In the vast cosmos of I Ching studies, if Liu Yao (Six Lines) divination is precision logical reasoning (like Western astrology), then Meihua Yishu (Plum Blossom Numerology) is a flowing poem.
Many people searching for "Meihua Yishu" are drawn by its legendary origin story, or amazed by its ability to "know fortune without a sound." Unlike rituals requiring shaking turtle shells and coins, Meihua Yishu emphasizes "the moment the heart stirs, divine." A falling leaf, a bird's call, a point in time, even a character's stroke count — all can instantly transform into hexagrams, revealing the universe's operating trajectory.
This discipline, created by Song Dynasty I Ching master Shao Kangjie (Shao Yong), brought the I Ching from temple heights down to all things mundane. It's not just a predictive art — it's a philosophical lens for observing the world. In this article, we'll deeply analyze Meihua Yishu's core mechanisms — the distinction between Xiantian (Pre-Heaven) and Houtian (Post-Heaven) hexagrams, and the Ti-Yong (Body-Function) dynamics that govern fortune — bringing you into this captivating "Heart-Mind I Ching."
Shao Kangjie and Plum Blossoms: From "Observing Things" to "Knowing Fate" — A Legendary Origin
To understand Meihua Yishu, you must first understand Shao Yong.
Shao Yong, styled Kangjie, was one of the Five Northern Song Masters, a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar and mathematician. He lived in seclusion at the "Peaceful Joy Dwelling" in Luoyang, calling himself Master of Peaceful Joy. Unlike contemporaries obsessed with official careers, Shao Yong devoted his life to exploring the universe's mathematical logic, authoring "Huangji Jingshi" (Supreme World Ordering Principles).
Meihua Yishu's birth is itself a story about "observation." Legend has it that while admiring plum blossoms, Shao Yong saw two sparrows fighting over a branch and falling to the ground. Moved by this sight, he immediately cast a hexagram and predicted that a neighboring girl would injure her thigh while picking flowers. This divinely accurate prediction, made under the plum tree, gave the method its name: "Plum Blossom Numerology."
This story conveys a core concept: External Omen.
In Shao Yong's view, the universe is a vast hologram. The "small matter" of sparrows fighting and the "major event" of a girl's injury resonate on some dimension of space-time. Meihua Yishu's essence is capturing this "synchronicity," decoding hidden fate through hexagrams (images) and numerology (time/direction).
Xiantian and Houtian: Two Paths of Hexagram Casting Methods
Meihua Yishu's most fascinating aspect is its flexible variety of hexagram casting methods. In professional I Ching website classifications, we typically divide them into two major categories:
1. Xiantian Hexagram: Numbers Before Images Appear (Numbers to Images)
"Xiantian" (Pre-Heaven) means "first the numbers, then the hexagram." This is a hexagram casting method based on numbers and time.
Time-Based Hexagram Method: The most commonly used method. Add up year, month, day, and hour numbers, divide by eight (remainder becomes upper and lower trigrams), divide by six (remainder becomes moving line).
- Philosophical Meaning: Time is the universe's coordinate. When you form the intention to divine at this moment, this "point in time" already condenses your current fate information.
Number-Based Hexagram Method: Randomly state three numbers, or page numbers from opening a book — all can transform into hexagrams.
- Characteristic: Xiantian hexagrams don't look at external environment, purely relying on "numerical" logic. They are rational and abstract.
2. Houtian Hexagram: Images Before Numbers Appear (Images to Numbers)
"Houtian" (Post-Heaven) means "first the images, then the numbers." This is observation-based divination using all things.
All-Things Hexagram Method: Seeing an elderly man (Qian trigram) coming from the southeast (Xun trigram) forms Heaven over Wind (Gou). Seeing a red object (Li trigram), hearing metallic sound (Dui trigram) forms Fire over Lake (Kui).
External Omen Hexagram Method: Suddenly hearing thunder, a cup breaking, a crow calling — these spontaneous "images" directly transform into hexagrams.
- Characteristic: Houtian hexagrams heavily depend on the diviner's "intuition" and familiarity with Eight Trigram correspondences. They are sensory and intuitive.
Purplestarmapper's AI system primarily simulates Xiantian hexagram's precise computation (time and random numbers), while we also strive through big data analysis to standardize Houtian hexagram's symbolic meanings, letting modern users experience the magic of "everything is I Ching."
