Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 73

From the cycles of Water—starting with the Bingwu The 43rd year of the sexagenary cycle—to the cycles of Wood—ending with Renzi and Renwu—the way these elements "marry" and align is much like the primary Jiazi and Jiawu combinations. In this system of opposites and continuous flow, where beginnings and endings follow a strict order, the divisions inevitably harmonize to form the Sixty Sounds original: "Liushi Yin" (六十音); a complex system expanding the standard pitches into a full cycle of 60 to match the calendar.

Generally, in the musical sequences of the Yang (active) principle, the JueThe third note of the traditional five-tone scale, often associated with Wood and Spring. and YuThe fifth note of the scale, associated with Water and Winter. tones are found in the preceding pitches. In the musical sequences of the Yin (passive) principle, the ShangThe second note of the scale, associated with Metal and Autumn. and ZhiThe fourth note of the scale, associated with Fire and Summer. tones are found in the following pitches.

It is necessary for the Jue and Yu tones to arise together first; only then do the Shang and the lower Zhi follow. Thus, the GongThe first and most fundamental note of the scale, representing the "Palace" or the center (Earth). tone always acts as the master of the Jue—though the Jue tone may depart, it must always return. Similarly, the Shang tone always acts as the master of the Zhi—though they may separate, they must eventually reunite.

Although the Gong tone governs the Jue, there must still exist a "Yu-aspect of Jue" and a "Jue-aspect of Yu" within it. Likewise, although Shang governs Zhi, these sub-tones of Jue and Yu are also present. When the sounds correspond, the Jue tone functions as the Zhi.

The hierarchy of instruments is governed as follows:

• The Qin and SeAncient silk-stringed zithers. zithers are led by the Jue and Yu tones, prioritizing the Gong tone.
• The "Yu-aspect of Jue" is expressed by the Bells, which prioritize the Yu tone.
• The "Jue-aspect of Yu" is expressed by the Stone Chimes, which prioritize the Jue tone.

Through the cycle of "transposing to the Gong tone," with one Gong, one Yu, and one Jue—and through fifteen beats of the drum—the transformations of the Five Tones are completed.

In the final month of Spring, the pitch corresponds to Old Purificationoriginal: "Guxi" (姑洗); the third of the twelve standard pitches.. At this time, the "Dragon" position The earthly branch "Chen" corresponds to the Jue tone. The sun resides in the "Great Bridge" constellation original: "Daliang" (大梁), while the "Rooster" position The earthly branch "You" corresponds to the Yu tone. In this moment, the vital energies of the Yu and Jue tones reach a state of perfect harmony.