Tai Yi Shen Shu (太乙神數) is the most prestigious of the "Three Wonders" (三式), which also include Qi Men Dun Jia and Da Liu Ren . While Qi Men focuses on Earthly Space (Geography) and Liu Ren focuses on Human Affairs, Tai Yi is dedicated to **Heavenly Timing (天時)**. Historically used by imperial astronomers to predict wars, earthquakes, and dynastic shifts, it calculates the movement of the "Tai Yi" star through the cosmic cycles.
Tai Yi Shen Shu (太乙神數 - Tài Yǐ Shén Shù)
The Great One: Calculating the Cycles of Heaven
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Module 1: The Chronological Foundation (太乙積年)
Tai Yi is a purely mathematical system based on massive time cycles. The first step in any calculation is determining the Accumulated Years (Ji Nian) from the Great Origin.
- The Shang Yuan (上元): Understanding the 3,600-year cycle of the "Tai Yi Era."
- Five Yuan Six Ji (五元六紀): A significant temporal cycle comprising 360 years . Within this, Tai Yi resides in each palace for three years, completing a full rotation in 24 years.
- Tai Yi Ji Mu (太乙積年): Calculating the years elapsed since the "Great Prime" (Taiji Shangyuan).
- The 72 Bureaus (七十二局): Dividing the Ji Mu to find the current year's placement within the 72 Yang bureaus (Yang Dun) and 72 Yin bureaus (Yin Dun).
太乙神數是一套基於宏大時間週期的純數學系統。推算的步就是確定從「大元」開始的 太乙積年 。
- 上元周期： 理解「太乙紀元」中3600年的大循環。
- 五元六紀： 一個重要的時間周期，共計 360年 。在此期間，太乙在每宮駐留三年，24年完成一周巡行。
- 太乙積年： 計算從「太極上元」以來流逝的總年數。
- 七十二局： 通過積年演算確定當前處於「陽遁七十二局」或「陰遁七十二局」中的哪一局。
Module 2: The Sixteen Palaces (太乙十六宮)
Unlike other systems that use 8 or 12 sectors, Tai Yi uses a unique 16-Palace Board . Crucially, the "Great One" (Tai Yi) never enters the Central Palace , as it represents the North Star around which the universe revolves.
與其他使用8宮或12宮的系統不同，太乙神數使用獨特的 「太乙十六宮」 。關鍵點在於，太乙 永不入中宮 ，因為中宮象徵北極星，宇宙萬物皆繞其運行。
| Palace | Association (卦/支) | Direction | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Qian (乾) | North-West | Heaven Gate (天門) |
| 2 | Hai (亥) | North-West | Water (水) |
| 3 | Zi (子) | North | The Deep (正北) |
| 4 | Chou (丑) | North-East | Transition (轉樞) |
| 5 | Gen (艮) | North-East | Ghost Gate (鬼門) |
| 6 | Yin (寅) | North-East | Beginning (生髮) |
| 7 | Mao (卯) | East | Thunder (正東) |
| 8 | Chen (辰) | South-East | Growth (舒展) |
| 9 | Xun (巽) | South-East | Wind Gate (風門) |
| 10 | Si (巳) | South-East | Fire (炎上) |
| 11 | Wu (午) | South | Zenith (正南) |
| 12 | Wei (未) | South-West | Decline (向陰) |
| 13 | Kun (坤) | South-West | Human Gate (人門) |
| 14 | Shen (申) | South-West | Harvest (肅殺) |
| 15 | You (酉) | West | Metal (正西) |
| 16 | Xu (戌) | North-West | Ending (歸藏) |
Module 3: The Star Generals (太乙諸神)
The core of Tai Yi analysis involves tracking the movement of specific "Generals" (Stars) through the 16 palaces to determine the state of the world.
- Tai Yi (太乙): The Supreme Ruler, indicating the general trend of the era.
- Wen Chang (文昌): The Scholar, representing the Host's logic and internal strength.
- Shi Ji (始擊): The Strike General, representing the Guest's external force or the point of impact.
- Ji Fu (計神): The Calculator, often representing the hidden guest or shadow movements.
