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Feng shui practitioners of the Compass School frequently make extensive references to trigrams. This is because the meanings of the trigrams offer valuable clues as to how to proceed with arranging a space to maximize feng shui. They not only correspond to compass directions, they are also rich with symbolic meanings. As mentioned earlier they represent one of the elements – expressed either as a soft or a dark aspect – and they possess Yin or Yang connotations. They also signify a specific member of the family.

The meanings of the trigrams and their relationship to each other are significant in expanding the scope of feng shui practice. They offer clues as to what can be “activated” and how their symbolism can be interpreted in the physical realm to bring about auspicious outcomes.

The eight trigrams are Chien, the Creative; Kun, the Receptive; Chen, the Arousing; Sun, the Gentle; Tui, the Joyous; Ken, Keeping Still; Kan, the Abysmal; and Li, the Clinging.

THE TRIGRAM CHIEN, the Creative, comprises three unbroken lines. Its nature is YANG and it is associated with the FATHER, the head of the household, the patriarch, the male paternal. Chien also signifies HEAVEN, the sky, the celestial spheres, strength, activity, power, brightness, bright colors, energy, and perseverance. Chien doubled forms the hexagram of the I Ching whose power is to be interpreted in a dual sense i.e. in terms of the strong creative action of the Deity of the Universe and in terms of the creative action of rulers or leaders in the world of mankind. The element associated with Chien is big METAL, and its symbolic animal is the HORSE – denoting power, endurance, firmness, and strength. Additional symbols of the Creative include jade, which is itself the symbol of purity and firmness; round and circular objects; cold and ice. Its compass direction is South in the Early Heaven arrangement of the Pa Kua, and NORTHWEST in the Later Heaven arrangement. In Yang feng shui, the direction of Chien is also northwest, and its number is 6.

THE TRIGRAM KUN, the Receptive, is made up of three broken lines. The broken lines represent the dark, yielding, receptive, primal power of YIN. The attributes of this trigram are associated with the MOTHER, the female; maternal and devoted. Its image is the whole EARTH, which knows no partiality. The animal symbolizing Kun is the COW with a calf, thereby symbolizing fertility. Kun is the perfect complement of Chien, the Creative (complement and not opposite because the Receptive does not combat the Creative but rather completes it). Kun signifies NATURE, in contrast to spirit, earth in contrast to heaven, space against time, the female maternal as against the male paternal.

In the interpretations of Kun in respect of the destiny of mankind, and when applied to human affairs, the relationship between Chien and Kun refers not only to the man-woman relationship but also to that of the prince and minister, father and son, employer and employee.

According to the I Ching’s commentary, Kun the Receptive must be activated and led by Chien the Creative if it is to maximize its benevolent essence. The corresponding compass direction of Kun is north in the Early Heaven arrangement, but in Yang feng shui and the Later Heaven arrangement it is the SOUTHWEST which represents Kun. Its element is EARTH and its number is 2.

THE TRIGRAM CHEN, the Arousing, is made up of two broken Yin lines above an unbroken Yang line. The trigram represents the ELDEST SON and is often associated with movement and decision-making, vehemence and shock. It is symbolized by the DRAGON, which, rising out from the depths, soars magnificently up into the stormy skies. This is represented by a single strong line pushing upward below the two yielding lines. This trigram is represented by a dark yellow color, spreading outwards, which suggests the luxuriant growth of spring that covers the earth with a garment of plants. In the I Ching, the doubling of this trigram forms the hexagram Chen, which is described as “… shock, arousing fear, which in turn makes one cautious, and caution brings good fortune … a symbol of inner calm in the midst of the storm of outer movement.”

Chen also signifies thunder, “the kind which terrifies for miles around, a symbol of a mighty ruler who knows how to make himself respected yet is careful and exact in the smallest detail.” Chen is placed northeast in the Early Heaven arrangement and east in the Later Heaven sequence. In Yang feng shui we therefore use EAST as the direction that signifies Chen. Its element is big WOOD and its number is 3.

THE TRIGRAM SUN, the Gentle, is formed by two unbroken Yang lines above a broken Yin line. This trigram represents the ELDEST DAUGHTER and its attribute is summed up in the word “penetrating.” The gentle is small wood, it is the wind, it is indecision.

