撼龙经葬法倒杖·求四象

The Hàn Lóng Jīng: Burial Methods and Dao Zhang · Seeking the Four Xiang

Overall Paraphrase

The Four Xiang (Four Symbols) refer to four types of acupoint forms: Mai (vein), Xi (breath), Ku (hollow), and Tu (protrusion).

Mai (Vein), is a slight ridge-like elevation subtly revealed between the halo rings, belonging to the Lesser Yin (Shaoyin) symbol; Xi (Breath), is a form within the halo rings that appears faintly, as if present yet absent, belonging to the Lesser Yang (Shaoyang) symbol; Ku (Hollow), is a slight sunken cavity between the halo rings, belonging to the Greater Yin (Taiyin) symbol; Tu (Protrusion), is a slight bubble-like bulge between the halo rings, belonging to the Greater Yang (Taiyang) symbol.

Based on the Four Xiang to determine the burial position, there are correspondingly four burial methods: Mai acupoint should select the central position to establish the foundation; Xi acupoint should cut open and strip the surface layer to establish the foundation; Ku acupoint should build up soil to raise the foundation; Tu acupoint should chisel flat the protruding area to establish the foundation.

🧠 Deep Understanding

Core Concept 💡

This chapter reveals the most subtle form-recognition principles in Luantou point-selection (xuéfǎ). Ancient masters categorized the subtle micro-terrain changes within the halo ring around the acupoint into four basic forms—Mai, Xi, Ku, Tu—and unified them under the Four Xiang of Shaoyin, Shaoyang, Taiyin, and Taiyang. The core logic lies in:

• The waxing and waning of Yin and Yang determines the subtle differences in terrain undulation
• Taking form to derive symbolism, and symbolism to determine method, forming a complete operational chain of "observe form—discern symbol—apply method"
• Each of the four acupoint methods has targeted corrective measures, embodying the practical wisdom of "adapting to the form"

Modern Interpretation 🌟

In the contemporary context, "seeking acupoints through the Four Xiang" can be understood as an ancient methodology of micro-terrain classification and engineering adaptation:

At its core, this system is essentially a set of primitive foundation treatment technical specifications. Although the ancients used Yin-Yang qi theory as the theoretical shell, its inner substance is an empirical summary of building foundation treatment methods under different micro-terrain conditions, possessing a simple engineering rationality.

Practical Value ⚡

Modern applications can be reflected in the following levels:

• Micro-terrain identification of sites: When selecting a location, one must carefully observe subtle undulations within the site, not merely looking at macro features while ignoring details. A shallow ridge, a slight depression, or a small protrusion can all affect the stability and drainage direction of the foundation.
• Site-grading strategies adapted to local conditions: Facing different micro-terrains, corresponding treatment methods are adopted—taking the center for high points, cutting open for flat areas, filling for depressions, and chiseling flat for protrusions. This is essentially aligned with the "cut-and-fill balance" concept in modern site leveling.
• Drainage and moisture-proof considerations: Elevating Ku acupoints helps avoid water accumulation; leveling Tu acupoints helps prevent erosion by wind at protruding areas. These operations objectively improve the physical conditions of the living or burial environment.
• Hypothesis—Action—Review: The Four Xiang form-recognition can be used as a site survey checklist. Suppose a plot "resembles Ku"—one prioritizes drainage and elevation solutions; upon review, one verifies whether water accumulation or dampness issues occur, thereby continuously calibrating judgment.

Philosophical Reflection 🤔

The concept of the Four Xiang is deeply rooted in the "Two Modes (Yin and Yang) generate the Four Xiang" framework of the I Ching (Book of Changes). The distinction among Mai, Xi, Ku, and Tu is essentially a concrete illustration of the dialectical relationship that "within Yin there is Yang, and within Yang there is Yin":

• Mai is Lesser Yin—within Yin, Yang stirs faintly, hence a ridge line is about to rise but has not fully risen
• Xi is Lesser Yang—within Yang, Yin remains unsettled, hence the form appears ambiguous and elusive
• Ku is Greater Yin—Yin qi condenses to its extreme, hence a depression forms as a hollow
• Tu is Greater Yang—Yang qi surges to its extreme, hence it swells into a bubble

This suggests a universal cognitive method: no phenomenon possesses a single attribute; rather, each is a different manifestation of Yin-Yang proportions. This holds true at the macro scale and equally at the micro scale. The subtle changes within the halo ring of an acupoint are precisely the projection of the cosmic law of Yin-Yang waxing and waning at the smallest scale. The saying "one acupoint is one Taiji" is by no means empty words.

📚 Related Knowledge

Related Concepts

• Halo Ring (Point Halo): A faint boundary formed by the convergence of qi around the acupoint, serving as the key reference for determining the precise location of the point. The Four Xiang all occur "within the halo," indicating that one must first identify the halo, then distinguish the Four Xiang.
• Dao Zhang (Inverted Staff): A technical operation in Feng Shui point-selection, using an inverted staff to measure the depth, height, and orientation of the acupoint. "Seeking the Four Xiang" in this chapter belongs to the form-recognition stage of the Dao Zhang method.
• Lesser Yin, Lesser Yang, Greater Yin, Greater Yang: Derived from the I Ching's statement "The I has the Supreme Ultimate, which generates the Two Modes; the Two Modes generate the Four Xiang." Here, they are borrowed to provide precise grading of the four acupoint forms by degree of Yin-Yang.
• Acupoint Method (Xuéfǎ): The systematic methodology in Feng Shui for determining the precise position, orientation, depth of an "acupoint," and how to handle the acupoint site's form. Seeking acupoints through the Four Xiang constitutes the core content of the "form recognition" phase in the acupoint method.

Further Reading

• The Book of Burial (Zàng Shū) by Guo Pu: The theory of "harnessing living qi" provides the general framework for understanding the relationship between acupoints and qi veins.
• The Classic of Qing Nang (Qīngnáng Jīng): Addresses the fundamental principles of Yin-Yang transformation and the application of terrain forms.
• The Ode of Snow Heart (Xuě Xīn Fù): Provides further verse-based descriptions of acupoint forms, halo rings, and Mai-Xi-Ku-Tu.
• What a Geomancer Must Know (Dìlǐ Rénzǐ Xūzhī): A Ming-dynasty comprehensive feng shui work with detailed diagrams and examples of the Four Xiang acupoint methods.

Modern Research

• Geomorphology and feng shui acupoint site research: Contemporary scholars have analyzed traditional feng shui "acupoint site" classifications from a micro-geomorphology perspective, suggesting that Mai, Xi, Ku, and Tu correspond respectively to micro-convex slopes, gentle transition zones, shallow depressions, and small mound bulges—different geomorphic units that are identifiable in geomorphology.
• History of building foundation treatment techniques: From the perspective of architectural engineering history, the "taking center, cutting open, raising with soil, and chiseling flat" methods in the Four Xiang acupoint methodology show clear correspondence with traditional Chinese building foundation preparation techniques, reflecting the ancients' systematic synthesis of construction site engineering treatment.
• Modern philological annotation of feng shui texts: In recent years, annotation research on the Hàn Lóng Jīng has deepened progressively. Term examination and version comparison of the "Burial Methods and Dao Zhang" section have provided a more reliable textual basis for understanding the Four Xiang.