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The I
Ching (pronounced E Ching - aka
"The Book of Changes") is
perhaps the most ancient known
of the classic Chinese texts
(these texts date from the
pre-Qin era - the Qin Dynasty
ruled during 221 to 207 BC) and
also one of the oldest texts
known from antiquity.
The I Ching describes an
ancient system of cosmology
along with a philosophy at the
very center of Chinese cultural
beliefs still firmly in use
today. The crux of this
philosophy deals with the
dynamics apparent between yin
and yang and also how both yin
and yang interact upon each
other in opposing yet
paradoxically complimentary
ways.
Yin represents the still, the
calm, the mellow whilst yang
represents the exact opposite
movement, frenetic activity and
stress!
At the core of the I Ching
are eight iconic depictions
known as Trigrams. Each trigram
is comprised of yin and yang
line elements. The origin of
these trigrams is attributed to
the figure "Fu Hsi" some 5
millenia ago.
More information on the
history of the trigrams and the
Lo Shu can be found here:
http://www.fengshuiastrology.com/LoShu.html
The I Ching uses two
trigrams, one placed upon the
other to form a Hexagram. The
different combinations of the
stacked trigrams give rise to
some 64 different I Ching
hexagrams - each of which when
used in combination can give
valuable insights to the answers
sought by divination
practitioners.
Many people look upon the I
Ching as purely a system of
divination whereas others see
it's contents as teachings -
full of the wisdom of the
Chinese ancients.
It's title throws up a
profound view of it's contents:
"I" when used as an adjective
means "simple or easy" but when
used as a verb means "to
change".
"Ching" means "classic text"
but the original meaning is one
of "persistence" or "regularity"
A popular translation of this
title is "Book of Changes" but
it is also known as "Classic of
Changes" - a title growing in
use of late.
The underlying message within
the I Ching recognised by many
is one of "the ultimate way" or
truth - no matter what time the
reader comes across the
contents, the information
contained within will still be
as fresh and applicable as the
day it was written.
If the information is
understood, applied and followed
- you can enjoy the easiest of
paths through life.
The I Ching is one of the
foundations of Feng Shui (or as
it was known in antiquity "Xiangdi"
- meaning the observation and
appraisal of the earth). Before
the Qin dynasty (approximately
475 to 221 BC), Feng Shui
Experts poured over the I Ching
in great depth and used it's
teachings to influence the
fundamentals of Feng Shui as we
know it today.
Along with the I Ching, Feng
Shui has it's roots firmly
steeped in the philosophies of
Taoism and Confusianism as well.
About the Author
Tracy O'Brien
is a long time student and
practitioner of the ancient art
of Feng Shui. She is also the
founder of FengShuiAstrology.com
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