Treatise on Armament Technology (1621) - Page 17


9th Month: Solitary is the Rooster; Void is the Rabbit	10th Month: Solitary is the Dog; Void is the Dragon
11th Month: Solitary is the Pig; Void is the Snake	12th Month: Solitary is the Rat; Void is the Horse

The "Solitary and Void" system (Gūxū) identifies directions of strength and weakness. By positioning oneself in the "Solitary" direction and facing the "Void," a commander was believed to possess a metaphysical advantage over the enemy.

Examples of Daily Solitary and Void


On a Rat Day: Solitary is the Pig; Void is the Snake	On an Ox Day: Solitary is the Rat; Void is the Horse
On a Tiger Day: Solitary is the Ox; Void is the Goat original: "木" (Wood); likely a transcription error for "未" (Goat), which follows the cycle's logic.	On a Rabbit Day: Solitary is the Tiger; Void is the Monkey
On a Dragon Day: Solitary is the Rabbit; Void is the Rooster	On a Snake Day: Solitary is the Dragon; Void is the Dog
On a Horse Day: Solitary is the Snake; Void is the Pig	On a Goat Day: Solitary is the Horse; Void is the Rat
On a Monkey Day: Solitary is the Goat; Void is the Ox	On a Rooster Day: Solitary is the Monkey; Void is the Tiger
On a Dog Day: Solitary is the Rooster; Void is the Rabbit	On a Pig Day: Solitary is the Dog; Void is the Dragon

This table lists the twelve days of the sexagenary cycle, named after the Earthly Branches. Each day has a specific animal correspondence that dictates where the "Solitary" and "Void" energies reside for that 24-hour period.