Chapter 11

The Flying Stars, Part 1

In This Chapter

It’s all in the stars: introducing the Flying Star system

The Hetu and Luoshu diagrams and what they mean to you

The Magic Square of Three

The significance of the number nine in cultures throughout the world

You’ve come this far. You’ve learned the three fundamental principles governing feng shui: yin and yang, the five phases, and the eight trigrams. You’ve learned about your ming gua—your innate character. You’ve learned how to evaluate the area surrounding your house, apartment, and office. You’ve learned how to properly situate your bed to gain a restful sleep. And you’ve learned how to situate your desk to inspire productivity.

Now you’re ready to learn Flying Star, a sophisticated technique that uses factors associated with both time and space to describe your dwelling’s qi. Yet, before you apply this method, you first must acquire some background knowledge. This will help you to better understand this complex, yet fascinating system of feng shui. This chapter’s all about learning the history behind the stars, or numbers, that govern your well-being.

What Is the Flying Star System?

Flying Star feng shui studies how time and space affect your health, wealth, and relationships with others. In fact, time and space are like two sides of a coin. One cannot exist without the other. For example, your body (your own personal space) changes over time. Everyone and everything moves through ceaseless cycles of birth, growth, decay, and death. The time your home was born and the time you were born are important considerations in a Flying Star analysis. The Chinese believe the first breath you take at birth determines your character and destiny. In the same way, when the foundation is set and the roof is affixed, your home is born. It, too, has a core personality. But remember, despite your inherent character, you still change! Therefore, an inherently good home will encounter times of misfortune. An inherently inauspicious home will encounters times of fortune. We all go through lucky and unlucky times!

Flying Star is a mathematical technique that uses the numbers 1 to 9. The magnetic orientation (space) of the dwelling and the time it was built yield a numeric qi map. The combination of numbers is interpreted. Favorable number combinations are enhanced (a 4-1 and a 9-8 combination brings romance and marriage, for example), and unfavorable number combinations are discouraged (a 7-5 brings financial loss and a 2-1 brings divorce, for example). Liken the process to an astrological reading of your home. Besides the time dimension of the stars, space also plays an important role in an analysis. Although you’ll learn to install one of the five phases of qi (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) to enhance or correct a specific number combination, you must also consider how the exterior environment, layout of the home, and furniture placement (among other things) influence the building’s destiny and character. The mechanics of Flying Star feng shui with become clearer with each succeeding chapter.

Wise Words

Flying Star is a sophisticated and complex system of analyzing how time and space affect a building. The magnetic orientation of the dwelling, along with the year the home was built, are important factors that determine the innate character of the house.

In Chinese, Flying Star is called Xuankong Feixing, which means “Time and Space Flying Stars.” Although there exists no textual evidence to support the system’s authorship, Flying Star was probably developed during the Tang dynasty (618–907 C.E.) and no later than the Song dynasty (960–1279 C.E.). Jiang Da Hong, an officer in the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 C.E.), is credited as being the first feng shui master on record to use Flying Star.

Ancient Beginnings

You might be wondering about the word “star” in Flying Star. Are the numbers 1 to 9 affiliated with nine celestial stars? Yes and no. The stars in question are the seven stars that form the Big Dipper (Beidou), plus the two adjacent stars at its handle. Like the principle of the five phases, it’s not the object (the stars) that is important but the movement and transformation of its associated qi.

The Flying Star system is based on mathematical patterns in nature, the macrocosmic world directly influencing us, the microcosmic world. As above, so below. These observations gave rise to two specific mathematical diagrams of the universe, as you are about to learn.

The Hetu River Map

The fifth century B.C.E. text called the Shangshu (Classic of History) tells how Fuxi, one of China’s legendary figures who is credited with inventing the bagua (the eight fundamental trigrams), among other things, received a gift from heaven. But, it was no ordinary gift, for it described an ideal world where all is in perfect harmony. According to legend, the gift appeared as a pattern of black and white dots on the flank of a mystical dragon-horse emerging from the Yellow River. Hence, the diagram is also known as the Hetu (also spelled Ho-t’u) or River Map. In the following diagram of the Hetu, the markings illustrate structure and balance, with the white dots representing yang, and the black dots representing yin. This scheme becomes clearer when numbers are applied to the dot patterns. For example, the 7 white dots found at the top of the diagram correspond to the number 7 in the numeric structure of the Hetu. The 2 black dots beneath the 7 white dots correspond to the numeric value of 2, and so forth. Disregarding the central 5 white dots and surrounding 10 black ones, you can see how the odd (yang) numbers are perfectly balanced by an opposing even (yin) number: 1 (yang) is opposite 2 (yin); 3 (yang) is opposite 4 (yin); 6 (yin) is opposite 7 (yang); and 8 (yin) is opposite 9 (yang).

