Page 116 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

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years of age he becomes incapable of procreation.’ The changes in yang are
generated by the opposing power of yin; just as, vice versa, in the case of seven,
the power of the male eight has its effect on feminine development.

The eight Immortals wish us good luck

The eight ‘pillars of heaven’ of the ancient cosmology are connected with the eight
directions, the eight mountains and the eight gates through which the rain clouds and the
eight winds enter. In the ‘Book of Rites’ (Li-ji) these are described as follows:
‘Which are the eight winds? From the North-east comes the burning wind / From the East
comes the roaring wind / From the South-east comes the cheerful wind / from the South
comes the great storm / from the South-west comes the cool wind / from the West

comes the wind that lasts / from the North-west comes the sharp wind / from the North
comes the cold wind’ (tr. Richard Wilhelm).

Elements, The Five

wu-xing

The five elements as specified in Chinese thought bear very little resemblance to the
four elements of ancient Greek speculation or the elements recognised by the Iranians or
the Indians. Indeed, sinologists cannot agree on the best translation of the word xing; the
basic idea is one of ‘changing states of being’. The elements themselves with their