Loading...
Chapter 6 of 12
葬经翼
Amidst towering mountains and ridges, a lofty peak suddenly rises from the earth, standing majestic and firm, commanding the surrounding terrain — no other mountain in the vicinity can rival its stature. Such a mountain is called the Ancestor Mountain. ⛰
Extending from the Ancestor Mountain, numerous ridges spread laterally across the landscape, each with varying lengths of strength. While all mountains tend toward a certain direction, only one particular vein possesses the unique ability to open and spread outward, now continuous, now interrupted, with front and rear ridges guarding and supporting it — this is the Main Trunk (the principal dragon vein). 🌿
From this Main Trunk, some mountains branch off into separate tributaries with gradually diminishing presence, while others draw forth new shoots from the main stock — these mark the beginning of dragon branching (分龙). Those that branch off independently are valued for their ability to form their own patterns; those that draw forth anew are valued for their ability to reveal a distinct countenance. Those that form their own patterns must still possess transformation to reach fulfillment; those that reveal a distinct countenance seek only to be exceptional in prominence and unimpeded in flow. 🌟
One should also observe, at the moment of initial branching and renewed shooting, the accompanying guardian ridges on all sides — which are abundant and which are scarce, which are short and which are long. From this, whether the site can attain water and whether it can form a complete configuration can be roughly discerned. 💧
The ancients said: "To establish a family, one must have good in-laws" — meaning that the rise of a family must rely on a sound Ancestor Mountain and Main Trunk as its foundation. This is precisely the principle!
This chapter's essence lies in expounding the dragon vein theory of Feng Shui, specifically the critical identification methods for "dragon branching" (分龙). Its fundamental logic follows a three-tier structure:
| Tier | Name | Characteristics | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Ancestor Mountain | A lofty mountain suddenly rises, commanding its domain, none can rival it | The root source of the dragon vein, the origin of vital energy |
| Second | Main Trunk | Where all converge, only it opens wide, with intermittent guarding | The principal artery of the dragon vein, the channel of vital force |
| Third | Dragon Branches | Each branches into its own body, then draws forth to reveal its face | Tributaries of the dragon vein, the distribution of life-giving energy |
Key Judgment Criteria:
Placing the "dragon branching" theory in a contemporary context, its core ideas transform into a universal structural cognition principle:
The relationship between trunk and branches determines the advantage of the overall configuration.
Specific applications in Feng Shui practice and site selection evaluation:
First discern the Ancestor Mountain, then seek the Main Trunk: When selecting a site, one must not only focus on local hills; one must first ascend to a high vantage point, identify the region's highest peak (the Ancestor Mountain), then follow its directional flow to discern the principal dragon vein. This corresponds to a "holistic survey" rather than "piecemeal inspection" in modern site selection.
At branching points, examine "formed body" and "revealed face": At the location where the dragon branches, one should focus on examining whether tributaries form their own patterns (with surrounding enclosure and internal undulation), and whether newly drawn veins reveal distinct countenances (not overly low-lying, not obscured by other veins).
Guardians are the core indicator: Observe the quantity and length of guardian hills on both sides at branching points. Dense and extended guardians indicate higher probability of attaining water (convergence of water forces) and forming a complete configuration (integral pattern), making the site a worthy candidate for auspicious locations.
"Good in-laws" means good ancestry — extended to a sound foundation: In modern selection of residences or workplaces, one must equally examine the "foundation": whether the region's main mountain veins are clearly discernible, and whether the surrounding environment forms effective enclosure and support, rather than remaining isolated and unsupported.
The deep philosophical implications of the "dragon branching" section lie in its exquisite grasp of the dialectical relationships between source and flow, unity and multiplicity, trunk and branches:
If the source is impure, the flow is unclear: If the Ancestor Mountain is not venerable, the Main Trunk lacks power; if the Main Trunk lacks power, the dragon branches scatter aimlessly. This echoes the thinking of the Great Learning that "things have roots and branches, affairs have beginnings and ends" — the quality of terminal elements in any system ultimately depends on the quality of the source and the unobstructed nature of the main channel.
"Forming a body" and "revealing a face" constitute the meaning of branch existence: If a branch lacks an independent "body," it merely serves as an appendage of the trunk, unable to assume independent functions; if it lacks the bearing of "revealing a face," then despite having a body, it remains inconspicuous, and vitality fails to manifest externally. This implicitly aligns with the Confucian ideal of "harmony without uniformity" — branches and trunk coexist harmoniously while preserving their unique identities.
"Guardians" reveal a simple truth: The growth of anything depends on environmental support and protection. The abundance and length of ridges determine whether the dragon vein "attains water and forms a configuration." This resonates with the modern ecological concept of "support systems" — organisms grow through symbiosis and shelter provided by other species within the community.
The metaphor of "good in-laws": The ancients compared the Ancestor Mountain and Main Trunk to "in-laws," entrusting a family's rise and fall to the quality of ancestral foundations. The deeper meaning of this metaphor lies in the recognition that — individual destiny is never isolated; it is embedded within a grander chain of causation and spatial structure. Respecting roots and prudently selecting foundations constitutes a profound spatial ethic that the ancients bequeathed to posterity.