The Theoretical Foundation of Chinese Feng Shui: HeTu, Luo Shu, Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven Ba Gua
Pre-Heaven Bagua：The Pre-Heaven Bagua as an Abstract Model of the Milky Way’s Spatial Structure
The Pre-Heaven Bagua (also known as the Fuxi Bagua) holds a significant place in Chinese culture. It evolved from the He Tu (River Map) and represents the primordial state of the universe. Unlike the He Tu, which does not define specific directions, the Pre-Heaven Bagua symbolizes the fusion of the two complementary forces of Yin and Yang, reflecting the static balance of cosmic energy. To apply this concept in practical terms, one must understand the origin of the “Pre-Heaven” energy and its alignment within the spatial framework of the universe.
The legendary sage Fuxi, by observing celestial phenomena, the landscape, and human activities, deduced the laws governing the movement of all things in the universe. He then created the Pre-Heaven Bagua. The Pre-Heaven Bagua serves as a structured expression of the energies represented by the He Tu and follows its numerical principles. It embodies the philosophy of the unity between Heaven and Earth: using the trigram Qian (☰) to represent Heaven in the southern direction, and Kun (☷) to represent Earth in the northern direction, showing the dual and interconnected relationship of Yin and Yang energies.
The principles of the Pre-Heaven Bagua have many practical applications in Feng Shui layout and the adjustment of energy fields in human destiny. Below is a simple introduction to its foundational structure:
The Basic Structure of the Pre-Heaven Bagua
The Pre-Heaven Bagua is made up of Yin (⚋) and Yang (⚊) lines. Through different combinations of these lines, eight basic trigrams are formed:
Qian (☰)
Kun (☷)
Zhen (☳)
Xun (☴)
Kan (☵)
Li (☲)
Gen (☶)
Dui (☱)
Spatial Orientation
The arrangement of the Pre-Heaven Bagua follows a pattern of symmetrical balance. The four primary trigrams (Qian, Kun, Li, Kan) are positioned opposite the four corner trigrams (Zhen, Xun, Gen, Dui), which represent the four cardinal directions:
Qian and Kun represent South and North respectively.
The corner trigrams correspond to the four intercardinal directions: Zhen (Northeast), Xun (Southwest), Gen (Northwest), and Dui (Southeast).
This structure symbolizes the universe’s most original balanced state.
Core Philosophy
Taiji Generates the Two Forces (Yin and Yang): The universe initially existed in a state of chaos, referred to as Taiji (the Supreme Ultimate). From Taiji, Yin and Yang emerged as the Two Forces or Liang Yi (Yang as Qian, Yin as Kun).
The Two Forces Generate the Four Images: The Yin and Yang further divide into the Four Images (or Xiang), which are associated with different aspects of cosmic energy:
Li (☲) represents the Sun (Yang),
Kan (☵) represents the Moon (Yin),
Zhen (☳) represents the Lesser Yang,
Xun (☴) represents the Lesser Yin.
The Four Images Generate the Eight Trigrams: These Four Images then evolve into the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), which symbolize various natural phenomena:
Heaven (Qian),
Earth (Kun),
Mountain (Gen),
Lake (Dui),
Thunder (Zhen),
Wind (Xun),
Water (Kan),
Fire (Li).
These trigrams represent the basic forms of nature in the universe and are considered the building blocks of the world around us.
The ancient sages of the Chinese nation left behind a series of mysterious numbers and a poetic verse related to the Pre-Heaven Bagua, awaiting future generations with higher wisdom to extract and apply for the benefit of humanity. The verse reads:
Qian 1, Dui 2, Li 3, Zhen 4, Xun 5, Kan 6, Gen 7, Kun 8;
Heaven and Earth establish their positions, the mountains and lakes communicate, thunder and wind support each other, water and fire do not interfere.
This verse and the associated numbers and trigrams are believed to carry deep cosmic wisdom, forming the foundation of the Pre-Heaven Bagua’s application in Feng Shui and cosmic energy regulation.