The Ba Gua of the Earlier Heaven is a cosmological symbol that describes the principles of the universe before its creation, without movement, time or space. This order of the eight tBaGua of the Earlier Heaven: A Beginner’s Guide
The BaGua of the Earlier Heaven (先天八卦) is a key concept in Chinese metaphysics, especially in Feng Shui, Bazi, Qi Men Dun Jia, and Yijing divination. It describes the fundamental structure of the universe before its creation—a state of perfect balance with no movement, time, or space. This diagram shows the ideal cosmic order, a model for harmony in the universe.
What Is the BaGua of the Earlier Heaven?
The BaGua consists of eight trigrams, which represent fundamental forces in the universe. These are arranged in an octagonal shape, each trigram opposing another, forming a perfect balance of Yin and Yang—the two primal forces. This order symbolizes cosmic stability and harmony.
Origin of the BaGua of the Earlier Heaven
The arrangement of these trigrams is attributed to Fu Xi, a legendary figure in ancient Chinese mythology, which is why it’s also called the BaGua of Fu Xi. According to tradition, Fu Xi created this arrangement to represent the universe’s principles before any physical creation took place.
Etymology
- The term 先天 means “Previous Heaven” or “Before Heaven,” referring to the state before the creation of the world, or before birth.
- The ideograms 八卦 mean “Eight Trigrams.”
In Chinese, 先天八卦 is pronounced Xiān tiān bā guà, though you might also see the term PaKua used in English to describe BaGua.
The Structure of the Earlier Heaven BaGua
The Earlier Heaven BaGua is more than just a set of symbols—it’s a model for cosmic structure. A well-known classical text describes it as:
- Heaven and Earth fix the positions.
- Mountains and Marshes let the air circulate.
- Thunder and Wind interact with one another.
- Water and Fire do not attack each other.
This highlights the balance and harmony between natural forces.
Arrangement of the Eight Trigrams in the Earlier Heaven
In the Earlier Heaven arrangement, each trigram has an opposing counterpart. These pairs show the complementary nature of Yin and Yang, where each force balances the other:
- ☰ Qián (Heaven) is opposite ☷ Kūn (Earth)
- ☲ Lí (Fire) is opposite ☵ Kǎn (Water)
- ☱ Duì (Lake) is opposite ☶ Gèn (Mountain)
- ☳ Zhèn (Thunder) is opposite ☴ Xùn (Wind)
This arrangement emphasizes the harmonious interplay of opposites, with each pair creating a dynamic balance.
Difference Between Earlier Heaven and Later Heaven BaGua
- Earlier Heaven BaGua: Represents the unchanging cosmic structure and the universe’s fundamental patterns. It is used for understanding the natural order and structure of things.
- Later Heaven BaGua: Represents movement, change, and practical applications. It is used in calculations, directionality, and practical applications like Feng Shui, where we deal with the flow of energy (Qi).
The BaGua of the Earlier Heaven is an essential concept in understanding the underlying structure of the universe. It shows a perfect balance of Yin and Yang, and its arrangement reflects how the universe existed before creation. For practical purposes, like Feng Shui, we look to the Later Heaven BaGua to understand movement and change, but the Earlier Heaven BaGua remains the foundation for understanding the universe’s true nature.