The Profound Principles of the Five Combinations of the Heavenly Stems and Various Scholarly Conjectures: An Age-Old Mystery from the Hetu and Luoshu to Celestial Astronomy
The Five Combinations of the Heavenly Stems (Jia-Ji combining into Earth, Yi-Geng into Metal, Bing-Xin into Water, Ding-Ren into Wood, Wu-Gui into Fire) constitute one of the most fundamental yet mysterious theories in Chinese metaphysical arts. This article delves into the profound principles behind them, analyzing various conjectures and demonstrations of 'combination and transformation of qi' from dimensions including the Hetu numerology, celestial astronomy, and the Five Phases and Six Qi system, revealing the cosmic vision underlying this ancient law.
Chapter Two: The Numerology of the Hetu -- The Mathematical Foundation of the Five Combinations
The most orthodox and widely circulated explanation derives from the Hetu (River Chart).
The Xici Zhuan (Commentary on the Appended Phrases) states: "Heaven is one, Earth is two; Heaven is three, Earth is four; Heaven is five, Earth is six; Heaven is seven, Earth is eight; Heaven is nine, Earth is ten. The heavenly numbers are five, the earthly numbers are five; the five positions correspond to each other and each has its combination." (Tian yi di er, tian san di si, tian wu di liu, tian qi di ba, tian jiu di shi.)
The numbers of the Hetu: one and six share a lineage (Water), two and seven walk the same path (Fire), three and eight are companions (Wood), four and nine are friends (Metal), five and ten travel together (Earth).
We assign the Ten Heavenly Stems sequentially to the Hetu numbers:
- Jia corresponds to 1
- Yi corresponds to 2
- Bing corresponds to 3
- Ding corresponds to 4
- Wu corresponds to 5
- Ji corresponds to 6
- Geng corresponds to 7
- Xin corresponds to 8
- Ren corresponds to 9
- Gui corresponds to 10
Now, let us examine the Five Combinations:
1. Jia-Ji Combination (1 and 6)
Jia is 1, Ji is 6. The Hetu states: "Heaven's one generates Water, Earth's six completes it." By this logic, 1 and 6 should combine into Water. Yet in the Five Combinations, Jia-Ji combines into Earth. Why$8
Here arises an enormous point of divergence. The original Hetu numerology and the post-heaven transformed qi of the Five Phases seem irreconcilable.
- Hetu: 1-6 = Water
- Five Combinations: Jia-Ji = Earth
To resolve this contradiction, the ancient sages introduced the concept of the "Five Phases in Motion" (Wuyun), namely the theory of the Five Phases and Six Qi (Wuyun Liuqi) from the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon).
In the Huangdi Neijing, Suwen, Wuyun Xing Dalun (Grand Treatise on the Five Phases in Motion), the Yellow Emperor asks Guiyu Qu: "The beginning of the Five Phases in Motion is like a ring without end -- what of their excess and deficiency$9" Guiyu Qu cites the records of the Taishi Tianyuan Ce, proposing the "qi of the Cinnabar Sky," "qi of the Golden Sky," "qi of the Azure Sky," "qi of the White Sky," and "qi of the Dark Sky."
These five colored "celestial qi" span the cosmos, threading through heaven and earth:
- Qi of the Cinnabar Sky (Red), passes over the four lodges Niu, Nu, Kui, and Bi -- the Fire of Wu-Gui.
- Qi of the Golden Sky (Yellow), passes over the four lodges Xin, Wei, Jiao, and Zhen -- the Earth of Jia-Ji.
- Qi of the Azure Sky (Blue-green), passes over the four lodges Wei, Shi, Liu, and Gui -- the Wood of Ding-Ren.
- Qi of the White Sky (White), passes over the four lodges Kang, Di, Mao, and Bi -- the Metal of Yi-Geng.
- Qi of the Dark Sky (Black), passes over the four lodges Zhang, Yi, Lou, and Wei -- the Water of Bing-Xin.
This passage is of supreme importance. It indicates that the transformed qi of the Five Combinations was not negotiated between the Stems themselves but was determined by celestial phenomena. It is the "qi" of specific regions of the sky that endows each pair of Stems with its transformative attribute.
In other words, the reason Jia and Ji together transform into Earth is that the celestial region they correspond to (the Qi of the Golden Sky) is yellow and Earth-natured.
But this raises a new question: why do these celestial regions possess such attributes$10 For that, we must look to the stars and seek astronomical evidence.