5.3 Chinese In The '5'th Dimension

In the '5'th dimension of awareness, the 3 (of the Tao) gave rise to all that exists. With awareness of the '5'th dimension, the '4'th dimension subdivided into '2' perpetually, without end, into all that exists. The '5'th dimension symbolizes an integrated awareness of '4' subdivisions into '2'. The number '2' with '4' subdivisions can be symbolized mathematically as '2⁴'. The value of 2⁴ is '16'. In the '5'th dimension, there is an integrated awareness of all subdivisions of '1'. The values of the subdivisions of '1' are '2', '4', '8', and '16'. The '4'th subdivision of the unity of the Tao was the subdivision of '4' into '5' fingers, which enables counting to '5', '12', '28', and '60'; there are '5' fingers, '12' is one half times 16 + 8, '28' is one times 16 + 8 + 4, and '60' is two times 16 + 8 + 4 + 2. '60' is also '5 x 12'.

Therefore, the '3' counting cycles of the fifth dimension are '5', '12', and '28'. With these numbers, it became possible to integrate the cycle of the day with the cycle of the month with the cycle of the year into the cycle of the life of each generation of mankind. The five dimensional awareness of the volume of the year enabled awareness of perpetuation, the perpetuation of time, the perpetuation of space, the perpetuation of people, the perpetuation of crops, etc.

The '28' count cycle is Yang. It is used as '1' (Yang) system, by itself. The numbers '5' and '12' are a subdivided (Yin) counting system, as each is only used on one hand when the other hand is using the other system. Of '5' and '12', '5' is odd (Yang) and '12' is even (Yin); together they make up a cycle of '60' (5 x 12 = 60). Because the '28' counting system is Yang, it is formless, and people only symbolically counted in this way. The counting system of '5' and '12' is Yin, it has form, and was a well known counting system.

Yang: '28'

How is the number '28' used to subdivide the '5' dimensional cycle of the year? Four dimensional awareness is awareness of the 'area' of the sky and the earth. In the fifth dimension, this four dimensional area became a five dimensional 'volume'. The five dimensional cycle of perpetuation requires awareness of the cycle of the year, and this requires awareness of the stars. The stars do not occupy '1' point on the ecliptic, but many points along a segment of the ecliptic. The stars do not occupy only the point that crosses the ecliptic, but a segment of points before and after the ecliptic. As well, stars cross segments of the sky from the ecliptic to the earth. These '3' segments symbolize a volume. Each of the '28' constellations that the Chinese recognize along their 'ecliptic' symbolizes a volume of the sky that extends from the north pole to the south pole, from the highest point in the sky to the earth, and 1/28 of the ecliptic over the course of the year.

In the ancient Chinese calendar, the yearly cycle of the sun was subdivided into '28' stages. (In less ancient times, this system was replaced by a subdivision of the year of the Chinese lunar calendar into '24' stages.) Each of these constellations rises 1/365th of the sky earlier each day than the day before. For example, a constellation that rises today at 9:00 a.m. will later rise at 8:00 a.m., then at 7:00 a.m., etc. At one point in the year, the constellation will rise just before sunrise. This will be the first time in a while that the constellation can be seen, as it previously rose after the sunrise and so could not be seen. When a constellation was seen just before sunrise, and then the sun would rise, the sun would thus 'be in' that constellation, and the year would begin a new '28'th of the year. The right hand points to the east (Yang), and indicates the current 'house', , of the sun (Yang) in the year (Yang).

It is not clear whether the left hand would perhaps indicate the constellation that is currently at the point of the south, or perhaps symbolize the house where the moon crosses the point of the south.

The number '28' is such a large number of distinctions that it would be difficult to actually hold the fingers up to the sky to subdivide the sky. As well, not all of the constellations appear every night. Just as each constellation symbolizes a volume of time, it requires a volume of time to symbolize the time on the fingers. No longer were the finger signs based on pointing to part of the sky, just as, for example, five dimensional nouns no longer point to any visible object in nature. In the fifth dimension, it became possible not to be looking through the fingers in order to be aware of the fingers. It became possible to look at the sky, symbolize the time on the fingers, and then go somewhere and show a person the time without that person having to do it himself.

