Treatise on Armament Technology (1621) - Page 16

Yearly Solitary and Void Correspondences (Continued)


In the Year of the Dragon: Solitary is the Rabbit; Void is the Rooster	In the Year of the Snake: Solitary is the Dragon; Void is the Dog	In the Year of the Horse: Solitary is the Snake; Void is the Pig	In the Year of the Goat: Solitary is the Horse; Void is the Rat
In the Year of the Monkey: Solitary is the Goat; Void is the Ox	In the Year of the Rooster: Solitary is the Monkey; Void is the Tiger	In the Year of the Dog: Solitary is the Rooster; Void is the Rabbit	In the Year of the Pig: Solitary is the Dog; Void is the Dragon

Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 120: Divining the Degrees of Battle; Taiyi Section, Part 2

Examples of Monthly Solitary and Void


1st Month: Solitary is the Ox; Void is the Goat	2nd Month: Solitary is the Tiger; Void is the Monkey	3rd Month: Solitary is the Rabbit; Void is the Rooster	4th Month: Solitary is the Dragon; Void is the Dog
5th Month: Solitary is the Snake; Void is the Pig	6th Month: Solitary is the Horse; Void is the Rat	7th Month: Solitary is the Goat; Void is the Ox	8th Month: Solitary is the Monkey; Void is the Tiger

The "Solitary" (Gu) and "Void" (Xu) positions are calculated based on the empty spaces in the sexagenary cycle—the sixty-day/year rotation of Chinese timekeeping. In the context of the Wubeizhi, a general would use these tables to ensure his army's back was to the "Solitary" direction and his front faced the "Void" direction to ensure spiritual protection and tactical advantage.