Ti-Yong Dynamics: The Core of Fortune Determination in Meihua Yishu
Without grasping "Ti-Yong" (Body-Function), even a properly arranged hexagram remains unreadable for fortune. This is also Meihua Yishu's greatest technical difference from Liu Yao (King Wen Hexagram). Liu Yao examines Shi-Ying, Six Relations, and complex Five Element interactions; Meihua Yishu simplifies the world into binary opposition: Ti (Body) and Yong (Function).
1. What Are Ti and Yong?
In a primary hexagram, the trigram containing the moving line is called "Yong Gua" (Function Hexagram); the one without moving lines is called "Ti Gua" (Body Hexagram).
- Ti Hexagram: Represents self, subject, querent, current state.
- Yong Hexagram: Represents others, events, environment, the matter being asked about.
- Mutual Hexagram: Represents the development process, intermediate fluctuations.
- Transformed Hexagram: Represents the final outcome.
2. Five Elements Dynamics Determine Fortune
Meihua Yishu's interpretation rules are very intuitive, based entirely on Five Element (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth) relationships:
| Relationship | Explanation | Fortune |
|---|---|---|
| Yong Generates Ti | E.g., Ti is Wood, Yong is Water (Water generates Wood). Environment helps me; things go smoothly, noble people assist, gain without seeking. | Very Auspicious |
| Ti Generates Yong | E.g., Ti is Wood, Yong is Fire (Wood generates Fire). I must give and labor; not necessarily inauspicious but exhausting, draining vitality. | Draining |
| Ti Controls Yong | E.g., Ti is Wood, Yong is Earth (Wood controls Earth). I can control the situation; though effort is needed, goals can ultimately be achieved (like seeking wealth). | Mildly Auspicious |
| Yong Controls Ti | E.g., Ti is Wood, Yong is Metal (Metal controls Wood). Environment oppresses me; obstacles, disasters, financial loss or illness. | Very Inauspicious |
| Ti-Yong Harmony | E.g., Ti is Wood, Yong is Wood. Both sides equal in strength, mutual assistance, like friends helping. | Auspicious |
This system is simple yet profound. When you search for interpretation, our AI system first analyzes Ti Hexagram's strength. If Ti is being controlled, no matter how beautifully the hexagram text reads, you'll feel heavy pressure in reality; conversely, if Yong generates Ti, even in adverse circumstances (like Tun hexagram), you can find life in desperation.
Eight Trigram Correspondences: The Art of Reading "Images"
Meihua Yishu isn't just mathematics — it's also literature. Precise interpretation requires familiarity with the Eight Trigrams' "universal correspondences." This is also key to deepening content, as users commonly search "what does Qian trigram represent" or "what does Li trigram represent."
| Trigram Name | Correspondences |
|---|---|
| Qian (Heaven) | Father, leader, round objects, jade/gold, cold, Northwest |
| Dui (Lake) | Young daughter, mouth/speech, talking, damaged objects, sheep, West |
| Li (Fire) | Middle daughter, documents, beauty, dryness, armor, South |
| Zhen (Thunder) | Eldest son, movement, sound, trees, anger, East |
| Xun (Wind) | Eldest daughter, wood, rope, business, triple profit, Southeast |
| Kan (Water) | Middle son, danger/pit, alcohol, blood, thieves, North |
| Gen (Mountain) | Youngest son, stopping, doors/gates, dogs, mice, Northeast |
| Kun (Earth) | Mother, crowds, cloth/silk, square objects, cattle, Southwest |
Application Example: If Ti trigram is "Li" (Fire), Yong trigram is "Zhen" (Thunder).
- Five Elements: Wood generates Fire; Yong generates Ti, very auspicious.
- Correspondences: Zhen is thunder, eldest son; Li is fire, documents.
- Verdict: This matter (like exams or promotion) will receive help from an authoritative male (Zhen), with good news regarding reputation or documents (Li), and the news arrives quickly (like thunder).
This is Meihua Yishu's charm — transforming dry Five Element dynamics into vivid life scenarios.
FAQ: Common Myths and Answers About Meihua Yishu
Conclusion: From Technique Back to the Great Way
Meihua Yishu isn't just a predictive art — it's an art of "empathy."
It teaches us not to view things in isolation. A falling leaf isn't just plant metabolism — it might be autumn's messenger, or a sign that some life cycle is ending. Through learning Meihua Yishu, we learn sensitivity to every blade of grass and tree around us, learn to respect time, and learn to find that constant "number" in an ever-changing world.
Purplestarmapper is committed to transforming this ancient Song Dynasty wisdom into AI-era decision tools. Whether you use our time-based hexagram or number-based hexagram, remember: hexagram images are heaven and earth's language, and your heart is the only translator.
