Chinese Traditions, The I Ching And New Year Symbols, Be Guided By Ancient Wisdom

Look here for the best information on Chinese traditions.  This includes the I Ching information on the year of the 'chinese sign'.  Let me help you be guided by the ancient wisdom.

It happens on the new moon. It is the first lunar month of the year. Spring is only around the corner – between four and eight weeks after this event. What is it? This is the Chinese new year – year to commemorate the beginning of something new! A re-birth! Now is the time to make a future.

People’s beliefs in China, look at this time as a time to consult the Chinese book of divination to tell them what to do. They might meditate and focus on a question “What do I have in store?” they may ask.

As they grasp their three coins and shake them, cupped in their hands, they proceed to drop them. This is ‘tails and heads’ with a difference! They do this six times and create lines on paper - some broken, some straight.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

This is the hexagram of the I Ching - the book of changes. Since the time of the many incarnations of Buddha in China, Chinese symbols in astrology from the yin yang to birth signs, the I Ching has been fundamental to many in the Far East. The way of the Buddha in China, Mystic and Taoist is a way of life. This ancient wisdom co-exists within the essence of the people and the way of the people are the essence within the wisdom.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

The Chinese New Year – a time of change, hope and expectation for the coming year. The Chinese year of the tiger, rat, ox, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and boar. Yes, there are twelve different Chinese astrological symbols, all represented by significant animals. Each animal has ownership of a given year, formulated over 12 yearly cycles. In the following grid, you will see a list of years with their corresponding significant animal. Which year were you born in? The year of the…Tiger? .. What animal year were you born under?

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Now, for a bit of fun!  Click on the following survey and tell the world what animal represents you!  It will be fun to find out which Chinese astrological symbol comes tops!  I am a monkey, so what are you?

Each symbol represents certain personality traits and, depending on which animal’s year you come under, you are supposed to display similar traits. As a monkey, for example, I can say that I do share the same personality as my Chinese astrological zodiac counterpart! The following link will be able to calculate and tell you about your sign. http://www.chinesezodiac.com/calculator.php Open a new browser and copy and paste this link. Click further and ‘Learn More’ - you will be able to see what personality you are! Clever eh? Thank you ChineseZodiac.com for this brilliant site!

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Beliefs in China are structured around a cultural norm. That is the way of the mystic, Taoist and the teachings of the many incarnations of Buddha. The firm belief comes from the idea of ‘first do no harm’, karma and natural forces.

First do no harm is a belief in neutrality. It can be symbolised in the form of the yin yang. Many people display this like this…

This display is a balance of extremes (look at how the rings and ‘S’ are displayed). It seems obvious that to display the yin yang like this is not about neutrality. Do you really want to attract a life with the forces working in extreme? This is not neutral! The way of the yin yang, therefore, should be displayed as follows…

This is a balance. It is about neutrality.

Karma is about what ever action that is performed there is a reaction. - what comes around, goes around., typically, with a three fold effect. This is why the first principal of ‘First do no harm’ is so important - because of the effect of karma!

Natural forces are ones that are around us all the time. We live in a finely balanced world. We have finely balanced bodies. These energies or forces are sources of ch’i – heaven’s energy (astrological energy for guidance), our own energy (water and wind in the form of blood and breath) from within our bodies and earthly energy (the energy of our environment). Beliefs in China’s people firmly reside in the influence of disciplining our body’s energy with a proper diet and meditation for the mind, body and spirit. Working with the energy in our environment, so is believed, and manipulating that energy though colours, materials, shapes and careful positioning, can be beneficial to people’s well being. This is called Feng Shui.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

All these themes merge like a tree. Which one is stronger? The oak tree or the bamboo? It is the bamboo. For, although it is hollow and small in comparison to the oak, there is great strength. When there is a storm, for example, the oak may fall, whilst the bamboo just goes with the flow. These beliefs in China are paramount to a way of life.

The yin and yang are two cosmic forces of energy. Both opposing, yet complementing. It symbolises the balance of the universe for which one could not survive without the other. The forces, therefore, of heaven are yang and earth are yin. Yang is the light, the male principal – yin is the dark, the passive female. For positive auspicious Feng Shui, there must be balance and harmony between yin and yang.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

This is a time for merriment, feasting and a time for well wishes with family and friends.  Houses are spring-cleaned, accounts settled, business suspended and strips of red paper have printed characters to symbolise long life, health, wealth and happiness, together with spells to ward off evil spirits.  These are placed on doorposts in the house.  It is red for the luckiest of colours and dominates the house’s décor.  Offerings to the gods and ancestors are made.  New clothes are worn and drums and symbols are sounded.  This is a time to ward off evil powers and this is done by letting off fireworks, being noisy – banishing the negativity. 