太乙分析的核心在於追蹤特定「將神」（星曜）在十六宮中的移動，以判定天時地利與人事的吉凶。
- 太乙： 至尊之神，代表時代的大趨勢與領導力量。
- 文昌： 代表「主方」的謀略、邏輯與內在實力。
- 始擊： 代表「客方」的外部力量、進攻方向或衝擊點。
- 計神： 代表暗中的客方、隱藏的變數或影子行動。
Module 4: Grand Predictions (太乙占事)
Tai Yi is famously used for evaluating the outcome of major national events, natural disasters, and the rise and fall of leaders.
Predictive Techniques:
- The Three Calculations (三算): Zhu Suan, Ke Suan, and Ben Suan to determine numerical strength.
- Locks and Blocks (格): Patterns like "Tai Yi entering the Jail" or "Guest blocking the Host."
- Natural Disasters: Predicting floods, droughts, and earthquakes based on the element of the palace where Tai Yi resides.
太乙神數以預測國家大事、自然災害以及領袖人物的興衰而聞名於世。
占斷技術：
- 三算： 主算、客算、定算，用於衡量雙方的數值強弱。
- 格： 特定的格局（如「太乙入獄」、「客大勝」等）。
- 災祥預測： 根據太乙所處宮位的五行屬性，預測水、旱、震、蝗等天災。
Module 5: The Three Wonders Compared (三式比較 - Sān Shì Bǐjiào)
Tai Yi Shen Shu operates alongside Qi Men Dun Jia and Da Liu Ren as one of the "Three Wonders" (三式). Each system addresses a different domain of reality. Understanding their differences is essential to knowing when to apply each art.
太乙神數與 奇門遁甲 及 大六壬 並稱「三式」。三套系統各掌不同的現實層面。理解其差異，方能知道 何時 運用何種術數。
| Aspect | 太乙神數 (Tai Yi - Heaven) | 奇門遁甲 (Qi Men - Earth) | 大六壬 (Liu Ren - Man) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domain (領域) | Macro-events: nations, dynasties, natural disasters (國運、天災) | Strategy: direction, warfare, escape (方位、戰略、奇門) | Daily affairs: relationships, lost items, career (日常人事) |
| Time Scale (時間尺度) | 72-year Grand Cycles; eons (七十二年大周期) | 2-hour Shichen & Solar Terms (時辰、節氣) | The precise moment of inquiry (問卦瞬間) |
| Key Variable (核心變量) | Tai Yi Star position (太乙星位) | Hidden Jia / Door-Star-Deity (遁甲/門星神) | Solar Branch / Heavenly General (天將/類神) |
| Board Structure (盤式) | 16 Palaces (十六宮) | 9 Palaces (九宮) | 12 Branches on 4 Layers (十二支四課) |
| Best Question (最適問題) | "Will the dynasty survive this era?" (天命何歸？) | "Which direction should I attack?" (何方進擊？) | "Will I get the job?" (此事成否？) |
| Complexity (難度) | Highest — math-intensive (最高・純數學) | High — spatial reasoning (高・空間推演) | High — symbolic layering (高・象意疊加) |
| Historical Use (歷史用途) | Imperial Astronomical Bureau only (僅限欽天監) | Military strategists & Daoist priests (兵家・道士) | Scholar-officials & diviners (士大夫・卜者) |
💡 Practical Insight: The Three Levels of Inquiry
A master of the San Shi (三式) selects the system by scale: Tai Yi for "Will there be war this decade?" → Qi Men for "Which route avoids the enemy?" → Liu Ren for "Will the messenger arrive safely today?" Each art answers what the others cannot.
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Module 6: Case Studies from the Classical Record (經典案例 - Jīngdiǎn Ànlì)
Tai Yi charts are historically reconstructed from the recorded Ji Nian (積年) and correlated with known event outcomes. The following cases illustrate how the system's predictive logic operates across different domains — from dynastic collapse to natural catastrophe to military defeat.
太乙盤局歷來依據記載的 積年 推演復原，並與已知歷史事件相印證。以下案例展示該系統的預測邏輯如何橫跨不同領域——從王朝傾覆到天災地變，再到軍事敗亡。
Case 1: The Jingkang Incident — Fall of Northern Song (靖康之變, 1127 AD)
Year: Dīng Wèi (丁未), Northern Song Dynasty.