It took time, a volume of time, after observing the sky to prepare the finger sign. It might only take a few seconds to symbolize the time. However, the sign came to have value for increasing volumes of time. Minutes later, the sign could be shown to another person, who could make use of the sign. As the length of time, the size of the volume, that a sign had value increased, this led to more permanent recording of the sign. This more permanent form of recording is known as 'writing'. Originally, writing was done temporarily on the ground or other less permanent medium, but eventually came to use bone, paper, or other more permanent medium.

How do the fingers count to '28'? In the '2'nd dimension, the thumb was in motion in one direction, the uni-directional ray. In the '3'rd (Yang) dimension, the thumb was in motion in two directions, along the bi-directional horizontal (Yang) segment of the index finger. In the '4'th (Yin) dimension, the thumb interacted with the fingers along a vertical (Yin) area of fingers. In the '5'th dimension, the thumb is perpetually in motion over a volume of fingers, and moves left and right, top and bottom, and forward and rearward.

In the '5'th (Yang) dimension, both hands can be active at '1' (Yang) time. As well, both fingers in each pair can be active at '1' time. The finger that is closed actively (Yang) holds itself still (Yin). The '2' bones of the thumb are free to further interact with the '3' bones of the extended finger. While each finger when extended moves upward and downward, the thumb moves left and right, up and down, and forward and rearward. This motion in a '5' dimensional volume of space enables awareness of perpetuation of all cycles of nature. Not only could everything be active at one time, but they could stay active afterwards while the person is doing other things.

There are '14' bones on the '5' fingers of each hand. As each bone has a Yang and a Yin position, there are '28' finger positions for each hand. The count to '28' can be subdivided into '4' groups of '7', as the thumb interacts '7' times with each of the '4' fingers as it moves over a volume of space for a volume of time. In order to count to '28' in time, stand as for orienting to time in the '2'nd, '3'rd, and '4'th dimensions. Only the right hand will be described here, as the right (Yin) hand is '1'st (Yang) when counting time (Yin). The left hand will be counted symmetrically to this.

The '1'st finger to count is the little finger, as it is the most Yin finger. The '2'nd finger is the middle finger, which is also Yin. The '3'rd finger to count is the ring finger, which is Yang, but which is Yin to the index finger. The '4'th finger to count is the most Yang finger, the index finger. For the fingers that are Yin, the thumb begins Yang. For the fingers that are Yang, the thumb begins Yin.

In the '1'st stage in the cycle of each finger, the thumb interacts with (holds down) either the near (distal is now Yin) bone or the far (middle is now Yang) bone. For the count of '1', the thumb is Yang, and interacts with the middle (Yang) bone of the little (Yin) finger. For the count of '8', the thumb interacts with the middle (Yang) bone of the middle (Yin) finger. For the count of '15', the thumb interacts with the distal (Yin) bone of the ring (Yang) finger. For the count of '22', the thumb interacts with the distal (Yin) bone of the index (Yang) finger. (Photo 5.3-1)

Photo 5.3-1

As the little finger is Yin, it becomes active (Yang) for the count of '2' by extending the finger downward (Yin) and by extending the bones in '2' (Yin) directions, which point rearward (Yin) and downward (Yin). The bones of the Yang thumb point in '1' (Yang) direction, and the thumb extends far (Yang) to touch the top (Yang) outside (Yang) of the distal (Yang) bone. (Photo 5.3-2)

Photo 5.3-2

For the count of '3', the thumb touches the top (Yang) outside (Yang) of the proximal (Yin) bone of the little finger. The bones of the little finger are now extended in '1' (Yang) direction, as the Yin bones of the finger extend to Yang, and the bones of the thumb point in '2' (Yin) directions. (Photo 5.3-3)

Photo 5.3-3

For the count of '4', the bones of the little finger and the thumb extend in '1' (Yang) direction, as the thumb touches the top (Yang) outside (Yang) of the middle bone. (Photo 5.3-4)

Photo 5.3-4

Now begins the '2'nd (Yin) half of the cycle of the little finger. The thumb becomes Yin and the finger becomes Yang. The thumb touches the inside (Yin) bottom (Yin) part of the little finger. The little finger, which is now Yang, extends upward (Yang), and touches above (Yang to) the thumb.

