Ba Gua (Trigrams)



Heaven (Qian — The Creative)



Attribute: Strength, creativity
Animal: Horse
Body: Head
Family: Father
Directions: Northwest

This is the great masculine strength that drives the ceasless motion of the stars; its power creates life and sustains the integrity and order without which it would collapse. In human life, this is the imperative to move and create — but above all it is a supra-human force.

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Earth (Kun — The Receptive)



Attribute: Docility, receptivity
Animal: Ox
Body: Belly
Family: Mother
Directions: Southwest

The earth is fully open to receive the creative impulse of heaven and bear life, giving form to its inspirations and supporting its creatures in their growth. She is generous, tolerant and nurturing, representing the ideal of altruistic service.

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Thunder (Zhen — The Arousing)



Attribute: Movement, initiation, action
Animal: Dargon
Body: Foot
Family: Eldest son
Directions: East

The ancient Chinese perceived thunder as a life-giving force that rose from the earth to power the new growth of Spring. It represents a rousing shock, potentially terrifying, but also exciting and hugely productive; it impels things into motion and inspires us to act.

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Wind/Wood (Xun — The Gentle)



Attribute: Penetration, following
Animal: Fowl
Body: Thigh
Family: Eldest daughter
Directions: Southeast

The wind moves freely, gently penetrating everywhere, bringing its subtle influence for growth. Because it is so gentle and submissive, it reaches everywhere without meeting any resistance. This is the energy spoken in the Tao Te Ching: "The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substance enters where there is no space... "

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Water (Kan — The Abysmal)



Attribute: Danger
Animal: Pig
Body: Ear
Family: Second son
Directions: North

This is the running water of a stream, and also the deep, dark gorge through which it runs. It represents venturing forth into a testing time of darkness and struggle - the great danger of an irrevocable commitment.

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Fire (Li — The Clinging)



Attribute: Brightness
Animal: Pheasant
Body: Eye
Family: Second daughter
Directions: South

The radiant strength of the sun, that warms and illuminates everything. In humans, it represents vision and intelligence, the discriminating light of the mind. Consciousness clings to its object as fire clings to its fuel.

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Mountain (Ken — Keeping Still)



Attribute: Stillness, stopping
Animal: Dog
Body: Hand
Family: Youngest son
Directions: Northeast

The mountain brings things to a halt; it represents endings, accomplishments and containment. Stillness and stability are the manifestation of its profound strength. It is the opposite of Chen (thunder).

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Lake (Dui — The Joyous)



Attribute: Pleasure, joy, attraction
Animal: Sheep
Body: Mouth
Family: Youngest daughter
Directions: West

This is like the energy of a happy young girl, freely communicating her joy. It is the trigram of social interaction and cultural and commercial exchange. It evokes images of reflective, sparkling water, and of a fertile rice paddy that is reason for celebration.

dear bro,there is also the other type of 8 gua whereby they call the heaven and earth 8 gua. heaven in the top of the 8 gua and earth is on the bottom of the trigrams. that is the 8 gua that my temple use to do the steps for the 5 armies. wgy is there a few types of 8 guas arranged with different elements?
regards
CT

I believe you referring to Xiantian Bagua. There's two type of Bagua, Xiantian (Early Heaven) Bagua & Houtian (Later Heaven) Bagua.

How do we differentiate it? Its simple, The Xiantian Bagua have the Qian/Heaven; Father Trigrams in Top and Kun/Earth; Mother Trigrams in the Bottom. While Houtian Bagua have the Li/Fire; Middle Doughter Trigrams in Top and Kan/Water; Middle Son Trigrams in the Bottom.

Xiantian Bagua is invented by Fuxi. King Wen, the first emperor of Zhou dynasty researched and rearrange it, thus he invented Houtian Bagua.