The Pa-Kua Symbol, on which all of the Pa-Kua knowledge is based, combines many element of Chinese philosophy.
Understanding some of these concepts helps in understanding what Pa-Kua teaches us
The following is an explanation of the Pa-Kua Symbol.
Click on any part of the Pa-Kua symbol to view details about it.
Yin
Yang
The concept of Yin Yang
is one of the fundamental concepts of Chinese philosophy.
It is a concept of relativity between two elements of a whole.
Nothing in this concept is absolute. Not only is something Yin in comparison
to something else
which is Yang, but everything Yin contains a little bit of Yang and vice versa.
Nothing in our life is totally Yin nor totally Yang, and even something Yin
in its majority is so only in
comparison to something else that is Yang; in comparison to something else
that is Yin it will be considered Yang.
This concept is also very subjective. Something Yin in one person's set of
values or judgment
might be Yang in someone else's.
The example that comes to mind is the business man that misses his flight,
and is about to loose the biggest deal of his life.
It is a terribly Yin moment for him. Nothing can be worse for him right there
and then.
While waiting for the next flight, he meets someone who helps him close a
massive deal.
What seemed to have been a Yin moment turned out to be a yang moment... Who
could have known that.
In our life we encounter
many such circumstances which can be deemed Yin or Yang
depending on the perspective from which we observe these events.
Being able to view both the Yin and Yang sides of things surrounding us helps
us lead a life of harmony.
A thorough understanding of the Yin Yang concept is essential to the study
of any Chinese knowledge.
The Eight Changes
Another fundamental concepts of Chinese philosophy is the theory of the Eight Changes.
The Eight Changes are the basis of the original Chinese knowledge. The I-Ching,
the most ancient book of Chinese knowledge, uses this concept as a starting point in to
its multiplication and formation of the 64 Hexagrams.
The study of the Eight Changes gives us an understanding of events and people
we encounter in our daily life. It helps us look in to our past, understand it, and therefore
helps us guide ourselves into the future.
The popular saying "those who forget their past are bound to repeat their mistakes in the future"
is a clear summary of how the knowledge of the Eight Changes helps us navigate our future.
Used as a system of classification of our ever-changing surroundings, the Eight Changes clarifies our
understanding of the universe and its influences on our daily lives.
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| HEAVEN |
EARTH
|
THUNDER
|
WOOD
|
WATER
|
FIRE
|
MOUNTAIN
|
LAKE
|
|
Strength,
Creativity, Pure Will |
Docility,
Receptive, Acceptance |
Movement,
Initiative, Action |
Penetration,
Following |
Danger,
Change |
Brightness,
Inter- connection |
Stillness,
Grounded, Balance |
Pleasure,
Joy, Attraction |
The Trigrams
The Trigrams are a series of combinations of three lines. Some of the lines are Yin (broken) lines and Yang (solid) lines.
The above eight combinations are all of the possible combinations (in threes) of two different lines..
There are many arrangements of the Trigrams. The one featured here is one that
puts emphasis on the family structure, an all important concept in Pa-Kua teachings.
The influences of the family play a major role in the shaping of an individuals behavior.
Sometimes, a study of the family illuminates many details of a person's characteristics and behavior,
thus shedding lights on his future.
In the Pa-Kua School an active involvement of the whole family in the studies is strongly encouraged.
The reason three lines are used for the formation of the Trigrams, as opposed to two lines or
perhaps even four, relates to another all important concept in Chinese philosophy.
This is the concept of SKY MAN EARTH. (See below for an explanation)
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| FATHER |
MOTHER
|
ELDEST SON
|
ELDEST DAUGHTER
|
SECOND SON
|
SECOND DAUGHTER
|
YOUNGEST SON
|
YOUNGEST DAUGHTER
|
SKY
- MAN - EARTH
This is another important
classification method which is featured in all aspects of Chinese philosophy.
Whether we are looking at distances in Pa-Kua Martial Art, considering differences
in relationships,
analyzing the different foods in our nutrition, or if we are studying the
different energies in healing arts
the concept of SKY MAN EARTH is omnipresent.
SKY is the furthest distance, it is safety, it is the energy coming from above,
it is the spiritual, the abstract.
EARTH is the closest distance, it is danger, it is the energy from below,
it is the material.
MAN is a combination of SKY and EARTH. It is also considered their neutralizer
as well
being subject to both of their influences. It is the middle ground.
Chinese philosophy believes that no relationship exists between two elements
without the
existence of a third element which neutralizes the two elements. The third
element does not only fall under
the influences of the two elements, but is also essential to the maintenance
of the relationship between the two elements.