The Language of Numbers - Numerology in Plum Blossom Divination

Central to the Plum Blossom (Mei Hua Yi) method of I Ching divination is a profound reliance on numerology and mathematics. Unlike methods that primarily use chance operations to generate hexagrams, Shao Yong’s system delves into the numerical implications of cycles, observations, and timing to reveal the underlying patterns of the Tao. This approach sees numbers not just as quantities, but as qualitative symbols rich in meaning and correspondence.

The Primacy of Numbers in Mei Hua Yi

Shao Yong’s genius lay in his ability to synthesize and systematize existing numerological principles associated with the I Ching, making them core to his divinatory method. The Plum Blossom school operates on the understanding that:

• Numbers Reveal Cyclical Patterns: The universe, according to Taoist philosophy, operates in cycles – from the grand cycles of cosmic ages to the smaller rhythms of seasons, days, and even moments. These cycles, while not always perceivable by our ordinary physical senses, can be understood and calculated through numbers. Numbers become a language to describe the ebb and flow of qi (vital energy) and the transformations inherent in the Tao.

• Numerological Associations of Trigrams: The Eight Trigrams (Ba Gua / 八卦) – the fundamental building blocks of hexagrams – each have established numerical associations. While these associations predate Shao Yong, his Plum Blossom methods brought them into a more cohesive and applicable system for divination. These numbers are key to converting observations or calculations into specific trigrams.

• Calculation by the “Heart-Mind”: The Plum Blossom method emphasizes the role of the “heart-mind” (心 xin) – a concept in Chinese philosophy that integrates intellect, intuition, and feeling. It is through the focused and perceptive heart-mind that the diviner can calculate and interpret the numerical significance of events or times, thereby accessing insights into the prevailing cosmic patterns.

Key Numerological Principles Used

While the specific application of numbers will be detailed in subsequent articles covering different Plum Blossom techniques, some general principles include:

• Trigram Numbers: Each of the Eight Trigrams is assigned a number, typically based on its position in the Early Heaven (Fuxi) arrangement or other traditional sequences. For example, in one common system for the Early Heaven Ba Gua:

  • ☰ Qian (Heaven) = 1
  • ☱ Dui (Lake) = 2
  • ☲ Li (Fire) = 3
  • ☳ Zhen (Thunder) = 4
  • ☴ Xun (Wind) = 5
  • ☵ Kan (Water) = 6
  • ☶ Gen (Mountain) = 7
  • ☷ Kun (Earth) = 8

  These numbers are fundamental for converting calculations into trigrams.

• Divisions and Remainders: Many Plum Blossom techniques involve dividing numbers (derived from dates, times, observations, or arbitrary choices) by key constants (like 8 for the number of trigrams, or 6 for the number of lines in a hexagram). The remainders of these divisions are then used to determine specific trigrams or changing lines. This mathematical process is seen as a way of distilling the essence of a situation into its core symbolic components.

• Temporal Numerology: As we will explore in the next article, numbers derived from dates and times (using the lunisolar calendar) are crucial. The year, month, day, and hour can all be converted into numerical values that contribute to the formation of a hexagram.

Beyond Mere Counting: Qualitative Significance

It’s important to understand that in the Plum Blossom context, numbers are more than abstract counters. They carry qualitative weight and symbolic resonance. The number associated with a trigram, for instance, is not just an identifier but also reflects the inherent qualities and energetic signature of that trigram.

Shao Yong’s focus on mathematics and numerology provided a framework for understanding the I Ching that was both intellectually rigorous and intuitively profound. By learning to “read” the language of numbers as it manifests in the world around us and within specific moments in time, the Plum Blossom practitioner aims to perceive the subtle order underlying apparent randomness, and thereby gain insight into the unfolding of destiny.

In our next article, we will delve into a critical component of Plum Blossom numerology: “Article 3: Time and Cosmos - The Lunisolar Calendar in Mei Hua Yi.”