For the count of '5', the bones of the little finger point in '1' (Yang) direction, and the bones of the thumb point in '2' (Yin) directions and touch the proximal (Yin) bone of the little finger. (Photo 5.3-5)

Photo 5.3-5

For the count of '6', the bones of the little finger point in '2' (Yin) directions, and the bones of the thumb point in '1' (Yang) direction and touch the distal (Yang) bone of the little finger. (Photo 5.3-6)

Photo 5.3-6

For the count of '7', the bones of the little finger and the thumb extend in '1' (Yang) direction, as the thumb touches the bottom (Yin) inside (Yin) part of the middle bone. (Photo 5.3-7)

Photo 5.3-7

As the little finger moves upward and downward, the thumb touches above and below, forward and rearward, and left and right of the finger.

The pattern for the middle finger, which counts from '15' to '21' is identical to the little finger. The pattern for the ring finger, which counts from '8' to '14' is symmetrical to the little finger. The pattern for the index finger, which counts from '22' to '28' is identical to the ring finger.

Yin: '5' (Yang) & '12' (Yin)

In contrast to the Yang system of counting to '28' is the Yin system of counting to '5' (Yang) and '12' (Yin). Although modern counting systems are based on base '10', in ancient times there were two counting systems, base '5' and base '12'. (For example, English originally oriented to base '12'. After the first '12' numbers, the 'teens' begin with '13', there are '12' objects in a 'dozen', there are '12' inches in a 'foot', etc.)

As there are two major objects in the sky that are used to measure time, the sun (Yang) and the moon (Yin), the ancient Chinese naturally developed a Yang system of counting and a Yin system of counting. The Yang system, which was used to measure the '2' (Yin) cycles of the sun, was a base '5' system, as '5' is an odd (Yang) number, and the Yin system, which was used to measure the '1' (Yang) cycle of the moon, was a base '12' system, as '12' is an even (Yin) number.

The base '5' system is known in Chinese as the 'Trunks of Heaven', . 'Heaven' refers to the Yang nature of this system, and 'trunks' symbolizes 'tree trunks', as each of the '5' fingers on each of the '2' hands symbolizes a tree trunk. In the base '5' system, each of the fingers is counted whole, and undivided (Yang).

The Yin system is known in Chinese as the 'Branches of Earth', . 'Earth' refers to the Yin nature of this system, and 'branches' symbolizes 'tree branches', as each of the '8' trunks of the hands, the fingers that are used with this system, can be subdivided into '3' bones, or branches. In the base '12' system, each of the fingers is subdivided (Yin).

The base '5' system has ten names, one for each of the ten fingers. However, this is not a decimal system. It was never the case that both hands would count in the base '5' system at the same time, just as both hands would never count using the base '12' system at the same time. Each finger had a name in the base '5' system, which identified both the Yang/Yin nature of the finger as well as which of the five fingers. In this manner, when a Yang finger of one hand is combined with a Yin bone of the other hand, the Yin bones do not need 24 names, as the Yang finger names clearly identifies it as Yang or Yin.

