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Chapter 78 of 135
Xing Ping Hui Hai — Compendium of Stars and Zi Ping
The Yizhangjin formula was a secret method that ancient authors were reluctant to divulge in detail. Now, I have recompiled it using the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching and presented it in rhyming verses to make it easier for learners to memorize, avoiding abandonment due to complexity. For example, the year Jiazi is represented by the character "Qian" (乾), and the year Yichou by "Gou" (姤). Each year uses 16 characters (corresponding to the heavenly stems and earthly branches), divided into three poetic lines. In leap years, two additional characters are added. If the Beginning of Spring (Lichun) falls at the start of the month, it begins with the character "Chu" (初); if it falls in the previous year, it begins with "Nian" (念); if it falls after the tenth day of the first lunar month, it begins with "Wai" (外). For leap months, the character "Run" (闰) is added, combined with the specific day, ensuring logical clarity.
Take the 43rd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (Jiazi year) as an example: It begins with "Qian" to represent the Jiazi year; the first day of the first lunar month is Yihai, represented by "Ji" (济); the Beginning of Spring falls on the fourteenth day, denoted as "Wai Si" (外四); and as it occurs at the Chen hour (7–9 a.m.), the character "Chen" (辰) is explicitly noted. The first day of the second lunar month is Jiachen, represented by "Ding" (鼎); for the leap second month, the character "Run" is added first, and the first day is Jiaxu, represented by "Tun" (屯). The first day of the third lunar month is Guimao, represented by "Lü" (旅); the first day of the fourth lunar month is Renshen, represented by "Kan" (坎); the first day of the fifth lunar month is Renyin, represented by "Li" (离); the first day of the sixth lunar month is Xinwei, represented by "You" (有); the first day of the seventh lunar month is Xinchou, represented by "Gu" (蛊); the first day of the eighth lunar month is Gengwu, represented by "Jin" (晋); the first day of the ninth lunar month is Gengzi, represented by "Ke" (嗑); the first day of the tenth lunar month is Gengwu, represented by "Jin" (晋); the first day of the eleventh lunar month is Gengzi, represented by "Ke" (嗑); the first day of the twelfth lunar month is Jisi, represented by "Bo" (剥). Summarized, the poetic line is: "Qian Ji Wai Si Chen Ding Run, Tun Lü Kan Li You, Gu Jin Ke Jin Ke Bo Jiu." Other years can be deduced similarly.
From the era of Tang Yao and Yu Shun, it was the end of the "Si Hui." The Jiazi year of the eighth year of Xia Yu marked the initial cycle of the "Nian Hui," passing through the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Three Kingdoms, Han, Two Jins, Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, Five Dynasties, Song, and Yuan, until the establishment of the Ming Dynasty. The Jiazi year of the 17th year of the Hongwu era was the tenth cycle of the "Wu Hui"; the Jiazi year of the ninth year of the Zhengtong era was the second generation of the tenth cycle of the Wu Hui; the Jiazi year of the 17th year of the Hongzhi era was the fourth generation of the tenth cycle of the Wu Hui; the Jiazi year of the 43rd year of the Jiajing era was the sixth generation of the tenth cycle of the Wu Hui. Subsequent years can be calculated accordingly. If even heaven and earth are influenced by cyclical fortunes, how much more so are human destinies? 🌌
The essence of the Yizhangjin formula lies in simplifying the complex干支 calendar by encoding it through the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, using rhyming verses to enhance memorization. This reflects the ancient wisdom of the I Ching in "mastering complexity through simplicity." This method integrates time calculation, symbolic hexagram representations, and literary techniques, aiming to help learners quickly grasp calendar changes while implicitly conveying the philosophy of "cyclical fortunes"—the idea that both heaven and earth, as well as human destinies, are influenced by periodic patterns.
In a modern context, the Yizhangjin formula resembles a "memory encoding system" or "mnemonic technique," similar to how people today use abbreviations, rhymes, or numeric codes to simplify complex information (e.g., memorizing phone numbers or variable naming in programming). For instance, using "Qian" to represent Jiazi is akin to assigning memorable symbols to干支 (similar to using emojis like 🌊 for water or 🔥 for fire). The calendar calculation aspect can be compared to modern calendar apps that adjust for leap years and event reminders, though ancient methods relied more on manual memory and hexagram associations. The concept of cyclical fortunes suggests "the influence of environmental cycles on personal decision-making," akin to trend analysis or risk assessment in modern management.
Behind the Yizhangjin formula lies the Eastern philosophical concept of "harmony between heaven and humanity": the cyclical fortunes of heaven and earth (natural cycles) are interconnected with human destinies. This encourages people to view life from a macro perspective, recognizing that success depends on the combination of personal effort and environmental trends. In modern terms, this can be interpreted as "systems thinking"—we do not exist in isolation but are influenced by larger systems (e.g., society, nature). Therefore, decision-making should consider the overall context rather than focusing solely on short-term details. This also reminds us that "destiny" in traditional culture is not superstition but a rational way of dealing with uncertainty.
Please translate the above content into English, maintaining the original format and structure.