Wise Words

The Hetu or River Map is a pattern of black (yin) and white (yang) dots purportedly found on a fantastic dragon-horse emerging from the Yellow River. The Hetu symbolizes the ideal world.

Upon closer examination (again, disregarding the central 5), notice how all of the odd (yang) numbers and even (yin) numbers add up to 20: 1 + 3 + 7 + 9 = 20; 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 = 20.

The Hetu River Map.

Does this diagram of an ideal, perfect, and sedentary world remind you of anything? Perhaps the Before Heaven sequence of trigrams that we discussed in Chapter 7? Although the Hetu diagram was correlated with the trigram sequence in the Song dynasty (960–1279 C.E.), there is much debate about whether this correlation is meaningful. In fact, some contemporary scholars believe there is no connection between the Hetu number sequence and the Before Heaven trigram sequence.

So, you might ask, what’s so special about the Hetu diagram? The answer is its link with the turtle’s offering, the Luoshu diagram.

The Luoshu Writing

A second gift was bestowed on Yu the Great, founder of China’s first dynasty Xia (c. 2100–1600 B.C.E.) This one was another pattern of black (yin) and white (yang) dots inscribed on a turtle’s shell, an arrangement that came to be known as the Luo River Writing. Simply called the Luoshu (also spelled Lo-shu), this diagram was correlated to the After Heaven sequence of trigrams (again see Chapter 7 for a reminder) conceivably as early as the Han dynasty (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.), some 2,000 years after its purported discovery by Yu. As a reminder, the After Heaven sequence of trigrams denotes motion, transformation, and interaction of natural and human qi forces. The Luoshu/After Heaven sequence is the antithesis of the motionless Hetu and Before Heaven sequence of trigrams.

Wise Words

Also known as the Luo River Writing, the Luoshu is a pattern of black (yin) and white (yang) dots said to be inscribed on a turtle’s shell. The Luoshu correlates to the After Heaven sequence of trigrams denoting motion, transformation, and interaction of natural and human qi.

We all know these diagrams couldn’t have really appeared on the backs of two animals. So what’s the real story? The fact is, the origins of the Hetu and Luoshu sequence of numbers are unknown. Although their antiquity is unquestioned, contemporary scholars can’t prove the Luoshu existed before the time of Confucius (551–479 B.C.E.). This is because the Luoshu is first mentioned in the Confucian Analects (sayings of Confucius compiled by his students). The origin of the Hetu diagram, on the other hand, is a bit more mysterious. It isn’t mentioned until the early Han dynasty, some 400 years after Confucius. And, the configuration of numbers it represents can’t be dated until the Song dynasty (960–1279 C.E.), some 1,000 years later. So, until new discoveries are made, or scholars put forth new evidence, we will never know the diagrams’ true inventor(s) or date of origin.

The Luo River Writing.

Despite the mysterious origins of the Hetu and Luoshu diagrams, we can surmise they were a product of astute observations by the ancients—that they recognized and recorded patterns made manifest in the celestial heavens, patterns that revealed the secrets of the universe. The legend of the miraculous appearance of the Hetu and Luoshu points to their power. The fact that the ancient Chinese had forgotten what they meant by the time scholars began to analyze the diagrams increases their mysterious nature. Nevertheless, because they are considered magical and because their meanings were elusive, they were thought to be divine in origin.

The Magic Square of Three

Just as the black (yin) and white (yang) dots of the Hetu correspond to a numeric value, so, too, do the Luoshu’s dots. Referring back to the illustration of the Luo River Writing, look at the top configuration of dots: A pattern of 4 black dots and 2 black dots is separated by a pattern of 9 white dots. Numerically, the dot values equal 4, 9, and 2, respectively—a factor that is illustrated in the following diagram of the Magic Square of Three. Before you continue, take a minute to consider how all the other dot patterns correspond to the numbers in the following illustration.

