7 of 8 Guas

Some more informations about the Ba-Gua system of ancient Chinese cosmology -- and progress of my sewing class. Things that you, my quilting friends in the anglo-american world, have learnt at 6.

I promised to tell you more about the Ba Gua. There are different systems. I do not always mention a direction because they are indicated differently, depending on the view (feng shui, medical system etc.)
This Gua is "the mountain", Gen. Season: Fall.  It is part of the earth element. There are 5 elements in Chinese cosmology. How can they make 8 Guas of 5 elements? 3 elements are doubled, earth, wood, metal. Each is represented by a yin aspect (cool, substance, liquid, dark) and a yang aspect (hot, energy, firm, light). So, obviously there can be only one water -- yin -- and one fire -- yang. The yang aspect of earth is Gen, mountain. Don't ask me why I chose egyptian symbols for the surrounding, maybe because ducks are seen as an earth animal in diet, maybe just because of the gold.

Thunder. Dark green, turquoise. Sudden, frightening events, nervosity. Electricity. Early spring. The clouds in the middle add a component of water. The violet corners are to indicate the light of distant thunderstorms on a night sky. On a medical level, it is liver.

Earth. Yellow. Center, quietude, balance, harmony. Pastel colors. Sweet taste.  All times of moderate temperatures. Stomach, pancreas. Enjoying.

Wind. Sour taste, fresh growth, spring. Liver and gall bladder. Oxygene which I symbolized by the squares with small particles, green meadows, east. Optimism, expanding activities, muscles.

 Dui, the lake. I did this a second time because the first one was surrounded with white triangles, and as I told you, I found that the overall look was less attractive. This is minor metal, reflexion of light, an aspect of space -- Qian, sky, is the large aspect, dui is the smaller space. Metal, spices like mint, cool and sharp

Water. Also this one is a new version because I started with a batting which is too stiff to go with the rest. Kan, water, is black and called "danger", symbolized by the aggressive fish. I used some "wood" symbols, too, like the turquoise bits, because water nourishes wood.  Water rules over kidneys and bladder, the disturbance causes fear.
So what is still missing is Qian, the sky and a central panel. Will probably surprise me as much as you.

I Wish You a Happy Water Dragon Year!

Dragons, printed on cloth after a gouache painting,
inspired by an ancient Chinese vessel

And may the dragon be a symbol for strength, beauty and spiritual growth. In Asia, it is a positive symbol, not the incarnated evil, but a natural force that arises in early spring. The Chinese celebrate the New Year in these days; the Tibetan calendar sees the 22 of February as the beginning of the Water Dragon year. In this article there are some very interesting and helpful remarks on astrology in general. See it with a huge portion of sensible and critical understanding. Most of it is what we make of it.
When I started doing needlework again a few years ago, I did so because being too much on the internet and reading each and every site on conspiracy theories wasn't doing my soul any good. True or not -- I decided not to decide, but feed my mind with issues I experienced to be positive. I worked on a cosy and colorful little world around me. The cushion is part of it.
Curing the world is hardly possible. Doing what we can without neglecting our own welfare has become my solution. Have a time of happiness and well-being!