Chart Configuration: Tai Yi was in the "Guān" (關 — Imprisoned) condition. The Host General (representing Emperor Qinzong) fell into the Yīn Zhǔ (陰主) palace — the position associated with funerals, collapse, and endings (Palace 14, Xū 戌).
Analysis: When the Host General occupies the "Death" palace while Tai Yi itself is imprisoned, the classical texts state: "The ruler is captured; the capital falls." The Guest (Jurchen Jin 金) forces overwhelmed a structurally weakened Host with no avenue of escape.
Outcome: Both Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong were captured. The Northern Song dynasty collapsed entirely. This event is known as the Jingkang Shame (靖康之恥) .
Source: Reconstructed from Tài Yǐ Jīn Jīng Shì Jīng (《太乙金鏡式經》) and Song dynasty historical annals.
年份： 丁未年，北宋末年。
盤局： 太乙處於 「關」（囚禁） 狀態。主方將星（代表宋欽宗）落入 陰主宮 ——與喪葬、崩潰、終結相關的宮位（第14宮，戌位）。
分析： 主將居「死」宮而太乙自身被囚，經典曰： 「君被虜，京都陷。」 客方（女真金國）以壓倒性力量擊潰結構已然脆弱、無路可退的主方。
結果： 宋徽宗與宋欽宗雙雙被俘，北宋王朝徹底覆滅。此事件史稱 「靖康之恥」 。
出處： 據《太乙金鏡式經》及宋代史書復原推演。
Case 2: The Tangshan Earthquake (唐山大地震, 1976)
Year: Bǐng Chén (丙辰), People's Republic of China.
Chart Configuration: Tai Yi occupied the Earth Sector (Kūn 坤 / Gèn 艮 axis), undergoing a "Xíng" (刑 — Punishment) condition. The Dì Zhǔ (地主 — Earth Lord) spirit was active and agitated in its home palace.
Analysis: When Tai Yi resides in the Earth palaces and the Earth Lord spirit is simultaneously "punished," the classical interpretation signals a catastrophic release of Earth Qì (地氣). The Tài Yǐ Jīn Jīng Shì Jīng warns: "When Earth is punished, mountains crack and the ground splits open."
Outcome: On July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Tangshan, Hebei Province, killing approximately 242,000 people — one of the deadliest earthquakes in recorded history.
Source: Modern Tai Yi practitioners' retrospective analysis; cf. Tài Yǐ Tōng Zōng Bǎo Jiàn (《太乙統宗寶鑑》) on Earth-element disaster patterns.
年份： 丙辰年，中華人民共和國。
盤局： 太乙落入 土位 （坤/艮軸），遭遇 「刑」 之格局。地主神在其本宮處於激盪活躍狀態。
分析： 太乙居土宮而地主神同時受刑，經典解讀為地氣的災難性釋放。《太乙金鏡式經》警示： 「土受刑，山崩地裂。」
結果： 1976年7月28日，河北省唐山發生7.6級大地震，約242,000人罹難——有記錄以來最慘烈的地震之一。
出處： 現代太乙術士回溯推演分析；參見《太乙統宗寶鑑》關於土行災變格局之論述。
Case 3: Kublai Khan's Invasion of Japan (元軍征日, 1281 AD)
Year: Xīn Sì (辛巳), Yuan Dynasty.
Chart Configuration: The chart was reportedly calculated by imperial advisor Zhāng Kāng (張康). The Guest Count (representing the Mongol invasion fleet) was numerically strong, but the Guest General landed in the Dà Shén (大神 — Great Destruction) position within the Sea Palaces (Hài 亥 / Zǐ 子).
Analysis: Dà Shén is the 8th of the Sixteen Spirits, associated with Sì (巳) — severing, breaking, and catastrophic destruction . When the Guest's power concentrates in the Water/Sea sector under this spirit, the classical reading is: "The Guest shall be broken by wind and waves." Numerical superiority is negated by elemental destruction.
Outcome: The massive Mongol-Korean-Chinese fleet of approximately 4,400 ships was annihilated by a devastating typhoon — the legendary Kamikaze (神風 — Divine Wind) . The invasion failed entirely.