When the left (Yang) hand counts using the base '5' (Yang) system, the flow is the same as that used to count '4' fingers in the '4'th dimension. The index finger is followed by the ring finger, followed by the middle finger, followed by the little finger. The '5'th finger is the thumb. The thumb completes the hand, and completes the Yang cycle. (Photo 5.3-8)

Photo 5.3-8

How does the right (Yin) hand count using the base '5' (Yang) system? Although the right hand is counting to '5', using the base '5' (Yang) system, it is counting on the right (Yin) hand, and it only does this to count the Yin cycle of time (the month). Therefore, the '5' (Yang) are counted as '6' (Yin) on the right (Yin) hand. As this is counted with the Yin hand, the cycle can be subdivided into '2' (Yin) halves. The count begins with the little finger, and then continues with the middle finger. This '1'st (Yang) half of the cycle ends with the thumb. As this is the Yin hand, the thumb is Yin in the '1'st (Yang) half of the cycle. The bones of the thumb point in '2' (Yin) directions, and the thumb points rearward (Yin) and downward (Yin). (Photo 5.3-9)

Photo 5.3-9

The '2'nd (Yin) half of the cycle begins with the ring finger, followed by the index finger. The '6'th finger is again the thumb, which is Yang this '2'nd (Yin) time. The bones of the thumb point in '1' (Yang) direction, and the thumb points outward (Yang). (Photo 5.3-10)

Photo 5.3-10

When the left (Yang) hand counts using the base '12' (Yin) system, the thumb counts '1' (Yang) on the index (Yang) finger, as the index finger is of the top (Yang) pair of fingers. The '1'st (Yang) bone is the distal (Yang) bone. The number '2' (Yin) is counted on the proximal (Yin) bone, and then '3' (Yang) is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yang the '1'st (Yang) time that it is counted.

The ring finger is counted '2'nd (Yin), as the ring finger is the top (Yang) finger of the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers. The count of '4' (Yin) begins with the thumb touching the proximal (Yin) bone. The number '5' (Yang) is counted on the distal (Yang) bone, and then '6' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yin the '2'nd (Yin) time that it is counted.

The middle finger is counted '3'rd (Yang), as the middle finger is the bottom (Yin) finger of the top (Yang) pair of fingers. The count of '7' (Yang) begins with the thumb touching the distal (Yang) bone. The number '8' (Yin) is counted on the proximal (Yin) bone, and then '9' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yang the '3'rd (Yang) time that it is counted.

The little finger is counted '4'th (Yin), as the little finger is the bottom (Yin) finger of the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers. The count of '10' (Yin) begins with the thumb touching the proximal (Yin) bone. The number '11' (Yang) is counted on the distal (Yang) bone, and then '12' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yin the '4'th (Yin) time that it is counted. (Photo 5.3-11)

Photo 5.3-11

When the right (Yin) hand counts using the base '12' (Yin) system, the thumb counts '1' (Yang) on the little (Yin) finger, as the little finger is the bottom (Yin) finger of the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers. The '1'st (Yang) bone is the proximal (Yin) bone. The number '2' (Yin) is counted on the distal (Yang) bone, and then '3' (Yang) is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yin the '1'st (Yang) time that it is counted.

The middle finger is counted '2'nd (Yin), as the middle finger is the bottom (Yin) finger of the top (Yang) pair of fingers. The count of '4' (Yin) begins with the thumb touching the distal (Yang) bone. The number '5' (Yang) is counted on the proximal (Yin) bone, and then '6' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yang the '2'nd (Yin) time that it is counted.

The ring finger is counted '3'rd (Yang), as the ring finger is the top (Yang) finger of the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers. The count of '7' (Yang) begins with the thumb touching the proximal (Yin) bone. The number '8' (Yin) is counted on the distal (Yang) bone, and then '9' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yin the '3'rd (Yang) time that it is counted.

The index finger is counted '4'th (Yin), as the index finger is the top (Yang) finger of the top (Yang) pair of fingers. The count of '10' (Yin) begins with the thumb touching the distal (Yang) bone. The number '11' (Yang) is counted on the proximal (Yin) bone, and then '12' is counted on the middle bone. The middle bone is Yang the '4'th (Yin) time that it is counted. (Photo 5.3-12)

Photo 5.3-12

In all cases, with the left (Yang) hand the Yang pair of fingers begins with the distal (Yang) bone, and end with the middle bone, which is also Yang, and the Yin pair of fingers begins with the proximal (Yin) bone, and end with the middle bone, which is also Yin. The right (Yin) hand is symmetrical to this.

