateau
• Positive attributes:
  • if manifested, it aids in the quick recovery from chronic illnesses (but could happen that another appears)
• Negative attributes:
  • major digestive problems, stomach diseases,
  • frequent illnesses, contagious diseases, decreased immunity,
  • repeated spontaneous abortion (especially in the combination 2-1),
  • infectious diseases;
  • pessimism, major depression, suicide, decreased willpower, vitality, and self-confidence;
  • disasters, earthquakes, landslides
• Associated individuals: mother, eldest woman in the house, nanny
• Businesses: properties, real estate, passive income from real estate businesses
• As a front star: benefits for real estate businesses / self-inflicted illnesses due to overwork
• As a back star: serious health deterioration. In this position, the negative power of the star is amplified.

3 Jade - Associated trigram ☳ Zhen

• General attribute: negative star (or, due to its active qualities, often considered positive for athletes, fighters, bullies, criminals, police officers, and military personnel)
• Corresponding element: Wood / (Earth)
• Planet: Mars, symbolizing action, initiative, and vitality.
• Shape: flat plateau with "fingers" - collateral mountain stretches
• Positive attributes: calculated risks, success through direct personal involvement, communication, and leadership skills
• Negative attributes: foot injuries, nervousness, liver diseases; aggressiveness, conflicts, fights, misunderstandings, quarrels; gossip, negative rumors, blackmail, lawsuits, robberies, thefts, muggings; loss of money through lawsuits, loss of friends due to quarrels
• Associated individuals: eldest son
• Businesses: beneficial for debt collectors, loan sharks, hired killers, police officers, military personnel
• As a front star: usually indicates a loss of enthusiasm
• As a back star: major misunderstandings
• Miscellaneous:
  • This star in the bedroom = coldness between partners (if reinforced by external shapes = likely divorce)
  • It's also the star of money loss and indicates the inability to save money and that the person is very spendthrift.
  • If you have it in your office = you lose money

5 Yellow

• General attribute: negative star (the most unfavorable star)
• Corresponding element: Earth
• Planet: Mercury, symbolizing communication, intelligence, and adaptability.
• Shape: many sharp peaks
• Positive attributes: when manifested, it can generate patriotic spirit, charisma, and great persuasive power.
• Negative attributes: blockages, bankruptcy, misfortunes, bad luck, catastrophes, disasters, serious illnesses, eccentricity, revenge, crime, abuse, rape, fatal accidents
• As a front star: irreparable blockages, total bankruptcy, misfortunes, bad luck, catastrophes, disasters, serious illnesses, crimes, rape, robbery followed by murder, slow and agonizing death accidents, undiagnosed and very painful diseases, cancers, etc.
• As a back star: same as when positioned as a front star
• Miscellaneous:
  • Avoid worries and don't panic.
  • Whatever you do, surely the southwest of any house will contain this star, but for it to manifest significantly, it must be activated by negative external shapes, but also in certain cases, the energy of the 5 could be used in major competition or confrontations.

7 Red - Associated trigram ☱ Dui

• General attribute: negative star
• Corresponding element: Metal
• Planet: Saturn, symbolizes discipline, responsibility, and authority.
• Shape: many rounded peaks
• Positive attributes: communication skills, ability to make money through speech and discourse, metaphysical abilities
• Negative attributes: brings sexually transmitted diseases, mouth ulcers, mouth wounds, canker sores, surgeries; rape, robberies, muggings, hostages (someone takes you hostage, but also takes advantage of you a bit); bites, knife cuts, murder; mouth surgeries, dental, genital surgeries
• Associated individuals: youngest daughter, actors, singers, lecturers, surgeons, dentists
• Businesses: public speaking, sales agents
• As a front star: benefits for communication / creates great manipulators through speech. That's why it's considered the "conviction through speech" star / or someone somehow manipulates you
• As a back star: wounds, thefts, robberies, etc. / sexually transmitted diseases appear
• Miscellaneous:
  • In combination with 5 brings murder.
  • Look for 4 back and 7 if you want a "kinky" or "safe" life.

8 White - Associated trigram ☶ Gen

• General attribute: positive star
• Corresponding element: Earth
• Planets: Mars, representing courage, strength, and assertiveness.
• Shape: two rounded peaks, the left one larger
• Positive attributes: wealth, prosperity, peace, harmony, gentleness; it's the main star of wealth, prosperity, gains, and riches
• Negative attributes: it manifests very rarely and when it does, it affects children up to 12 years old, especially boys; mild but long-lasting health issues; problems with the spine, introversion, excessive impatience
• Associated individuals: youngest son
• Businesses: any honest and fair business
• As a front star: prosperity/material situation
• As a back star: prosperity/health and relationships
• Miscellaneous: Its deactivation as a back star will manifest negative characteristics such as relational problems and fertility issues.

1 White - Associated trigram ☵ Kan

• General attribute: positive star Corresponding element: Water (Yin and Yang)
• Planet: Jupiter, symbolizing growth, expansion, and abundance.
• Shape: rounded with a prominent peak
• Positive attributes: the star of nobility, fame, and reputation;
  • governs emotions, feelings, thoughts, and wisdom;
  • also considered the star of academic knowledge
• Negative attributes: arise from the fact that the Kan trigram corresponds to the concept of "darkness":
  • ignorance, emotional problems, emotional instability, dropping out of school
  • mental issues, depression, insomnia, foolishness
  • kidney problems, diarrhea, blood issues,
  • obstacles or dangers in sea voyages
  • reputation damage;
  • exacerbation of sexual desire
• Associated individuals: middle-aged man, the middle son
• Businesses: transportation, logistics, tourism, journalism, fishing, ports, massage, and swimming centers, pools
• As a front star: benefits for prosperity
• As a back star: quality relationships and effective collaborations
• If affected: inhabitants may become foolish or depressed • In periods 2 and 3, it is negative. When negative, it becomes the "darkness star."

6 White - Associated trigram ☰ Qian

• General attribute: positive star
• Corresponding element: Metal
• Planet: Venus, representing beauty, creativity, and relationships.
• Shape: dome-shaped with no sharp peaks
• Positive attributes: authority, power, influence, nobility, respect, communication, career success (the 6-1 combination is the most powerful combination indicating advancement or great success in the workplace)
• Negative attributes: loneliness, selfishness, dogma, family rifts, loss of reputation, layoffs, diminished feelings towards a specific person; migraines or head injuries, violent death
• Associated individuals: father, leader
• Businesses: any involving high-level management
• As a front star: benefits for career, brings authority, power, leadership, and the ability to lead (ideal for a manager to have this star in their office)
• As a back star: bring authority, power, charisma, and ability to coordinate large groups of people/respect, and you gain respect. In the bedroom = longevity.
• Miscellaneous:
  • Not utilizing its energy = being overlooked.
  • Star 6 can completely nullify the effects of star 2; so combination 6-2 = the effect is nullified