Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume 9 on Human Affairs

Page 9

In the Scroll of the River Luo original: "Luoshu" (洛書), the number five resides in the Central Palace to govern the Five Tones; this constitutes the "Song of Humanity." The four cardinal directions—Kan (North), Li (South), Zhen (East), and Dui (West)—along with the four corners—Qian (Northwest), Kun (Southwest), Gen (Northeast), and Xun (Southeast)—broadcast the Eight Sounds The traditional classification of musical instruments based on material: metal, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, clay, hide, and wood. and set the Eight Winds in motion.

As Water associated with the North/Kan moistens and Wood associated with the East/Zhen rises, the Yang (active/light) principle manifests through benevolence; therefore, these elements remain in their constant, natural positions. However, as Fire melts and Metal is molded, the Yin (passive/dark) principle is hidden within its practical application; therefore, they exchange their positions in the diagram.

Thus it is said: "The River Map original: "Hetu" (河圖) and the Scroll of the River Luo are the surface and the lining of one another; the Eight Trigrams and the Nine Chapters are the warp and the woof of the universe."

This is precisely what the Classic of Changes original: "Yi" (易), referring to the I Ching means when it says:

• "The Emperor Referring to the creative principle of nature or the Sun. comes forth in the Stirring (Zhen/East);
• He brings all things to harmony in the Mild (Xun/Southeast);
• They perceive one another in the Clarity (Li/South);
• They are put to service in the Receptive (Kun/Southwest);
• They rejoice in the Joyful (Dui/West);
• They contend in the Creative (Qian/Northwest);
• They toil in the Abysmal (Kan/North);
• And they reach completion in the Stillness (Gen/Northeast)."

The River Map represents the "Pre-Heaven" state original: "Xiantian" (先天); the primordial, abstract realm of energy., using Qi (vital breath) to give shape to sound. The Scroll of the River Luo represents the "Post-Heaven" state original: "Houtian" (後天); the physical, manifest world., using physical matter to complete the forms of objects.

The scholar Chen Yang A famous music theorist of the Song Dynasty, author of the "Book of Music" (Yueshu). claimed that:

• The Kan trigram corresponds to the sound of Hide;
• Gen to Gourd;
• Zhen to Bamboo;
• Xun to Silk;
• Kun to Clay;
• Dui to Metal;
• Qian to Stone.

However, this mapping loses the fundamental meaning of the phrase "The Emperor comes forth in the Stirring (Thunder)." Therefore, we now follow the interpretations found in the Comprehensive Discussions in the White Tiger Hall original: "Baihu Tong" (白虎通); a major Han Dynasty text that standardized Confucian cosmology and social etiquette..