Divining? the year, the hexagram is auspicious. On the seventh day of the seventh month, for every request in each month, for all hexagram use—

The Dragon-Horse Carrying the River Map

The circular diagram represents the 河圖 (He Tu), or "River Map," a mathematical grid of black and white circles. According to legend, this map was discovered on the back of a Longma (a mythical dragon-headed horse) that rose out of the Yellow River during the time of the sage-king Fuxi. It represents the "Earlier Heaven" or ideal order of the universe.

Seven: Heaven / Two: Earth — [Top]
Three: Heaven / Eight: Earth — [Left]
Four: Earth / Nine: Heaven — [Right]
One: Heaven / Six: Earth — [Bottom]
Heaven: Five / Earth: Ten — [Center]

In ancient Chinese numerology, odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) are associated with Heaven and "Yang" energy, while even numbers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) are associated with Earth and "Yin" energy.

Not the metal? of casting and minting. The author distinguishes between the physical element of metal/gold and the cosmic 'Metal' element of the Five Elements.

In the nurturing and growth of all things, the Five Elements cannot be without Earth.

The pouring of flowing? warmth?; if there were no Earth, there would be no unity?.

This text emphasizes the central role of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water). In this cosmology, Earth is the "mother" or the central pivot that allows the other four elements to interact and create life.