On the Thirty-Six Animals

On the Thirty-Six Animals

Overall Paraphrased Interpretation

There is a vast variety and multitude of animal species. Here, thirty-six are selected for explanation based on the number of the Six Jias (a simplified version of the Sixty Jiazi) and referencing the method of the Shi Jing. The twelve zodiac animals correspond to the twelve Earthly Branches, with each branch assigned three animals or insects, resulting in a total of thirty-six animals. Why are there three animals per branch? This divides a day into three periods: morning, day, and evening. If interpreted literally, all twelve zodiac animals should occupy the daytime position and not be dispersed into morning or evening. However, according to the principles of the Shi Jing, this allocation is based on the waxing and waning of "Qi": Meng (the first period) corresponds to evening, Zhong (the middle period) corresponds to day, and Ji (the final period) corresponds to morning. Thus, the twelve zodiac animals precisely correspond to the twelve two-hour periods, while the remaining twenty-four animals are supplementary and do not directly occupy the branch positions.

Meng corresponds to evening because Meng represents the beginning of a period, where Qi is nascent but not yet flourishing, tending toward Zhong when it becomes vigorous. Hence, it belongs to evening, symbolizing the approach of flourishing Qi. Zhong corresponds to day because Qi is most vigorous during the middle period. Ji corresponds to morning because Ji is the end of a period, where Qi has already declined, but it once approached Zhong with a kingly momentum, so it belongs to morning. This allocation aligns with the positions in divination methods, with both interpretations holding logical validity.

Wang Jian's explanation:

• Zi hour: morning is Swallow 🐦, day is Rat 🐀, evening is Bat 🦇.
• Chou hour: morning is Ox 🐂, day is Crab 🦀, evening is Turtle 🐢.
• Yin hour: morning is Wildcat, day is Leopard, evening is Tiger 🐅 (but the Ben Sheng Jing says morning is "raw wood," day is Tiger, evening is Wildcat).
• Mao hour: morning is Hedgehog 🦔, day is Rabbit 🐇, evening is Raccoon Dog (some say morning is Fox 🦊; Ben Sheng Jing says evening is Crane).
• Chen hour: morning is Dragon 🐉, day is Water Dragon, evening is Fish 🐟.
• Si hour: morning is Eel, day is Earthworm, evening is Snake 🐍 (some say evening is Tortoise; Ben Sheng Jing says morning is "red earth," day is Snake, evening is Cicada).
• Wu hour: morning is Deer 🦌, day is Horse 🐎, evening is River Deer (Ben Sheng Jing says morning is Horse, day is Deer, evening is River Deer).
• Wei hour: morning is Goat 🐐, day is Eagle 🦅, evening is Wild Goose 🦢 (Ben Sheng Jing says evening is "old wood").
• Shen hour: morning is Cat 🐱, day is Ape, evening is Monkey 🐒 (some say morning is Goat; Ben Sheng Jing says evening is "dead stone").
• You hour: morning is Pheasant, day is Chicken 🐓, evening is Horse (some say morning is Chicken, evening is "dead stone"; Qin Bian says evening is "dead earth"; Ben Sheng Jing says evening is Kite).
• Xu hour: morning is Dog 🐕, day is Wolf 🐺, evening is Jackal (some say evening is "dead metal"; Qin Bian says evening is "dead fire").
• Hai hour: morning is Pig 🐖, day is Ape, evening is Pig (some say morning is "raw wood," day is Pig, evening is Slug; some say morning is Piglet, day is Pig; some say evening is "decayed wood").

Although ancient texts like the Ben Sheng Jing and Qin Bian offer differing interpretations, the allocation of day and night positions should logically follow the aforementioned explanations. For example, Zi hour corresponds to Rat, Swallow, and Bat because they are all dark in color, representing the water element. Rats are nocturnal, symbolizing Yin energy; they often emerge headfirst from burrows, symbolizing Yang energy budding at Zi hour. Swallows have red beneath their beaks, symbolizing Yin embracing Yang, and forked tails representing the Yin number two. They arrive at the Spring Equinox, following Yang, and hibernate at the Autumn Equinox, following Yin. The Book of Rites: Monthly Ordinances mentions the arrival of swallows in mid-spring for rituals praying for offspring, and their departure at the Autumn Equinox, reflecting the relationship between Zi and Mao. The Yi Tong Gua Yan states that swallows are Yin birds, bats transform from aged rats and are called immortal rats, and in dialect, they are known as "hidden wings." All three are Yin creatures, hence they reside together in Zi.

Other branches follow similar allocations based on the Five Elements, climate, and symbolism:

• Chou corresponds to Ox, Crab, and Turtle, as Chou belongs to Gen, the Beginning of Spring season, when farming begins and oxen plow; crab legs resemble rooted plants; turtles, as earth essences, are hard outside and soft inside, symbolizing earth containing Yin and Yang.
• Yin corresponds to Tiger, Leopard, and Wildcat, as they share similar forms; Yin is the wood position, governing forests, and Gen represents mountains, where tigers dwell; their striped patterns resemble fire, symbolizing literary grace; they correspond to the Ji Constellation, which governs wind, and tigers roar to summon wind.
• And so on.