Perpetuation Of Time

As the Chinese language orients to the world in such a way that enables awareness of '5' dimensions, it is 'natural' that all cycles of time and space be recognized in terms of a '5' stage cycle of interrelating distinctions.

To the ancient Chinese, all of the fundamental cycles of time were recognized as existing in a cycle of '5' stages. The first cycle of time is the day. The day was subdivided into '12' parts, or 'hours'. The hours are counted using the '12' (Yin) system of counting on the right (Yin) hand.

The days progress into the second cycle of time, the month. The month encompasses so many days that an intermediate cycle was recognized, the week. Based on the pattern of '5' stages, days were grouped by counting the fingers of the left (Yang) hand, one day for each of the '5' fingers of the hand, into a '5' day week. Thus, at one time, the two hands could present a finger sign to symbolize the day of the week and the hour of the day. As the day is a Yang cycle, the left (Yang) hand symbolizes the day of the week. There were '5' (Yang) days per week. The right (Yin) hand symbolizes the hour of the day, and there are '12' (Yin) hours per day. Photo 5.3-13 demonstrates the position of the fingers to symbolize the first hour of the first day of the week.

Photo 5.3-13

The ancient Chinese month was composed of approximately '6' five-day weeks. The months progress into the third cycle of time, the year. There are approximately '12' months in a year. At one time, the two hands can present a finger sign to symbolize both the month and the week of the month. As the month is a Yin cycle, Yin is Yang, and the left (Yang) hand symbolizes the month (Yin). The left (Yang) hand counts through the '12' bones of the hand to symbolize the month (Yin). The right (Yin) hand symbolizes the week (Yang) of the month (Yin). Because the right (Yin) hand counts using the base '5' (Yang) system, the right (Yin) hand counts to '6'. Photo 5.3-14 demonstrates the position of the fingers to symbolize the second week of the second month of the year.

Photo 5.3-14

The year encompasses so many months that an intermediate cycle was recognized, the 'season'. The year is recognized to consist of '5' seasons.

Given their awareness of a '5'th dimension of time and space, it was natural that the ancient Chinese discover a fourth cycle of time. The years progress into the fourth cycle of time, the natural life span of mankind. The four cycles of time symbolize '5' distinctions in time, with each distinction occupying the time required for one revolution of the planet Jupiter around the sun, approximately '12' years. As 5 x 12 = 60, this is a '60' year cycle. At one time, the two hands could present a finger sign to symbolize which cycle of Jupiter and the year within the cycle. As the year is a Yang cycle, the left (Yang) hand symbolizes the cycle of Jupiter (Yang). There were '5' (Yang) cycles of Jupiter in one '60' year cycle. The right (Yin) hand symbolizes the number of the year within the cycle. The right (Yin) hand symbolizes the year, and there are '12' (Yin) years per cycle of Jupiter. Photo 5.3-15 demonstrates the position of the fingers to symbolize the twenty-first year of the sixty year cycle, which is the ninth year of the second cycle of twelve.

Photo 5.3-15

Thus, the cycle of '5' integrates all of the cycles of time, and connects the entire counting of time from one person's life to the next, such that three sets of finger signs can precisely symbolize the year within a person's life, the month of the year, the week of the month, the day of the week, and the hour of the day. Even today, it would be hard to convey so much information so concisely, particularly without using writing.

Perpetuation Of Space

In the same way as time, the Chinese language recognizes the cycles of space to establish a world where things exist in five dimensions; the point, the uni-directional ray segment, the bi-directional line segment, the area, and the volume. The entire known volume of space, the world, was naturally recognized to consist of '5' directions (east, south, center, west, north).

