The Meaning of the Four Cardinal Directions

The 4 cardinal directions, the cosmic entry points of qi, are symbolically depicted in the Ho t’u, a figure seen on the back of a dragon horse by the legendary Emperor Fu Xi (2852-2738 BC). The values ​​of the so-called “4 emanations”, yuan, heng li zhen, the first four words of the Book of Changes, are another way of giving meaning to the four directions. Both are presented simply but contain mystical secrets. They are “pre-theories” from which many others have been derived, as many theories of Chinese medicine describe the movements and changes of Qi. The four cardinal directions describe the transformations of Qi from the subtle world of unity to the material world of division. They are the basis of the entire manifested world, climate and nature. Knowing the theory of the 4 cardinal directions will increase your understanding and skills to treat changes and movements of human qi.