Loading...
Chapter 14 of 14
Meihua Yishu — Plum Blossom Divination
Overall Paraphrased Meaning
In the undivided chaos, the origin of the universe was concealed within the formless and shapeless Taiji 🌌; after heaven and earth were separated, all things manifested through patterns and forms. Thus, before events occur, their omens already appear, allowing us to perceive the essence and predict the future by observing appearances. When Cang Jie created characters, he drew inspiration from the patterns of clouds and the textures of tadpoles; when Confucius wrote, he selected appropriate principles for application. A single well-written character can be passed down for millennia; a minor flaw may remain unforgotten for ages. A nobleman’s character cannot be discerned without witnessing his brushstrokes, while a petty person’s intentions are revealed the moment they pick up a brush. The cycles of rise and fall change at their extreme; fortune and misfortune can connect with the divine through utmost sincerity. Writing as radiant as the autumn sun over rivers and lakes is sublime and unsurpassable; intentions as continuous as the molting of katydids are timely and appropriate. Thoughts of gain and generosity naturally manifest differently in writing; aspirations to transcend worldly vulgarity result in uniquely distinctive beginnings. As for mist and clouds, their gathering and dispersion are mysteriously unpredictable; wind, thunder, sun, and moon wax and wane with naturally innate artistry. Parrots and other birds are praised for their clever tongues; tigers and leopards are feared for their majestic might. What thrives vibrantly are crops and seedlings 🌾; what flows with the currents are rivers and seas 🌊. Fish leaping in deep waters signify an unstoppable eastward flow; kites soaring in the sky reflect the unchanging cycle of the setting sun and the four seasons. All beasts are viviparous, yet the qilin alone symbolizes auspiciousness; all birds can fly, yet only the phoenix’s virtue is deemed profound. The calls of birds vary in clamor, with distinctions in size and form; the sharpness and dullness of beasts differ in weight, clarity, and turbidity. Incense, flowers, lamps, and candles are especially suited for the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month; bells, chimes, drums, and gongs are uniquely heard at dawn and dusk. Drop by drop, tears stain the travel-worn garments of wanderers; layer by layer, the loving stitches of elders mend clothing. As for dogs, pigs, cattle, and sheep, they depart when scolded; chickens, fish, geese, and ducks are desired yet often unavailable. Fox, raccoon, and lamb fur are useless in summer; red stoves and black charcoal are cherished in winter. Deep forests and secluded gardens, silent at night—this sentiment is genuine; towers, pavilions, and halls, ever occupied—this logic is inevitable. Lutes, books, swords, and cases are essentials for scholars; fine furs and robust horses are shared among the ambitious. Ink faces the worry of gradual depletion; brushes suffer from the weakness of long preservation. Writing of a brush rest may evoke thoughts of Min Mountain; depicting an inkstone pool may symbolize sinking into a sea of melancholy. As if above, autumn arrives under a sky of brilliant moonlight; as if below, spring brings golden hues across the land. Strumming a pipa ultimately serves as a tool for expressing sorrow; playing a flute remains a means of expending energy. If clouds, rain, and mist obscure the sun, overcast skies may yet be auspicious; just as essence, energy, and spirit sustain the body, inquiries about illness may paradoxically signal misfortune. Clear waters flow swiftly, intentions as carefree as swimming fish; drifting smoke and faint seals evoke hearts lost amidst vast clouds and trees. When farmers write, lush grasses may signify insufficient harvests; when merchants inscribe, abundant threads may symbolize tangled transactions. Purple silks and golden seals need not be written without cause; snail-sized fame and fly-sized gain are recorded whenever they arise. Locks, bells, and impenetrable fortresses signify bearing national重任; feathers and shields are prayers for peace within the seas. Hanging brocade and raising sails promise favorable winds; spreading quilts and sprinkling bedding celebrate the joy of rain. Rituals, music, archery, charioteering, writing, and mathematics—if one skill is mastered, it suffices; filial piety, friendship, harmony, grace, and responsibility—if innate qualities align, all is well. Plants and trees thrive with rain, yet one must consider the climates of spring and autumn; sedans and horses travel near and far, yet one must observe the passage of cold and heat. Consider painted cakes and envisioned plums—how can they quench hunger or thirst? Mirror flowers and water moons—ultimately, they are emptiness. To understand the subtleties of character forms, contemplate the principles of this chapter.
(Note: Although this chapter does not include specific case studies of the Eight Characters, it deeply explains the core methodology of "observing phenomena to derive meanings" in Yi studies, providing a philosophical foundation for understanding the system of命理 symbols.)
Please translate the above content into English, maintaining the original format and structure.