This pattern of '5' was recognized as the number of stages in the integrated, infinite cycles of all relationships of nature. All of nature seemed to the ancient Chinese to fit well into this pattern, as it happens that there are '5' fingers on each hand, '5' toes on each foot, '5' holes on the front of the face, '5' planets visible in the night sky, etc.

Naturally, there were recognized to exist '5' conditions of weather (hot, cold, wet, dry, wind), and '5' tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, spicy), etc. As well, there were recognized to exist '5' 'elements', or building blocks of matter (wood, fire, earth, metal, water).

The '5' Elements

The '5' elements symbolize the '5' dimensions of space-time. The organization and interaction of the '5' elements was extremely important to science in ancient China. It is equally important today to people who practice traditional forms of science in China, such as traditional Chinese medicine. (Western medicine is also prevalent in modern China.)

Modern textbooks on medicine, for example, use a written symbol to symbolize the relationship and interactions among the '5' elements. Let us examine relationships among the fingers in order to understand the evolution of this symbol.

How are the '5' elements symbolized on the '5' fingers? The flow of the '5' (Yang) fingers in the Yang counting system is index finger, ring finger, middle finger, little finger, thumb. The index and middle fingers form the top (Yang) pair of fingers, and the ring and little fingers form the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers. The top (Yang) finger of each pair symbolizes Yang, and the bottom (Yin) finger of each pair symbolizes Yin.

The index finger is the topmost finger, and so symbolizes the most Yang element, wood, . The ring finger is Yang, but is Yang to the little finger, and so symbolizes Yang within Yin, and symbolizes the element fire, . The thumb is the '3'rd of the '3' (Yang) elements that symbolize Yang, as it is the '5'th (Yang) finger, and symbolizes earth, . Earth symbolizes both Yang and Yin, as was seen in the Chinese counting of '6' weeks; the '1'st (Yang) time it symbolizes Yang, and the '2'nd (Yin) time it symbolizes Yin. The middle finger is '4'th, as it is Yin, but it is Yang to the little finger, and symbolizes the element metal,. (This is the character for 'gold', which is the symbolic metal.) The little finger is the bottommost (most Yin) finger, and symbolizes the most Yin element, water, .     

Each of the '5' elements is involved in each of '5' interactions. There are '4' cycles of interaction, as a cycle, upon interacting with '1' element, can flow toward each of '4' others. As an example, Figure 5.3-1 shows how element '1' can flow into (interact with) element '2', '3', '4', or '5'. Element '1' can also interact with itself, in a '5'th interaction, but this is not part of a cycle.

Figure 5.3-1

The '4' cycles symbolize Yang and Yin, wherein Yin is further subdivided into Yang and Yin. As the '1'st '2' cycles are the primary cycles, and symbolize the forms of interaction, they determine the form of the written symbol.

There are '2' primary cycles, which symbolize Yang and Yin. There are '2' hands, which also symbolize Yang and Yin. The left (Yang) hand symbolizes the Yang cycle of interaction, and the right (Yin) hand symbolizes the Yin cycle of interaction.

Let us begin with the Yang cycle of interaction. Position the left (Yang) arm and hand vertically, such that the fingertips touch the ground (or paper). Position the '1'st (Yang) finger, the index finger, upward (Yang), at the top of the paper. The thumb is to the right, and the other fingers are to the left. The fingers are equally spaced, such that the little finger is to the right of the index finger, near the thumb. Draw a point where each fingertip touches the paper. (Figure 5.3-2)

