Page 415 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 408
Zhu-ge Liang

Zhu-ge Liang (AD 181–234) was China’s greatest strategist. He it was who helped Liu
Bei to found a dynasty in the state of Shu in Western China (present-day Sichuan). As
Liu Bei’s faithful adviser he belongs to the heroic figures of the time who have never lost
their popularity, either in literature or in popular tradition. His story is told in the famous
novel San-guo zhi yan-yi – ‘The Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms’. Liu Bei was looking
around for a capable adviser and his attention was drawn to Zhu-ge Liang. A scene which
was to be repeated in temples over and over again, shows Zhu-ge at the window of his
house, which is surrounded by a garden and high walls. Liu arrives with two of his
friends to visit him. Twice Zhu-ge pretends not to be at home; and it is only at Liu’s third
attempt that he is finally admitted to Zhu-ge’s presence. The wily strategist wanted to see
just how keen to get him Liu Bei really was.

Zodiac
Zodiac

huang-dao

‘The Chinese year has a cycle of twelve signs, to which the daily cycle of twelve
two-hour periods corresponds. Each sign – and, accordingly, each two-hour period – is

associated with a zodiacal sign. Thus, midnight and the beginning of the annual cycle are
associated with the rat, which is followed in turn by the ox, the tiger, the hare, the
dragon, the snake, the horse, the