The Interpretation of Hetu and Luoshu

Abstract

Hetu and luoshu, or the Yellow River trigrams and the Luo River trigrams, also the first mystical images in Chinese graphemic culture, are regarded as the origin of Heluo culture and feature prominently in the history of Chinese culture and Chinese thoughts. Many researchers of different dynasties expounded the sign of the image after the appearance of hetu and luoshu by Chen Tuan. The evolution of hetu and luoshu differed from the general process of symbolic evolution because its significance arose before its image. This particularity is due to the highly comprehensive and highly commensurable nature of hetu and luoshu as a meta-sign. According to the nearly archaeological excavation and using the methodology of “one vigor and four elements”, this paper makes the interpretation of its graphic which reflects the wisdom of ancient Chinese philosophy. The interpretation will be analyzed as following: Yin-Yang five-elements, the harmonious relationship between man and nature, meta-sign and the means of image-numerology in Hetu and Luoshu. A thorough study of Hetu and luoshu may help understand the evolution of Chinese nation, Chinese national character, beliefs and orientation of social life, and help clarify the deep historical roots of cultural communication, cultural psychology and spiritual orientation.