The Chinese Lo Shu Grid, also known as the Magic Square, is a grid of nine squares, each containing a number from 1 to 9. The Lo Shu Grid is an important tool in Chinese divination and is believed to hold significant symbolic and mystical meaning.
It is significant due to its ancient mysticism, as a 3x3 magic square where the sum of each row, column, and diagonal equals 15, symbolizing cosmic order and influencing various aspects of Chinese philosophy, divination, and cosmology.
According to legend, the Lo Shu Grid was discovered by a mythical turtle emerging from the Yellow River. The turtle's back had a grid of nine squares with numbers inscribed on them, and these numbers formed a pattern that became the basis for the Lo Shu Grid.
Each number on the Lo Shu Grid is associated with one of the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth, and metal) and one of the eight trigrams (symbols representing various natural phenomena). The center square, which contains the number 5, is considered to be the most important and represents the balance and harmony of the universe.
Here is a breakdown of the associations between the numbers on the Lo Shu Grid and the five elements and eight trigrams:
Number 1: Associated with the water element and the Kan trigram, which represents water and the north. This number is related to career and planning.
Number 2: Associated with the earth element and the Kun trigram, which represents the earth and the southwest. This number is related to marriage, happiness and initiative.
Number 3: Associated with the wood element and the Zhen trigram, which represents thunder and the east. This number is related to health and education.
Number 4: Associated with the wood element and the Xun trigram, which represents wind and the southeast. This number is related to wealth and prosperity.
Number 5: Associated with the earth element and the center, representing balance and harmony. This number is related to strength, stability and communication.
Number 6: Associated with the metal element and the Dui trigram, which represents joy and the west. This number is related to material success, relations and luxury.
Number 7: Associated with the metal element and the Qian trigram, which represents heaven and the northwest. This number is related to mental peace, creativity and children.
Number 8: Associated with the earth element and the Gen trigram, which represents mountain and the northeast. This number is related to prosperity and memory.
Number 9: Associated with the fire element and the Li trigram, which represents fire and the south. This number is related to name, fame, energy and recognition.
The Lo Shu Grid is used in various forms of Chinese divination, including feng shui and numerology. It is believed to hold symbolic and mystical meaning related to the balance and harmony of the universe, as well as the five elements and eight trigrams.
The Lo Shu Grid is an important tool in Chinese divination and represents an ancient and complex system of symbolism and meaning. It is a fascinating aspect of Chinese culture and philosophy, offering insights into the principles of harmony, balance, and order that underpin traditional Chinese thought.