In the murky depths of humanity's primitive era, life was a relentless struggle. Yet, amidst the tribulations of existence, there emerged a figure of monumental significance - Fuxi. Leading his tribe with diligence, he toiled ceaselessly, "cutting bamboo, joining bamboo, moving earth, chasing game," yet hunger and cold remained constant companions. Perplexed and adrift, he sought solace atop the Guatai Mountain, contemplating the mysteries of the universe in his spare moments.
Gazing upon the ever-changing celestial bodies and observing the laws governing the land's features, Fuxi embarked on a journey of self-reflection, undeterred by the passage of time or the whims of weather. Perhaps it was his unwavering sincerity that moved heaven and earth, for one day, he was greeted by a wondrous vision. With a deafening roar, Longma Mountain across the Wei River split open, revealing a majestic sight: a dragon-horse soared out, gracefully descending to perch upon a split rock in the river. Illuminated by a radiant glow, the rock transformed into a three-dimensional Taiji symbol, with Yin and Yang intertwining in a dazzling display. Overwhelmed by this spectacle, Fuxi's consciousness was penetrated by the profound significance of the Taiji, realizing the simplicity of the unity between heaven and humanity - governed solely by Yin and Yang.
In a bid to perpetuate the blessings of nature for generations to come, Fuxi distilled his divine insights into simple symbols: representing Yang with "一" and Yin with "--", arranged in eight trigrams. He believed that the world was governed by two opposing yet complementary forces: Heaven and Earth, Light and Dark, collectively referred to as Yin and Yang. When Yang prevails, warmth ensues; when Yin dominates, cold prevails. Everything between Heaven and Earth is a manifestation of Yin and Yang.
The "Xici Xia" of the Yi Jing states: "In ancient times, Baoxi Shi ruled the world, observing the phenomena of Heaven above and the laws of Earth below. Observing the patterns of birds and beasts, and the appropriateness of the Earth, he took from himself and extended to all things. Thus, he created the Eight Trigrams to communicate the virtues of the divine and mirror the sentiments of all things." It further elaborates: "Therefore, the Yi has the Taiji, which gives birth to two polarities; the two polarities give birth to four phenomena, and the four phenomena give birth to the Eight Trigrams."
Archaeological findings from ancient Chinese tombs, as well as folk tales passed down through generations, preserve the myth of Fuxi and his sister Nuwa recreating humanity after a catastrophic flood. Depicted with human heads and serpentine bodies intertwined, Fuxi and Nuwa are often portrayed holding the sun and moon, symbols of cosmic dominion and creative power.
Fuxi's legacy endures as a testament to human ingenuity and spiritual exploration. His elucidation of the Eight Trigrams continues to guide seekers of wisdom, offering a glimpse into the timeless dance of Yin and Yang that governs the universe.
Comments