In Plum Blossom Numerology, a thorough knowledge of the eight trigrams is essential. Each trigram is not merely a symbol — it is a field of correspondences linking natural phenomena, human attributes, body parts, family roles, directions, seasons, and the万物类象 (myriad things correspondence). The deeper your knowledge of these correspondences, the richer and more precise your readings become. For the complete history of how these symbols were developed, see History & Origins.
The万物类象 (wàn wù lèi xiàng) — literally "the images that classify the myriad things" — is the comprehensive catalogue of what each trigram represents. Below is a detailed reference for all eight trigrams. To understand how these trigrams are used in divination, see the Divination Methods and Interpretation pages.
The trigrams also appear throughout Chinese metaphysics: in Feng Shui Five Element theory, in the star system of Qi Men Dun Jia, in TCM meridian theory, and in the Ten Gods framework of BaZi. For key I Ching terminology, consult the I Ching Glossary.
乾 Qián
Heaven ☰
Metal · 金Nature
Creative, strong
刚健
Family
Father
父
Body
Head, bones
首、骨
Direction
Northwest
西北
Season
Late autumn / winter
秋冬之交
Animal
Horse, lion
马、狮
Color
Red, gold, white
赤、金、白
Number
1
一
万物类象 Myriad Things
Heaven, sky, ruler, president, boss, father, elder, precious metals, jewels, ice, frost, round objects, mirrors, high places, towers, capital cities, government buildings, grand halls, temples, old things, ancient artifacts, vehicles, horses, lions, elephants, swans, eagles, the color red/gold/white, hard/stiff things, metallic sounds,刚健之物.
兑 Duì
Lake ☱
Metal · 金Nature
Joyous, open
悦
Family
Youngest daughter
少女
Body
Mouth, lungs
口、肺
Direction
West
西
Season
Autumn
秋
Animal
Sheep, crab
羊、蟹
Color
White, silver
白、银
Number
2
二
万物类象 Myriad Things
Lake, marsh, joy, speech, mouth, tongue, young girl, concubine, musician, singer, servant, broken objects, damaged goods, entertainment venues, bars, restaurants, metalwork, jewelry, white objects, soft metals, brass, copper, sheep, goats, crabs, mollusks, wetlands, ponds, irrigation, beverages, alcohol, music, laughter, gossip.
離 Lí
Fire ☲
Fire · 火Nature
Bright, clinging
丽、明
Family
Middle daughter
中女
Body
Eyes, heart
目、心
Direction
South
南
Season
Summer
夏
Animal
Pheasant, bird
雉、鸟
Color
Red, purple
赤、紫
Number
3
三
万物类象 Myriad Things
Fire, sun, lightning, brightness, clarity, beauty, eyes, vision, middle daughter, woman, scholar, artist, writer, screen, display, electricity, lightning, lamps, candles, stoves, kitchens, furnaces, red objects, birds, pheasants, turtles, crabs, shellfish, dried things, documents, books, contracts, certificates, armor, weapons, warm places, southern regions.
震 Zhèn
Thunder ☳
Wood · 木Nature
Shocking, moving
动
Family
Eldest son
长男
Body
Feet, liver
足、肝
Direction
East
东
Season
Spring
春
Animal
Dragon, snake
龙、蛇
Color
Green, blue
青、碧
Number
4
四
万物类象 Myriad Things
Thunder, earthquake, vibration, eldest son, officer, police, military, drums, music, vehicles, roads, pathways, large trees, forests, bamboo, green plants, dragons, snakes, deer, elephants, feet, running, jumping, sudden movement, shock, surprise, awakening, new beginnings, gardens, nurseries, woodlands, eastern regions, tall structures, radio, telephone, broadcast.
巽 Xùn
Wind ☴
Wood · 木Nature
Gentle, penetrating
入
Family
Eldest daughter
长女
Body
Thighs, intestines
股、肠
Direction
Southeast
东南
Season
Late spring
春夏之交
Animal
Chicken, insect
鸡、虫
Color
White, green
白、碧
Number
5
五
万物类象 Myriad Things
Wind, air, breeze, eldest daughter, woman, widow, merchant, craftsman, herbs, grass, vines, creepers, chickens, insects, rope, thread, string, woodwork, furniture, boats, ships, fans, ventilation, fragrances, incense, fumes, smoke, wandering, travel, commerce, trade, persuasion, influence, gentleness, indecision, southeast regions, gardens, parks.
坎 Kǎn
Water ☵
Water · 水Nature
Dangerous, deep
陷
Family
Middle son
中男
Body
Ears, kidneys
耳、肾
Direction
North
北
Season
Winter
冬
Animal
Pig, fish
猪、鱼
Color
Black, dark blue
黑
Number
6
六
万物类象 Myriad Things
Water, river, sea, well, spring, rain, flood, middle son, thief, beggar, prisoner, fisherman, pig, fish, turtle, ear, kidney, blood, wine, oil, liquid, dark places, underground, tunnel, cave, pit, ditch, canal, plumbing, sewage, bridges, boats, ferries, northern regions, cold places, danger, traps, cunning, intelligence, hidden things, secrets, depression, fear, night.
艮 Gèn
Mountain ☶
Earth · 土Nature
Still, stopping
止
Family
Youngest son
少男
Body
Back, hands
背、手
Direction
Northeast
东北
Season
Late winter / spring
冬春之交
Animal
Dog, mouse
狗、鼠
Color
Brown, yellow
棕、黄
Number
7
七
万物类象 Myriad Things
Mountain, rock, stone, cliff, youngest son, child, monk, hermit, gatekeeper, dog, rat, squirrel, mouse, hand, finger, back, spine, door, gate, wall, fence, barrier, building, house, room, temple, monastery, path, trail, small road, northeast region, stubbornness, meditation, solitude, stopping, waiting, patience, stability, small stones, gravel, bones, fossils.
坤 Kūn
Earth ☷
Earth · 土Nature
Receptive, yielding
顺
Family
Mother
母
Body
Abdomen, spleen
腹、脾
Direction
Southwest
西南
Season
Late summer / autumn
夏秋之交
Animal
Cow, hen
牛、母鸡
Color
Yellow, black
黄、黑
Number
8
八
万物类象 Myriad Things
Earth, land, field, plain, mother, grandmother, old woman, peasant, servant, crowd, people, cow, mare, hen, abdomen, stomach, spleen, flesh, clothing, cloth, fabric, blanket, curtain, box, container, carriage, cart, flat land, farmland, market, village, southwest region, multitude, population, small things, numerous items, humility, devotion, patience, passivity, confusion, directionless.
Quick Reference Table
| # | Trigram | Image | Element | Family | Body | Direction | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ☰ 乾 | Heaven | Metal | Father | Head | NW | Late Autumn |
| 2 | ☱ 兑 | Lake | Metal | 3rd Dau. | Mouth | W | Autumn |
| 3 | ☲ 離 | Fire | Fire | 2nd Dau. | Eyes | S | Summer |
| 4 | ☳ 震 | Thunder | Wood | 1st Son | Feet | E | Spring |
| 5 | ☴ 巽 | Wind | Wood | 1st Dau. | Thighs | SE | Late Spring |
| 6 | ☵ 坎 | Water | Water | 2nd Son | Ears | N | Winter |
| 7 | ☶ 艮 | Mountain | Earth | 3rd Son | Back | NE | Late Winter |
| 0/8 | ☷ 坤 | Earth | Earth | Mother | Abdomen | SW | Late Summer |
Next: Worked Examples
See these trigrams in action through complete, step-by-step case studies.
View Examples