Figure 5.3-2

The Yang interaction of the left (Yang) hand symbolizes increase (Yang). Each element causes the element that comes '1'st (Yang) after it to increase, or grow (Yang). Let us follow the flow of growth (Yang) in the Yang cycle of interaction. The '1'st finger, the index finger, symbolizes wood. The next finger is not the middle finger, which is Yin, but is the ring finger, which is Yang. Connect the point that symbolizes the index finger to the point that symbolizes the ring finger. (Figure 5.3-3(1)) The next finger is not the little finger, which is Yin, but is the thumb, which is Yang. Connect the point that symbolizes the ring finger to the point that symbolizes the thumb. (Figure 5.3-3(2)) The next finger is not the index finger, which is Yin the '2'nd (Yin) time, but is the middle finger, which is Yang the '2'nd (Yin) time. Connect the point that symbolizes the thumb to the point that symbolizes the middle finger. (Figure 5.3-3(3)) The next finger is not the ring finger, which is Yin the '2'nd (Yin) time, but is the little finger, which is Yang the '2'nd (Yin) time. Connect the point that symbolizes the middle finger to the point that symbolizes the little finger. (Figure 5.3-3(4)) The next finger is not the thumb, which is Yin the '2'nd (Yin) time, but is the next finger, the index finger. Connect the point that symbolizes the little finger to the point that symbolizes the index finger. (Figure 5.3-3(5)) The cycle has completed, and has returned to the beginning.

Figure 5.3-3

This is the Yang cycle of interaction. Each element causes the next element to grow (Yang), in the cyclic order wood, fire, earth, metal, water. This can be thought of metaphorically as 'wood fuels fire', 'fire clears (dead matter that covers) the earth', the 'earth houses metal', 'metal can serve as container for water', and 'water enables wood to grow'.

Let us now consider the Yin cycle of interaction. Position the right (Yin) arm and hand vertically, such that the fingertips touch the ground (or paper). Position the '1'st (Yang) finger, the index finger, upward (Yang), at the top of the paper. The thumb is to the left, and the other fingers are to the right. The fingers are equally spaced, such that the little finger is to the left of the index finger, near the thumb. Draw a point where each fingertip touches the paper. (Figure 5.3-4)

Figure 5.3-4

The Yin interaction of the right (Yin) hand symbolizes decrease (Yin). Each element causes the element that comes '2'nd (Yin) after it to decrease (Yin). Let us follow the flow of decrease (Yin) in the Yin cycle of interaction. The '1'st finger, the index finger, symbolizes wood. As with the Yang cycle, the next finger is the ring finger, and the '2'nd finger is the thumb. Connect the point that symbolizes the index finger to the point that symbolizes the thumb. (Figure 5.3-5(1)) The next finger is the middle finger, and the '2'nd finger is the little finger. Connect the point that symbolizes the thumb to the point that symbolizes the little finger. (Figure 5.3-5(2)) The next finger is the index finger, and the '2'nd finger is the ring finger. Connect the point that symbolizes the little finger to the point that symbolizes the ring finger. (Figure 5.3-5(3)) The next finger is the thumb, and the '2'nd finger is the middle finger. Connect the point that symbolizes the ring finger to the point that symbolizes the middle finger. (Figure 5.3-5(4)) The next finger is the little finger, and the '2'nd finger is the index finger. Connect the point that symbolizes the middle finger to the point that symbolizes the index finger. (Figure 5.3-5(5)) The cycle has completed, and has returned to the beginning.

Figure 5.3-5

This is the Yin cycle of interaction. Each element causes the next element in the cycle to decrease (Yin), in the cyclic order wood, earth, water, fire, metal. This can be thought of metaphorically as 'wood covers earth', 'earth absorbs water', 'water quenches fire', 'fire melts metal', and 'metal cuts wood'.

The Yang cycle is now symbolized by a star, which flows to the left (Yang), and the Yin cycle is symbolized by a circle, which flows to the right (Yin). (Figure 5.3-6) To form '1' (Yang) symbol of the '2' (Yin) cycles, the symbols must be merged. As will be explained in Section 6.2, writing is Yin. To create a written symbol, rotate the star about its vertical (Yin) axis, whereupon the star can overlay the circle with the points of the circle coinciding with the points of the star. (Figure 5.3-7)

Figure 5.3-6

Figure 5.3-7

Yang must now become Yin and Yin must now become Yang. In other words, the symbol must be altered such that the circle symbolizes increase (Yang) and the star symbolizes decrease (Yin). The reason for this is that the fingers are positioned on the hand in the order Yang (thumb), Yang (index), Yin (middle), Yang (ring), Yin little). However, languages do not write numbers in this order. Numbers are not written in the order '5', '1', '3', '2', '4'.