New hope is born for the coming year. Consultation of the I Ching is one of the fundamental practices in the beliefs of people in China, the Chinese New Year is as good a time as any, if not better, to consult the ancient Chinese wisdom. This form of divination “How can I make my present life more prosperous and fulfilling?” maybe one question you might seek an answer for. Consulting the I Ching, book of changes, is an ancient practice and is taken very seriously in the Far East. It can be very useful to help people arrive at the right decisions.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Some of the text within the book of changes is actually older than any other book in the world and many vowel that by consulting it people become more aware of the ever-changing conditions around and within them. I have consulted the I Ching for many years, just as Carl Gustav Jung (world famous Swiss Psychologist) and Nobel prize winner physicist Niels Bohr, this ‘system of changes’ has been invaluable to millions across generations. It teaches you to be like the bamboo and go with the natural flow of life.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

There are sixty-four answer combinations to a question in the form of hexagrams. These are built by the throw of three coins, six times. Each throw combination equates to either a line or a broken line. You will need a paper and pen to build the hexagram drawing. This is the yin yang element. The most important part of the divination process is that of a clear mind with great focus upon the question in hand. If it helps, light a candle and listen to some soothing music. The ritual of throwing the coins can help with focusing too, but you need to be sure that you have the right question formulated precisely in order to achieve the right answer! A confused mind can lead to a confused answer. Some people find it best to write the question down, so be specific with the question.

I have my own I Ching coins with a hole in the middle, but you can use any ordinary coin as long as it is the same size. Just cup the coins and concentrate on the question in hand, shake and throw!

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Two heads and one tail, draw a straight line like this: ________

Two tails and one head draw a divided line like this: ___ ___

Three heads, draw a divided line with an ‘X’ like this: ___ ___ x

Three tails, draw a straight line with an ‘X’ like this: ________ x

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

With each throw, draw the relevant line starting, like the above example, from the bottom up to create a hexagram consisting of six lines. It is like a tower structure. The ‘X’ on the hexagram represents ‘Changing Lines’. Depending on what line the ‘X’ appears, then that corresponds to additional information. This is something that I shall not go into too deeply - it might be something you might want to explore more seriously in the future should you wish to consult the I Ching. What I can say is that the changing line refers to impending developments in your life.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

The lines within the I Ching, book of changes, are always counted from the bottom up. The first three lines of the hexagram describe your life as it is now, while the last part indicates what might develop next. With changing lines, you simply convert the line to its opposing line. That is why it is a ‘changing’ line. This will create a different hexagram for you to refer to for further reading taken from the 64 answers.

An example of a changing line will go from this: ________ x to this: ___ ___

This then changes the hexagram, once built, into something different. You will, therefore, need to read both of the texts.

Please now take a look at the following reference diagram. The hexagrams correspond to the appropriate ancient text within the I Ching, book of changes.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

I have found a website that will give you brief meanings to each hexagram, this isn’t thorough but is helpful to use as an example. Please click here to view.

If you want a really good book, that includes the ‘changing lines’ feature, I have used 'The Living I Ching: Using Ancient Chinese Wisdom to Shape Your Life' for years and have found it perfect! It is comprehensive. The website link that I have provided is just for introduction purposes and is aimed as a taster for you.

This version, translated by Wilheim, of the I Ching, Book of Changes has some input from Carl Jung. It has great reviews and Amazon allows you a peak inside the book.

Package sets are great, not only for gifts, but for the seeker who wants everything in one place. This is personal choice, of course. Access to the wisdom works in many ways to many different people. You have to find the right route to enlightenment yourself, no one can ultimately tell you. Anything you feel comfortable with is right, so look into your heart and allow the cosmic forces to guide you to what is right for you. Here are some that I have picked with the hope that it might help.

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Now is the start of a Chinese New Year of change. Change is an evolving thing. It doesn’t have to happen just for a new year! The Chinese book of divination, the I Ching, could help you to make a future or tell you what to do in a tricky situation. Beliefs in China ask you to respect the yin yang, the opposing cosmic energies and open your eyes to the natural order of things. The I Ching, the Chinese book of divination, the mystic, the Taoist and the beliefs of the many incarnations of Buddha in China, all advocate the idea of ‘first do no harm’. To live and let live, the Chinese signs and symbols in astrology from within the zodiac to the construction of the calendar, demonstrates the fine balance of the cosmos. We are, therefore, at one with nature and the universe and at one with the whole.

© This work is covered under Creative Commons License

-* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--* -*--*

Have you got a Experience? Why Not Write It and GET PAID!

For anyone who wants to write and earn money at the same time, why not join hubpages!

Just click here and follow the links!