Source: Historical reconstruction; advisor Zhang Kang referenced in Yuan dynasty records and in Tài Yǐ Tōng Zōng Bǎo Jiàn (《太乙統宗寶鑑》).
年份： 辛巳年，元朝。
盤局： 據傳由皇帝謀臣張康推演。客方算數（代表蒙古征日艦隊）數值強盛，但客將落入 大神 位——位於海洋宮位（亥/子）。
分析： 大神為十六神中第八位，對應 巳——斷絕、毀壞、災難性破壞 。客方之力集中於此水/海宮位且受大神主宰，經典判讀曰： 「客為風浪所破。」 數量優勢被五行之毀滅力量所抵消。
結果： 蒙元聯軍約4,400艘戰船的龐大艦隊被毀滅性颱風徹底殲滅——即傳說中的 「神風」 。征日行動全面失敗。
出處： 歷史復原推演；張康其人見於元代史料及《太乙統宗寶鑑》。
Case 4: The Xinhai Revolution — End of Imperial China (辛亥革命, 1911)
Year: Xīn Hài (辛亥), Late Qing Dynasty.
Chart Configuration: The stem-branch combination Xīn (辛 — Metal) + Hài (亥 — Pig/Water) signals exhaustion. Tai Yi was transitioning into a new cycle , and the chart displayed a "Gé" (革 — Revolution) pattern — the classical indicator for a fundamental Change of Mandate (改命).
Analysis: The "Gé" pattern appears when the old Yang energy is fully depleted and a new cycle force emerges. In Tai Yi terms, this is "The Old Mandate is exhausted; Heaven transfers its favor" (舊命已竭，天命轉移). The Host (Qing Imperial House) had no structural support — no favorable General position, no elemental backing from the season.
Outcome: The Wuchang Uprising on October 10, 1911, triggered the collapse of the Qing Dynasty. The last emperor, Puyi, abdicated on February 12, 1912, ending over 2,000 years of imperial rule in China.
Source: Retrospective analysis by modern San Shi scholars; cycle transition patterns documented in Tài Yǐ Jīn Jīng Shì Jīng (《太乙金鏡式經》).
年份： 辛亥年，晚清。
盤局： 干支組合辛（金）亥（水/豬）示意氣數已盡。太乙正過渡至 新周期 ，盤局呈現 「革」 格——改命（天命更替）的經典標誌。
分析： 「革」格出現於舊陽氣完全耗竭、新周期力量崛起之時。太乙術語曰： 「舊命已竭，天命轉移。」 主方（清室）毫無結構性支撐——將星無利位，五行無季節之助。
結果： 1911年10月10日武昌起義引發清朝覆滅。末代皇帝溥儀於1912年2月12日遜位，結束中國兩千餘年的帝制。
出處： 現代三式學者回溯分析；周期轉換格局見《太乙金鏡式經》。
📖 A Note on Methodology (方法論說明)
These case studies are retrospective reconstructions (回溯復原) — a standard practice in Tai Yi scholarship. Because the imperial charts were closely guarded state secrets, modern scholars work backward from known historical events to validate the system's internal logic. The predictive power lies in the consistency of the patterns: the same "Guān" (Imprisoned) condition appears in every dynastic collapse, and the same "Dà Shén" (Great Destruction) spirit marks every military catastrophe involving elemental forces.
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🛠️ Relationship to Liuren Fajiao
While Tai Yi is often reserved for national-level divination, it provides the Macro-Cycle context for Liuren ritual work.
The "Heavenly Authority" (天命)
When a Liuren practitioner performs high-level protection magic for a region, they check the **Tai Yi Current Era** (Upper, Middle, or Lower Yuan) to see if the land is currently in a state of "Heavenly Support" or "Heavenly Testing." This dictates whether the ritual should focus on Dissolution (Xiao Zai) or Empowerment (Zeng Fu).