The Luoshu is also known as the Magic Square of Three. This is because 3 cells add up to 15 along any diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line:

Wise Words

The Magic Square of Three is considered magical because 3 cells along any diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line add up to 15. The Magic Square of Three represents the numeric value of the black (yin) and white (yang) dots of the Luoshu.

The Magic Square of Three.

The magic doesn’t stop here. Like the After Heaven trigram sequence, the Luoshu diagram moves, symbolizing a world in flux, in constant transformation. Although the diagram is square, it is also inherently cyclic. How so, you ask? First, connect the 2 pairs of odd (yang) numbers: 1 and 9 and 3 and 7. Next, draw a line through the 2 northern cells 6 and 1. In the same fashion, draw lines through the 2 eastern cells 8 and 3, the 2 southern cells 4 and 9, and the 2 western cells 2 and 7. The end result should look similar to the following illustration, a counterclockwise swastika—each arm connecting the 9 cells of the Magic Square.

The cyclic nature of the Magic Square of Three.

Notice how the odd (yang) numbers forming the cross and the 4 extending arms of even (yin) numbers add up to 10: 9 + 1 = 10, 3 + 7 = 10, 4 + 6 = 10, and 2 + 8 = 10. The sums differ by a factor of 5, the number of the central cell. Impressed? There’s more. Upon closer examination, you’ll notice that central number 5 is the factor that links the extending pairs:

1 (north) and 6 (northwest), or 1 + 5 = 6

3 (east) and 8 (northeast), or 3 + 5 = 8

4 (southeast) and 9 (south), or 4 + 5 = 9

2 (southwest) and 7 (west), or 2 + 5 = 7

Finally, you’ll notice these directional pairs are none other than the arms forming the Hetu cross! This connection suggests the Hetu is probably a byproduct of the Luoshu diagram.

You might be wondering why the swastika revolves counterclockwise. This is because the clockwise movement expresses passing time, whereas the counterclockwise movement expresses future time. Richard Wilhelm in his preface to the I Ching or Book of Changes (Princeton University Press, 1950) explains it this way: “The usual clockwise movement, cumulative and expanding as time goes on, determines the events that are passing; an opposite, backward movement, folding up and contracting as time goes, through which the seeds of the future take form. To know this movement is to know the future. In figurative terms, if we understand how a tree is contracted into a seed, we understand the future unfolding of the seed into a tree.”

Feng shui is concerned with predicting the probability of future events. Moreover, feng shui seeks to promote good events and dissuade bad events.

The Nine Imperial Palaces

The nine cells, or nine halls, of the Magic Square describe the layout of the Imperial Palace in China, what venerated scholar Joseph Needham in Science and Civilization in China (Cambridge University Press, 1956) calls “the mystical temple-dwelling which the emperor was supposed to frequent, carrying out the rites appropriate to the season.”

What does this mean exactly? Well, the emperor, the Son of Heaven, petitioned heaven (composed of a group of his illustrious forebears) on behalf of his people, rendering thanks and appreciation for fine weather, good health, and prosperity. It was also his duty to ask heaven to continue its benevolence. Specifically, requests were made for the upcoming year. Each rite would be carried out in the appropriate hall of the emperor’s palace. Each hall corresponded to the one of the twelve lunar months. Each lunar month lasted approximately 29¹⁄₂ days; each lunar year, 360 days.

But there are 9 cells and 12 months. How does this figure? Good question. Basically, it worked like this. The emperor would live in each of the central rooms (north, south, east, and west) for one month. Because the corner rooms corresponded to two directions (for example, southeast = south and east), the emperor would live in these rooms for two months. So, during the spring, he would presumably live in the northeast room for one month, the east room for one month, and the southeast room for one month. In the summer, he would spend one more month in the southeast room, followed by a month in the south room, and a month in the southwest room, and so forth. Thus, the emperor was able to complete a tour of the lunar calendar, cycling around each of the nine halls.

