Shao Yong's Legacy - History and Philosophy of Mei Hua Yi

The Plum Blossom (Mei Hua Yi) method of I Ching divination stands as a unique and enduring testament to the genius of its primary architect, Shao Yong (邵雍, AD 1011–1077). To fully appreciate this school of divination, it’s essential to understand its historical context, the philosophical contributions of its founder, and the distinctive blend of intellectual rigor and intuitive insight that defines its approach.

Shao Yong: The Scholar-Sage of the Song Dynasty

Shao Yong was a towering intellectual figure of the Northern Song period, a time of great philosophical and cultural flourishing in China. He was not only a respected Confucian scholar but also a historian, poet, and, most relevant to our study, a profound master of Yi Xue (I Ching studies).

• A Life Dedicated to Understanding Cosmic Order: Shao Yong’s life work was characterized by a deep inquiry into the underlying principles (理 li) and numerical patterns (數 shu) that govern the cosmos and human existence. He sought to understand the intricate order of the universe, from the grandest celestial cycles to the subtle changes in everyday life.

• The “Plum Flowering Mind”: His development of the Mei Hua Yi methods stemmed from this deep understanding. The “Plum Flowering Mind” represents a state of heightened perception and intuitive connection, allowing the diviner to discern the significance in seemingly ordinary events and translate them into the language of the I Ching through numerological and symbolic understanding.

• Integration of Prediction and Cultivation: A remarkable aspect of Shao Yong’s legacy is the seamless integration of predictive acuity with profound moral and spiritual self-cultivation. While his ability to make accurate predictions using the I Ching was widely acknowledged and appeared almost shamanistic to some, this was always grounded in a deep ethical framework and a desire to live in harmony with the Tao. He saw the I Ching not just as a tool for foreknowledge but as a guide for virtuous living.

Historical Context and Influences

The Plum Blossom methods did not arise in a vacuum but were part of a rich intellectual tradition.

• Popularization During the Song Dynasty: The Song dynasty was a period of intense interest in numerology, cosmology, and new interpretations of classical texts. Shao Yong’s innovative approaches to I Ching divination found fertile ground and were popularized during this era.

• Inspiration from Han Dynasty Yi Xue: The Plum Blossom school was inspired by, and in some ways endeavored to reconstruct or build upon, earlier mathematics-oriented divination methods from the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220). The Han Yi (a collection of texts and commentaries from this period) had already explored numerological and symbolic correspondences within the I Ching, and Shao Yong’s work can be seen as a sophisticated development of these earlier threads.

• Emphasis on Xiangshu (Image and Number): Shao Yong’s work is a prime example of the Xiangshu (象數) school of I Ching interpretation, which focuses on the images (trigrams, hexagrams) and numbers associated with the text, as opposed to the Yili (義理) school, which emphasizes moral and philosophical principles. However, Shao Yong masterfully bridged both, using numerical insights to illuminate philosophical truths.

Core Philosophical Tenets of Mei Hua Yi

The Plum Blossom method is underpinned by several key philosophical ideas:

• The Universe as an Interconnected Whole: Mei Hua Yi operates on the principle that everything in the universe is interconnected and resonates with everything else. An event occurring in one part of the cosmos (or the immediate environment) can reflect broader patterns and offer insights into a specific query.

• Time as Qualitative and Cyclical: Time is not just a linear measure but a dynamic, qualitative force. Each moment has a unique energetic signature, and understanding this signature through calendrical numerology is key to the horary aspects of Plum Blossom.

• Innate Knowledge and the Heart-Mind (心 Xin): A central belief is that true wisdom and an understanding of cosmic patterns are not solely acquired externally but are inherent within the human “heart-mind.” The various Plum Blossom techniques—observation, calculation, intuition—serve as methods to awaken and access this innate knowledge.

• Numbers as a Universal Language: Numbers are seen as a fundamental language of the cosmos, capable of describing the patterns of change and transformation. By translating observations and temporal data into numbers, the diviner can tap into this universal code.

Shao Yong’s Enduring Legacy

Shao Yong’s contributions to I Ching studies, particularly through the Plum Blossom methods, have left an indelible mark. He demonstrated that divination could be approached through meticulous observation, sophisticated calculation, and profound intuitive insight. His work expanded the possibilities of how one could engage with the Book of Changes, showing that its wisdom could be accessed not only through the traditional chance operations of yarrow stalks or coins but also through a deep, perceptive engagement with the world and the patterns of time.

The Plum Blossom (Mei Hua Yi) method remains a testament to the idea that the I Ching is a living oracle, its wisdom accessible to those who cultivate a keen mind, an open heart, and a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all things.

This concludes our 11-article workshop on the Plum Blossom (Mei Hua Yi) I Ching method. We hope this journey has provided you with a solid foundation for understanding and perhaps beginning to explore this unique and insightful school of divination.