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The Sixteen Spirits (十六神 — Shíliù Shén)
Unlike the 12 Earthly Branches of standard astrology, Tai Yi employs a unique 16-position framework . The 12 Branches are supplemented by the 4 Inter-Cardinal Trigrams (Qian 乾, Kun 坤, Gen 艮, Xun 巽), creating a complete cosmic board. Each position is governed by a named spirit with specific archetypal symbolism for state affairs.
| # | Name (Pinyin) | Chinese | Branch / Trigram | Archetype & Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dì Zhǔ | 地主 | Zǐ 子 | Earth Lord — Stability, territory, foundations of power. |
| 2 | Yáng Dé | 陽德 | Chǒu 丑 | Yang Virtue — Benevolence, rewards, positive growth. |
| 3 | Hé Dé | 和德 | Gèn 艮 | Harmony Virtue — Mediation, peace-keeping, stillness. |
| 4 | Lǚ Shén | 膂神 | Yín 寅 | Spine Spirit — Governance structures, control, activation. |
| 5 | Gāo Cóng | 高叢 | Mǎo 卯 | High Thicket — Flourishing, over-expansion, dangerous exposure. |
| 6 | Tài Yáng | 太陽 | Chén 辰 | The Sun — Military conflict, weapons, public danger. |
| 7 | Dà Jiǒng | 大迥 | Xùn 巽 | Great Brightness — Imperial commands, decrees, new mandates. |
| 8 | Dà Shén | 大神 | Sì 巳 | Great Spirit — Destruction, breaking, catastrophic severance. |
| 9 | Dà Wēi | 大威 | Wǔ 午 | Great Majesty — Authority, awe-inspiring power, military strength. |
| 10 | Tiān Dào | 天道 | Wèi 未 | Heavenly Way — Hidden agendas, yin matters, secret operations. |
| 11 | Dà Wǔ | 大武 | Kūn 坤 | Great Military — Punishment, execution, coercive force. |
| 12 | Wǔ Dé | 武德 | Shēn 申 | Martial Virtue — Transmission, rapid movement, logistics. |
| 13 | Tài Cù | 太簇 | Yǒu 酉 | Great Gathering — Alteration, harvest cutting, systematic pruning. |
| 14 | Yīn Zhǔ | 陰主 | Xū 戌 | Yin Lord — Funerals, collapse, endings of power. |
| 15 | Yīn Dé | 陰德 | Qián 乾 | Yin Virtue — Sovereign commands, heavenly authority. |
| 16 | Dà Yì | 大義 | Hài 亥 | Great Righteousness — Strategic planning, careful withdrawal. |
The Grand Cycle (七十二局 — Qīshí'èr Jú)
Tai Yi completes a full revolution through all 16 palaces in 72 years — the fundamental unit of Chinese cosmic history. Tai Yi moves one palace every 3 years, making 24 moves per cycle. A Grand Era (五元 Five Yuan) spans 360 years (5 × 72). The modern era (2000–2072 CE) constitutes one such 72-year rotation, making Tai Yi analysis especially relevant for geopolitical and macro-economic forecasting through the mid-21st century.
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The Accumulated Years Formula & the Four Counts (積年·四算)
The mathematical backbone of Tai Yi rests on two precise computations: the Ji Nian (積年 — Accumulated Years) from the Primordial Epoch, and the Si Suan (四算 — Four Counts) that determine the relative power of Host and Guest forces.
The Accumulated Years (積年 Jī Nián) — Step-by-Step
This count measures years elapsed since the theoretical "Tai Ji Shang Yuan" (太極上元 — Supreme Ultimate Superior Epoch) cosmological starting point.
Formula: Gregorian Year + 10,153,917 = Ji Nian
(Different lineages use slightly different constants; the exact value is a closely-held lineage secret.)
- Divide Ji Nian by 360 → number of completed Grand Eras (五元).
- Take the remainder; divide by 72 → current 72-year cycle position.
- Take the remainder; divide by 3 → Tai Yi's palace position within the cycle.
- Determine Yang Dun (陽遁) or Yin Dun (陰遁) based on the cycle number — this governs the direction of Tai Yi's movement through the 16 palaces.
The Four Counts (四算 Sì Suàn) — Power of Host and Guest
The Si Suan calculates the numerical "power level" of each side by summing the palace-number values traversed by the generals:
- Host Count (主算 Zhǔ Suàn): Starting from Tian Mu (文昌 — Scholar General), count clockwise to the palace before Tai Yi. Sum the values of palaces passed (Palace values: Qian=1, Li=2, Gen=3, Zhen=4, Dui=6, Kun=7, Kan=8, Xun=9). If sum exceeds 10, take the units digit.