As if this wasn’t enough, the emperor also had to symbolically harmonize with each season’s distinct affiliations (color, animal, smell, sound, cereal, and so on). For example, in summer, the emperor donned red garments and feasted on peas and chicken. In autumn, he dressed in white and ate sesame and dog. In winter, he wore black and ate millet and pork. And, in spring, the emperor chose green clothing and ate mutton and wheat. Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it? Such were the duties and obligations of imperial privilege.

Here’s to the Nines

Before we move on to providing step-by-step instructions for performing a Flying Stars audit, let’s explore for a moment the significance of the number nine, the highest single-digit number. Interestingly, nine is revered globally, its symbology strikingly similar. It symbolizes completeness, the end of a cycle before returning to number one. To the Chinese, the number nine represents heaven and perfection. It is the supreme yang (male) number. But, that’s not all. Here are a few more examples of how the number nine has been incorporated into Chinese culture:

In early Chinese mythology, the number nine figures often: nine fields of heaven, nine terraces of the sacred mountain Kunlun, and nine songs of heaven.

The Book of Rituals, compiled in the later Han dynasty, speaks of nine ceremonies: puberty rite for men, wedding, audience, ambassadorship, burial, sacrifice, hospitality, drinking, and military.

The center of Peking (now Beijing) has eight roads leading to the collective ninth, the city.

The Forbidden City is said to have 9,999 rooms.

Nine dragons are incorporated into the emperor’s throne.

Nine mythical animals adorn palace and temple buildings.

Many pagodas have nine stories.

The number nine is significant in other cultures, too: In Egypt, nine, or the higher power of three, was very important to the religious and cosmological order. A group of nine gods was called a pesedjet, or ennead. Flip back a couple of pages to the illustration of the swastika formation inside the Magic Square. The cross connecting the odd numbers (1 and 9, 3 and 7), together with the “X” connecting the even numbers (4 and 6, 8 and 2), forms the 3000 B.C.E. Egyptian hieroglyph for “heaven.”

To the Hebrews, the ninth letter of their alphabet is Tet. Tet symbolizes completeness. At the next level, the Zadi (90) represents righteousness, and the completeness of the human spirit. The final Zadi (900) represents the outer world.

In Christianity, hell has nine gates (three of brass, three of iron, and three of adamantine). Furthermore, the hierarchy of hell is divided into nine sections. Also, there are nine choirs of angels in heaven. Christ died at the ninth hour.

To the Bahá’í, nine represents culmination, comprehensiveness. In the numerology connected with the Arabic alphabet, nine is the numeric value of the letters making up the name “Baha,” the revealer of the Bahá’í faith—considered by its followers to be the ninth existing independent religion.

Western numerologists believe if the total number of letters in your first name is nine, you are a person of great talent. You possess global consciousness.

In sorcery, a magic circle must be nine feet in diameter. Magical formulas generally must be repeated nine times. The human gestation period is nine months. Cats are said to have nine lives. We dress to the “nines.” Mathematicians check their calculations by “casting out nines.” There are nine judges on the Supreme Court, nine players on a baseball team. Shopkeepers will forever charge $9.99. Finally, who can forget the Beatles’ song, “Revolution 9”?

Feng Shui and Nine

In feng shui, the nine cells of the Luoshu are connected by the counterclockwise swastika. Also, the number nine enhances the number it’s combined with, as you shall soon see. What does this mean? If the number nine combines with an auspicious number (you’ll learn all about favorable and unfavorable numbers in Chapter 13), expect the possibility of promotion, financial gain, and happy events. However, if nine combines with an inauspicious number, beware! The threat of eye disease, fire, litigation, and insanity is likely.

In the next chapter, you’ll learn how to determine the sitting and facing sides of your dwelling. You’ll also create a to-scale floor plan that you’ll divide into eight equal wedges.

The Least You Need to Know

Flying Star is a system that calculates the qi pattern of a building according to the way the dwelling is oriented and the date of construction.

The Hetu diagram of black and white dots represents the ideal world.

The Luoshu diagram of black and white dots represents motion, transformation, and the interaction of qi.

The Chinese believe the Magic Square of Three is a divine gift. Each number along any diagonal, vertical, or horizontal line adds to 15.

The number nine is significant in many cultures around the world.