The Original Qi of the Five Elements

If the sun appears purple and lacks luster, common banditsoriginal: 草寇 (cǎokòu). Literally "grass bandits," referring to localized insurgents or outlaws rising from the countryside. and soldiers will arise; or, foreign tribes will invade the interior.

If the sun appears greenish-red and lacks luster, or has black edges, or appears the color of charcoal:

• If this occurs in the second month, the tribes of the four directionsoriginal: 四夷 (Sìyí). A traditional term for the ethnic groups surrounding the central Chinese civilization. will come to invade.
• In the fifth month, the southern tribes will cause disorder.
• In the eighth month, there will be those who plot to assassinate the ruler.
• In the tenth month, the sovereignoriginal: 人主 (rénzhǔ). Literally the "Lord of Men." will lose the state.

Snakes will travel upon the roads of men. Within ninety days after the eleventh month, the heavens will rain ochre dustoriginal: 赭塵 (zhěchén). This likely describes severe loess sandstorms common in northern China, which were viewed as celestial punishments or warnings.. In the eleventh month of the following year, the Pole Arroworiginal: 杠矢 (Gàngshǐ). An astronomical omen, possibly a meteor or a specific type of comet, traditionally associated with the onset of war. will appear, and war will break out across the world. In the twelfth month, the tribes of the four directions will invade; the fulfillment of this omen occurs within ninety days.

If the sun lacks luster, a king will die. It is also said: if there are no clouds yet the sunlight is not visible, and this lasts for three days, there will be a period of great mourning, or a state will be destroyed; alternatively, groups of bandits will arise.

If the sun is dim and lacks luster, and the clouds in the sky are entirely red: within thirty days there will be war and the ruler will perish; within fifty days, the military—

Vocabulary Reference

• Foreign tribes (original: 夷狄)
• Tribes of the four directions (original: 四夷)
• Pole Arrow (original: 杠矢)
• The Sovereign (original: 人主)
• Destroyed State (original: 滅國)
• Sky rains ochre dust (original: 天雨赭塵)
• Common bandits (original: 草寇)