- Guest Count (客算 Kè Suàn): Starting from Shi Ji (始擊 — Strike General), count clockwise to the palace after Tai Yi. Sum and take the units digit.
Result Interpretation: Host Count > Guest Count → Defender has the structural advantage. Guest Count > Host Count → Aggressor prevails numerically. Equal counts → Stalemate or negotiated settlement.
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The Three Gates & Condition Patterns (三門·格局)
Beyond numerical counts, Tai Yi analysis examines the qualitative conditions of the board — specific positional patterns (格 Gé) that can override brute numerical strength entirely. The classical principle states: "縱有萬軍，難敵一格" — "Even with ten thousand soldiers, one cannot overcome a single Condition Pattern."
The Three Gates (三門 Sān Mén)
| Gate (門) | Chinese | Position | Strategic Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kāi Mén (Open Gate) | 開門 | Adjacent to Tai Yi (forward position) | Favorable for advancing, initiating campaigns, launching new endeavors. |
| Xiū Mén (Rest Gate) | 休門 | Opposite from Tai Yi (recovery position) | Optimal for diplomacy, consolidation, and recovery from prior campaigns. |
| Dù Mén (Block Gate) | 杜門 | Adjacent to the Disaster spirit | Stagnation and obstruction. All movements become blocked or reversed — retreat and wait. |
The Four Condition Patterns (四格 Sì Gé)
| Pattern (格) | Chinese | Description | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yǎn (Mask) | 掩 | Tai Yi is hidden or obstructed by an intervening spirit | True intentions concealed; intelligence unreliable; espionage and shadow governance prevail. |
| Pò (Break) | 破 | The Host General directly clashes with the Tai Yi position | Revolt, betrayal from within, military mutiny — the ruling force fractures from the inside. |
| Guān (Imprison) | 關 | Tai Yi is trapped by hostile elemental forces on all sides | Leadership paralyzed and unable to act. Associated with dynastic collapse and capture of rulers. |
| Qiú (Confine) | 囚 | Supply lines and resource flows are severed | Economic collapse, siege warfare, gradual starvation of a regime that holds power but lacks sustenance. |
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Extended Historical Case Studies — Five Additional Records (補充歷史案例)
The following reconstructed cases extend beyond the four primary examples already presented, illustrating Tai Yi's interpretive range across diverse historical contexts.
Case 5: The Battle of Red Cliffs — Fire Defeats the Guest (赤壁之戰, 208 AD)
Year: Wù Zǐ (戊子) — Water Rat year.
Configuration: The Guest General (Cao Cao's 曹操 campaign) achieved a high numerical count, yet landed in the Kǎn (坎) Water palace . The Host (Sun Quan 孫權 and Liu Bei 劉備) had a lower count but held the Xùn (巽) Wind position .
Analysis: Classical principle — "Fire assisted by Wind destroys the Guest." The Guest's numerical advantage was structurally neutralized by elemental placement: Water feeding the Host's eventual fire attack via Wind. Zhou Yu's fire-ships destroyed Cao Cao's fleet not merely by strategy, but in accord with the chart's dictates.
Outcome: Cao Cao's force was catastrophically routed; the Three Kingdoms division of China was crystallized. Source: Retrospective per Tài Yǐ Tōng Zōng Bǎo Jiàn .
Case 6: The An Lushan Rebellion — Subject and Object Reversed (安祿山之亂, 755 AD)
Year: Yǐ Wèi (乙未).
Configuration: The Fǎn Yīn (反吟 — Subject and Object Reversed) pattern — Guest General encroaches directly onto the Tai Yi position symbolizing the Imperial Court. This is the most dangerous pattern in the Tai Yi canon: "The General turns against the Emperor."
Outcome: An Lushan 安祿山, a court general, launched a rebellion that nearly destroyed the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Xuanzong 玄宗 was forced to flee the capital Chang'an. Eight years of civil war (755–763 AD) ended the Tang golden age. Source: Song dynasty commentaries on the Tài Yǐ Jīn Jīng Shì Jīng .
Case 7: Founding of the Ming Dynasty — Great Brightness Ascending (明朝建立, 1368 AD)
Year: Wù Shēn (戊申).
