Page 84 - Chinese Porcelain Vol I, Galland

52 CHINESE PORCELAIN.
to the of the
points compass,
round it, according the south as
usual in China where we the north. This
being place drawing
was copied from a Chinese charm, and the arrangement is the
same as given by Sir A. W. Franks, only the base line in that
case is inside and in this to the outside.
No. 38. The Pa-kwa. The or said
eight diagrams symbols
to have been developed by Fuh-hi (2852-2738 B.C.), from
figures revealed to him on the back of a dragon-horse, which
rose out of the sea. " The entire lines
represent the male,
or celestial element in nature, and the broken the
strong,
female, weak, or terrestrial. By them the Chinese philosophers
'
attempted to explain all the secrets of nature and of being
(Franks, p. 241). They are arranged in different ways, one of
the oldest methods that to be in connection
being supposed
with the of the
eight principal points compass.
to Chinese works on the
Mayers, p. 334, referring subject.
"
says, In this work, which serves as basis for the philosophy
of divination and to as con-
geomancy, and is largely appealed
taining not alone the elements of all metaphysical knowledge
but also a clue to the secrets of nature and of being, the
eight diagrams upon which the entire system reposes, are
named as follows, accompanied by indications of their
alleged
relation to the elements or constituent of existence : —
parts
"
(1) Corresponding to heaven, the celestial expanse ; and
being entirely composed of whole lines to the unalloyed male
principle (see A).
"
(2) Corresponding to vapour, watery exhalations, lakes
(see B).
"
(3) Corresponding to fire and heat, light (see C).
" to thunder
(4) Corresponding (see D).
" to wind
(5) Corresponding (see E).
"
(6) Corresponding to water (see F).
"(7) Corresponding to mountains (see G).
" terrestrial matter
(8) Corresponding to earth, or ; and,
of broken lines, to the female
being wholly composed unalloyed
"
principle (see H).
The are reducible to four of two lines each
eight symbols
(Mayers, p. 309).
" the mental
(1) HZZZ Corresponds with the sun, heat,
the that which is first or that which
disposition, eyes, greatest,
is
imperial.