The COCKEREL, whose voice pierces the still morning air, symbolizes it. Among men, it means those with broad foreheads, those with much white in their eyes; it means those close to making gains, so that in the market they get threefold value. Sun is sometimes interpreted as a sign of vehemence. Sun also represents white and whiteness, which is sometimes regarded as the color of the Yin principle and sometimes as the Yang. Here Yin is in the lowest place at the beginning. Sun is placed southwest in the Early Heaven arrangement and southeast in the Later Heaven arrangement. So in Yang feng shui we use SOUTHEAST to represent Sun. Its element is small WOOD and its number is 4.

THE TRIGRAM TUI, the Joyous, comprises one broken Yin line above two unbroken Yang lines. The two Yang lines are considered the rulers of the trigram, although they are incapable of acting as governing rulers. Tui represents joy, happiness, and the YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. Tui is the LAKE, which rejoices and refreshes all living things. Furthermore Tui is the mouth; when human beings give joy to one another through their feelings, it is manifested by the mouth. A Yin line above two Yang lines illustrates how the two principles give joy to each other and are manifested outwardly. Tui also means dropping off and bursting open. It is the concubine, an association derived from the youngest daughter connections. It is the sheep, which is outwardly weak and inwardly stubborn, as suggested by the form of the trigram. In the Early Heaven arrangement, the trigram is placed southeast, but in the Later Heaven arrangement it is placed WEST, so this is the direction which is used to signify Tui in the application of formulas for Yang dwellings. Its element is small METAL and its number is 7.

THE TRIGRAM KEN, Keeping Still, comprises an unbroken Yang line above two broken Yin lines. Ken represents the YOUNGEST SON in the family. The trigram literally means standing stiff, a situation exemplified by the image of the mountain. Ken is the MOUNTAIN, a symbol of mysterious significance. Here, in the deep hidden stillness, the end of everything is joined to make a new beginning. Death and life, dying and resurrection – these are thoughts awakened by the transition from an old year to a new year. Ken thus signifies a time of solitude that is also the link between an ending and a beginning.

The element signified by Ken is small EARTH. Under the Early Heaven arrangement of the trigrams, it is placed in the northwest. Under the Later Heaven arrangement Ken is northeast, so in Yang feng shui Ken is represented by the NORHTEAST. Its element is small EARTH and its number is 8.

THE TRIGRAM KAN, the Abysmal, is made up of one unbroken Yang line sandwiched between two broken Yin lines. Kan represents the MIDDLE SON. It is symbolized by WINTER. Kan signifies pearls, craftiness, and hidden things. It is also considered as a symbol of danger and melancholia because one (strong) Yang line is hemmed in by two (weak) Yin lines. Kan is often referred to as the trigram which suggests toil. Unlike the other trigrams, Kan represents work. It is not a happy trigram.

The symbolic color of Kan is red to resemble the fluid of the body – blood. Kan was originally placed west in the Early Heaven arrangement, but was moved to the north under the Later Heaven arrangement. Thus in Yang-dwelling feng shui, Kan is signified by the direction NORTH. Its element is WATER and its number is 1.

THE TRIGRAM LI, the Clinging, is made up of one broken Yin line hemmed in by two strong Yang lines. Li is LIGHTNING, and represents the MIDDLE DAUGHTER. Li is also represented by the sun, brightness, heat, and dryness. The character of the trigram suggests something firm on the outside but hollow, weak, and yielding within. This trigram strongly implies dependence, but the kind of dependence which is positive and nourishing – as when the plant “clings” to the soil and grows or when “the sun and the moon attain their brightness by clinging to heaven.” The yielding element in Li is the central line, hence its image is of a strong yet docile type of cow.

Its element is FIRE and as fire flames upwards, the phrase “that which is bright rises” applies to Li. In the spiritual or divination sense, the brightness of this trigram offers the potential (if the illumination of the brightness stays consistent) for its light to “illuminate” the world. Li occupies the east in the Early Heaven arrangement, but under the Later Heaven arrangement it is in the south, which represents the summer sun that illuminates all earthly things. So in applying the formulas for Yang dwellings we use SOUTH as the direction of Li. Its number is 9.