Configuration: Tai Yi entered the Dà Jiǒng (大迥 — Great Brightness) position during a Yang Dun cycle transition — the exact moment when "Old Guest energy is exhausted and New Host is ascending."
Analysis: The classical text states: "New mandate dawns; the Son of Heaven emerges from the common people" (新命開，天子出微). Zhu Yuanzhang's 朱元璋 rise from rural poverty to Emperor precisely embodied this pattern.
Outcome: The Ming Dynasty was established, ruling China for 276 years (1368–1644). Source: Ming imperial astronomical records and Tài Yǐ Tōng Zōng Bǎo Jiàn .
Case 8: Battle of Fei River — The Empty Multitude (淝水之戰, 383 AD)
Year: Guǐ Wèi (癸未) — Former Qin (苻堅, 870,000 troops) versus Eastern Jin.
Configuration: Guest (Fu Jian 苻堅) showed extreme numerical strength — "Many Clouds covering the Sun." Host (Eastern Jin) had minimal count but occupied the Shǐ Jī (始擊 — Strike General) point targeting the center of the adversary's mass.
Analysis: "The Guest is bloated and empty" (客大虛) — sheer weight without structural coherence collapses under precise pressure. Host's low count was compensated by the "Assassin Position," enabling a psychologically devastating strike at the river crossing.
Outcome: Fu Jian's colossal army panicked, catastrophically routed. Eastern Jin survived; Former Qin disintegrated. Source: Jin dynasty chronicles reconstructed per classical method.
Case 9: Tumu Crisis — The Emperor Captured (土木堡之變, 1449 AD)
Year: Jǐ Sì (己巳) — Ming Dynasty.
Configuration: Host General (representing Ming Emperor Zhengtong 正統帝) fell into the Sǐ Mén (死門 — Death Gate) while the Guest General (Mongol Oirat under Esen 也先) occupied the Shēng Mén (生門 — Life Gate) . The Pò (破 — Break) pattern was also active, indicating the Host's command structure had fractured from within.
Analysis: When the Emperor's position enters Death Gate with Break simultaneously active, the classical prediction is capture rather than death — the ruler is taken alive. The eunuch Wang Zhen 王振 had overridden experienced generals, directly triggering the "Break" condition.
Outcome: Emperor Zhengtong was captured at Tumu Fortress — the only Ming emperor ever taken captive in battle. Held for one year before ransomed. Source: Ming Shilu (明實錄) annals, retrospectively analyzed.
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Modern Applications of Tai Yi (現代應用 — Xiàndài Yìngyòng)
While few practitioners today advise emperors, Tai Yi's macro-cycle logic translates into contemporary analytical domains. The 72-year cycle corresponds remarkably to long-wave economic patterns (cf. Kondratiev cycles ~54–72 years):
| Domain | Application | Tai Yi Mechanism |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Markets | Long-wave economic cycle analysis; identifying Bull (Host) vs. Bear (Guest) dominant eras | Host > Guest → Expansion dominates the era; Guest > Host → Contraction and restructuring dominate |
| Geopolitics | Predicting hegemonic shifts, regime stability, and interstate conflict outcomes via "Country Charts" (國家盤) | Tai Yi's palace position relative to a nation's founding year determines the era's structural advantage or vulnerability |
| Epidemiology | Tracking the "Flying Stars of Pestilence" (瘟疫飛星) through 16 palaces to predict outbreak timing and geographic direction | When Dà Shén (Great Destruction, #8) coincides with a Water palace, epidemic patterns in water-borne or respiratory diseases intensify |
| Corporate Strategy | Evaluating major mergers and acquisitions (Acquirer = Host; Target = Guest) for structural timing and integration outcome | Host Count > Guest Count in the acquisition year → integration succeeds; reversed → hostile takeover or failed merger becomes likely |
The Contemporary Era (2020s–2030s)
Contemporary Tai Yi scholars place this decade within a Guest-dominant cycle — characterized by external disruption, technological transformation driven by non-institutional actors, and systemic challenges to established power centers. The Host (established states, traditional institutions) faces the Qiú (囚 — Confine) pattern: sufficient latent power but severed supply and resource coherence. The classical prescription: "When the Host is Confined, negotiate; conserve strength, do not expand until the Gate reopens."
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