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Five Movements Chart

The *Tianyuan Ji Dalun* (Great Discussion on the Origin of Heaven and Earth) states: In years of Jia and Ji, Earth Movement dominates; in years of Yi and Geng, Metal Movement dominates; in years of Bing and Xin, Water Movement dominates; in years of Ding and Ren, Wood Movement dominates; in years of Wu and Gui, Fire Movement dominates. The principles in the *Wuyun Yun Dalun* are also identical.

Five Days and Five Movements Chart

Song of Five Days
Wood corresponds to the Azure Sky, located at Wei, Shi, Liu, and Gui constellations;
Fire corresponds to the Cinnabar Sky, near Niu, Nü, Bi, and Kui constellations;
Earth corresponds to the Yellow Sky, at Xin, Wei, Jiao, Zhen, and Du constellations;
Metal corresponds to the White Sky, preceding Kang, Di, Mao, and Bi constellations;
Water corresponds to the Black Sky, at Zhang, Yi, Lou, and Wei constellations.
Below corresponds to the Five Movements, above corresponds to the Celestial Sphere.

This marks the beginning of ancient astronomical observation, examining the Five Qi, recording the Five Days (five celestial appearances), thereby establishing the Five Movements. The so-called Five Days and Five Qi refer to the phenomenon observed during qi-observation: the Fire Qi of the Cinnabar Sky passes over the Niu, Nü, Bi, and Kui constellations, descending upon the directions of Wu and Gui; this is why Wu and Gui years belong to Fire Movement. The Earth Qi of Heaven passes over the Xin, Wei, Jiao, and Zhen constellations, descending upon the directions of Jia and Ji; this is why Jia and Ji years belong to Earth Movement. The Wood Qi of the Azure Sky passes over the Wei, Shi, Liu, and Gui constellations, descending upon the directions of Ding and Ren; this is why Ding and Ren years belong to Wood Movement. The Metal Qi of the White Sky passes over the Kang, Di, Mao, and Bi constellations, descending upon the directions of Yi and Geng; this is why Yi and Geng years belong to Metal Movement. The Water Qi of the Black Sky passes over the Zhang, Yi, Lou, and Wei constellations, descending upon the directions of Bing and Xin; this is why Bing and Xin years belong to Water Movement. From this, it is known that the transformation of the Five Movements has its origins, dating back to the beginning of creation. For details, see the *Taishi Tianyuan Ce Wen* and the *Tianyuan Ji Dalun*.

Since the beginning of Taishi, when Yin and Yang separated and took their positions, although the images of the Five Movements were manifest in the Five Days, there were also methods of Month Establishment (Yuejian) and theories of the Twelve Zodiac Signs, implying another rationale for establishing the Movements. Month Establishment uses the first lunar month as the standard. For example, in Jia and Ji years, the first month begins with Bing Yin; Bing is the Yang Fire stem, and Fire generates Earth, thus Jia and Ji years belong to Earth Movement. In Yi and Geng years, the first month begins with Wu Yin; Wu is the Yang Earth stem, and Earth generates Metal, thus Yi and Geng years belong to Metal Movement. In Bing and Xin years, the first month begins with Geng Yin; Geng is the Yang Metal stem, and Metal generates Water, thus Bing and Xin years belong to Water Movement. In Ding and Ren years, the first month begins with Ren Yin; Ren is the Yang Water stem, and Water generates Wood, thus Ding and Ren years belong to Wood Movement. In Wu and Gui years, the first month begins with Jia Yin; Jia is the Yang Wood stem, and Wood generates Fire, thus Wu and Gui years belong to Fire Movement. These are the Five Movements born from the establishment of the first month.

Regarding the Twelve Zodiac Signs, among the twelve palaces, only the Dragon is capable of transformation and belongs to the Chen position. Whenever the Ten Heavenly Stems start from Jia, upon reaching the Chen Palace, they transform together with the Stem they encounter. For instance, the Jia-Ji stems begin at Jia Zi; upon reaching Chen, they belong to Wu, which is Earth; this is why Jia and Ji transform into Earth Movement. The Yi-Geng stems begin at Bing Zi; upon reaching Chen, they belong to Geng, which is Metal; this is why Yi and Geng transform into Metal Movement. The Bing-Xin stems begin at Wu Zi; upon reaching Chen, they belong to Ren, which is Water; this is why Bing and Xin transform into Water Movement. The Ding-Ren stems begin at Geng Zi; upon reaching Chen, they belong to Jia, which is Water (Note: Textual error in original source likely intended 'Wood', but translated literally as 'Water'); this is why Ding and Ren transform into Wood Movement. The Wu-Gui stems begin at Ren Zi; upon reaching Chen, they belong to Bing, which is Fire; this is why Wu and Gui transform into Fire Movement. This represents the transformation of the Five Movements upon encountering the Dragon.

Another theory posits that Jia (Yang Wood) controls Ji (Yin Earth), forming a couple to create Earth Movement. Yi (Yin Wood) marries Geng (Yang Metal) to create Metal Movement. Ding (Yin Fire) pairs with Ren (Yang Water) to create Wood Movement. Bing (Yang Fire) marries Xin (Yin Metal) to create Water Movement. Wu (Yang Earth) marries Gui (Yin Water) to create Fire Movement. These two theories have different meanings; both are preserved here for reference and comparison.

Chart of the Records of Five Movements and Three Qi

Song of Three Qi
Fuhe, Fasheng, Weihe, and Water;
Shengming, Hexi, Fuming, and Fire;
Shenping, Jiancheng, Congge, and Metal;
Beihua, Dunfu, Bijian, and Earth;
Jingshun, Liuyan, Helou, and Water;
Pingqi, Taiguo, Buji, and their numbers.
For detailed meaning, refer to Chapter 13 of the *Yunqi Lei*.