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 Five: Deep Analysis -- Why Does Bing-Xin Combine into Water$11
Among the Five Combinations, the most difficult to understand are often Bing-Xin combining into Water and Wu-Gui combining into Fire. Jia-Ji into Earth (Wood conquers Earth, transforms into Earth) and Yi-Geng into Metal (Metal conquers Wood, transforms into Metal) -- these appear to follow the pattern of "the stronger assimilates the weaker," or "the wife follows the husband." But Bing-Xin combining into Water:
- Bing is Yang Fire, the fire of the sun.
- Xin is Yin Metal, the metal of ornamental jewelry.
- Fire conquers Metal.
- Yet the result is Water$12
Fire and Metal -- how do they produce Water$13 Water conquers Fire, and it also drains Metal. This completely defies intuition.
Conjecture One: The Physical Phenomenon Theory Bing represents the blazing sun; Xin represents frost and snow (Xin-Metal pertains to autumn, to frost). When the blazing sun shines upon frost and snow, what does the frost and snow melt into$14 Water. This is an extraordinarily vivid explanation that accords with natural phenomena. Bing-Xin transforming into Water depicts the process of sunlight melting ice and snow.
Conjecture Two: The Chemical Reaction Theory (Alchemy) In Daoist alchemy, lead (Metal) and mercury (Water/Fire) are combined. Bing-Fire represents high temperature; Xin-Metal represents certain minerals or metals. Under high heat, some metallic minerals liquefy, or chemical reactions produce liquids. Alternatively, Xin-Metal represents the lungs (Metal generates Water), Bing-Fire represents the heart. When heart and lungs interact, qi and blood generate fluids (Water).
Conjecture Three: The Taiyin Damp Earth Theory In the Five Phases and Six Qi system, Bing-Xin governs the Water Phase. From an astronomical perspective, in Bing-Xin years, Water-qi dominates. This may relate to tidal force variations caused by planetary gravitational effects on Earth at that time, leading to an abundance of moisture on Earth.
Conjecture Four: The Numerical Compulsion of the Five Tiger Calculation As previously noted, Bing-Xin years begin from Geng-Yin, reaching the third month as Ren-Chen. Chen is the Storehouse of Water; Ren is Great Water. The transformed qi of the Heavenly Stems must obey the "seasonal mandate" of the Earthly Branches. When Bing and Xin combine, the energy field they generate, at the Chen month (the critical point of transformation), happens to fall upon the frequency of "Ren-Water." This suggests: Combination is the cause, transformation is the effect, and the Earthly Branches (the spatiotemporal environment) are the catalyst. Without the right environment (Earthly Branches), Bing-Xin merely combine without transforming -- they simply entangle each other. With the right environment (Chen and the Water Bureau), they undergo qualitative change into Water.