Finally, why are these small animals chosen instead of mythical creatures like the Qilin or Phoenix? Because the twelve zodiac animals are all aware of seasonal Qi and respond to Yin and Yang. The Qilin and Phoenix are already assigned to the Five Sacred Creatures (Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, Qilin, Tiger), but the Dragon and Tiger are reused due to their ability to move clouds and wind, responding to Yin and Yang energy. The twelve zodiac animals originate from the dispersed Qi of the Big Dipper stars, which connects to human destiny and is tied to the North Star, hence their use as zodiac signs. The Chun Qiu Yun Dou Shu mentions stars dispersing into animals, corresponding to celestial stars and subordinate to yearly fate. The thirty-six animals each govern a direction, serving as leaders among animals and insects, aligned with the Five Elements, and overseeing many others. However, they are not the focus of divination, so detailed explanations are omitted.

• Modern Context Optimization: Faithfully retaining the original meaning while restating it in modern language, emphasizing logic and symbolism rather than superstition. Emojis like 🐀 Rat, 🐦 Swallow, 🦇 Bat for Zi hour, etc., are added to enhance readability.
• Readability Enhancement: Lists and bolded key terms such as Meng, Zhong, Ji are used, with appropriate emojis (e.g., 🌅 morning, 🌞 day, 🌙 evening) to denote time.

🧠 In-Depth Understanding

Core Concepts 💡

• Yin-Yang and Five Elements Allocation: The thirty-six animals are based on the twelve Earthly Branches, with each branch divided into three animals corresponding to the three periods of a day (morning, day, evening), reflecting the waxing and waning of Qi (Meng evening, Zhong day, Ji morning).
• Symbolism and Seasonal Response: Animal selection is based on their habits, colors, and forms aligning with Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, e.g., rats being nocturnal symbolizes Yin, swallows arriving at the Spring Equinox follow Yang.
• Stellar Qi Correspondence: The twelve zodiac animals originate from the Qi of the Big Dipper stars, dispersing into human destiny, emphasizing the harmony between heaven and humanity.

Modern Interpretation 🌟

• Demystification: Ancient observations were based on natural规律 (e.g., animal activity times, seasonal changes), serving as a symbolic system for classification and prediction rather than supernatural forces.
• Time Management Insights: The three-period division (morning, day, evening) resembles modern time management's peak, standard, and off-peak periods, applicable to optimizing personal routines (e.g., planning in the morning, executing during the day, reviewing in the evening).
• Ecological Symbolism: Animal correspondences reflect ancient ecological knowledge, e.g., tigers and leopards in forests during Yin hour, which can be extended to modern environmental protection or biodiversity concerns.
• Psychological Application: Animal traits can metaphorically represent personality characteristics (e.g., rat's caution, tiger's fierceness), useful for self-reflection or team role analysis.

Practical Value ⚡

• Divination Reference: In traditional divination practices like date selection or feng shui, animal symbolism can guide actions (e.g., avoiding major decisions during Zi hour due to rat symbolizing Yin; taking initiative during Wu hour due to horse symbolizing Yang).
• Cultural Education: Useful for teaching concepts of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, enhancing understanding of traditional culture, e.g., as case studies in history or philosophy courses.
• Creative Inspiration: In art, literature, or design, the thirty-six animals can serve as themes for symbolic creations (e.g., paintings, stories).
• Decision-Making Framework: Applying the concept of Qi waxing and waning to modern decision-making: Meng (initial phase) cautious exploration, Zhong (peak phase) full推进, Ji (final phase)总结 and adjustment.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

• Harmony Between Heaven and Humanity: Reflects the ancient philosophy of "heaven and humanity corresponding," interpreted modernly as emphasizing harmony between humans and nature.
• Change and Balance: The theory of Qi waxing and waning reveals the dynamic balance of all things, similar to modern systems theory, where everything has growth, flourishing, and decline cycles.
• Semiotic Value: The thirty-six animals are a semiotic system, using animal metaphors to express abstract concepts, reflecting humanity's effort to understand the world through observing nature.
• Awareness of Limitations: Based on ancient limited knowledge, some allocations may be far-fetched (e.g., turtle as earth essence). Modern interpretations should critically accept them, focusing on the thought process rather than literal application.

📚 Related Knowledge

• Related Concepts:
  • Twelve Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, etc., corresponding to time and方位.
  • Five Elements Theory: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, with mutual generation and克制, integrated into animal allocations (e.g., Zi Water, Chou Earth).
  • Yijing Divination: Used in divination methods like Liuren or Qimen for animal star verification.
  • Big Dipper: Stellar Qi dispersing into destiny, related to Daoist or astronomical beliefs.
• Further Reading:
  • Other chapters of Wu Xing Da Yi: e.g., "On the Five Elements," "On Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches."
  • Yijing hexagrams: Involving animal symbolism, e.g., "Qian as Horse," "Kun as Ox."
  • Shi Jing or Ben Sheng Jing: Original ancient texts for detailed animal allocations.
  • Chun Qiu Yun Dou Shu: Classic on stellar and animal correspondences.
• Modern Research:
  • Academic papers: Contemporary scholars like Li Ling or Liu Chaoying研究 the origin and cultural significance of the thirty-six animals.
  • Applied books: Some fortune-telling books combine the thirty-six animals with modern psychology for personality analysis.
  • Online resources: Yijing forums or databases offer digital interpretations for easy learning.

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