Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 2

[Diagram of the Nine Palaces, Eight Gates, Stars, and Constellations]

This diagram illustrates the correspondence between the Eight Trigrams (the fundamental symbols of Chinese cosmology), the Eight Gates of opportunity, the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper, and the Twenty-four Mountains or directional points used in geomancy and military positioning.

The Center

Essence and Spirit
Central Palace
Child: Celestial Bird Star original: Tianqin; the central star that governs the transformation of the other eight.
Lord of the Constellations

Radiating Text for the Eight Directions (Clockwise from the top)

South (Position of the Li Trigram)
The Fire Gate of Li
Child: Celestial Hero Star original: Tianying; associated with brilliance, fire, and decisive action.
Constellation of the Ninth Palace

Southwest (Position of the Kun Trigram)
The Heaven Gate of Kun
Child: Celestial Grain Star original: Tianrui; often associated with Earth, sickness, or hidden potential.
Constellation of the Second Palace

West (Position of the Dui Trigram)
The Moon Gate of Dui
Child: Celestial Pillar Star original: Tianzhu; associated with autumn, metal, and standing firm.
Constellation of the Seventh Palace

Northwest (Position of the Qian Trigram)
The Heaven Gate of Qian
Child: Celestial Heart Star original: Tianxin; associated with the "Heart of Heaven," leadership, and medicine.
Constellation of the Sixth Palace

North (Position of the Kan Trigram)
The Water Gate of Kan
Child: Celestial Destroyer Star original: Tianpeng; a powerful but often dangerous star associated with deep water and thieves.
Constellation of the First Palace

Northeast (Position of the Gen Trigram)
The Earth Gate of Gen
Child: Celestial Assistant Star original: Tianren; associated with stability and the gathering of resources.
Constellation of the Eighth Palace

East (Position of the Zhen Trigram)
The Sun Gate of Zhen
Child: Celestial Impulse Star original: Tianchong; associated with the movement of thunder and swift military maneuvers.
Constellation of the Third Palace

Southeast (Position of the Xun Trigram)
The Wind Gate of Xun
Child: Celestial Aide Star original: Tianfu; associated with gentle wind, education, and cultural growth.
Constellation of the Fourth Palace

Inner Ring Orientations (The Twenty-four Mountains)

The inner ring marks the Twenty-four Mountains, a system combining the Celestial Stems, Earthly Branches, and Four Trigrams to create a highly precise 360-degree compass. Arranged clockwise as follows:

• South: Bing (Stem), Wu (Branch: Horse), Ding (Stem)
• Southwest: Wei (Branch: Goat), Kun (Trigram), Shen (Branch: Monkey)
• West: Geng (Stem), You (Branch: Rooster), Xin (Stem)
• Northwest: Xu (Branch: Dog), Qian (Trigram), Hai (Branch: Pig)
• North: Ren (Stem), Zi (Branch: Rat), Gui (Stem)
• Northeast: Chou (Branch: Ox), Gen (Trigram), Yin (Branch: Tiger)
• East: Jia (Stem), Mao (Branch: Rabbit), Yi (Stem)
• Southeast: Chen (Branch: Dragon), Xun (Trigram), Si (Branch: Snake)