Just as each person (Yin) is born at birth, and just as each new moon (Yin) is born in the east, the east is '1'st (Yang), and is positioned at the top (Yang) of the symbol. The east is symbolized by the index finger, and symbolizes wood. Wood is Yang. Wood (such as trees) spreads (Yang) everywhere, wood grows (motion is Yang), wood is above (Yang) the ground, and wood rises (Yang) upward.

Once born, each person grows strong (Yang), just as each moon rises high (Yang) in the sky in the south, and so the south is '2'nd. The south is symbolized by the ring finger, and symbolizes fire. Fire is Yang. Fire rises (Yang), and fire spreads (Yang).

Just as the growth of each person stabilizes at midlife, and just as the moon reaches a point where it neither increases or decreases, at the full moon, the center is '3'rd. The center is symbolized by the thumb, and symbolizes earth.

Just as each person then begins to decline (Yin), and just as the moon begins to fall (Yin) until it sets in the west, the west is '4'th. The west is symbolized by the middle finger, and symbolizes metal. Metal is Yin. Metal is located below (Yin to) the ground. Metal does not grow (no motion is Yin). Metal is rare (Yin), and is not located everywhere (Yin).

Just as each person dies, just as each moon dies, the north is '5'th. The north is symbolized by the little finger, and symbolizes water. Water is Yin. Water falls (Yin) as rain, it falls everywhere in space (more space = Yin).

Once again is the earth, the center, the source of perpetuation of a new generation of mankind and a new generation of the moon. The center symbolizes both Yang and Yin. The earth is at the 'center' of the forces of nature. Wood (Yang) and fire (Yang) rise above (Yang) the earth, metal (Yin) is below (Yin to) the earth, and water (Yin) falls (Yin) to the earth. The earth gives birth (Yang) to wood (Yang), and is the place of death (Yin) of metal (Yin). The earth is the source (Yang) of fire (Yang), and is the end (Yin) of the fall (Yin) of water (Yin).

This modern form of the written symbol for the interactions of the '5' elements is shown in Figure 5.3-8.

Figure 5.3-8

'5' Dimensional Symbol Of The Tao

Figure 5.3-9 is the symbol of Taoism. This is the symbol of the Tao. This symbol is called the 'Tai-Ji', . ('Tai-Ji' is pronounced 'tie g'. Although this is now spelled 'tai ji' in China, other, older spellings, such as 'Tai Chi', are more common in English.) The name 'Tai-Ji' is difficult to translate into English, but one translation is 'the great singularity'. (This is a synonym for 'the unity'.) Figure 5.3-9 is the most popular symbol in use today. Figure 5.3-10 is a more ancient symbol of the Tai-Ji, and more clearly symbolizes the '5' dimensions.

Figure 5.3-9 Figure 5.3-10

As a viewer looks increasingly deeply at this symbol of the '5' dimensional pattern of nature, there can be observed in the symbol '5' increasing levels of distinction. Each level of distinction in the symbol of the Tao symbolizes one of the '5' dimensions.

The unity of the '1'st dimension is the entire '1' symbol, which is in the shape of a circle. The circle is the four dimensional shape that has '1' side. In English as well, the circle is used as the symbol of unity. For example, the circle is used as the symbol for zero ('0') to symbolize zero distinctions, or 'unity'.

Because space is Yang in Chinese, the symbol of the '5' (Yang) dimensional cycle of nature resembles the four dimensional symbol of space. In order to symbolize the Tai-Ji using the hands, stand facing the south. Hold the hands before the face, such that the hands are vertical (Yin), with the index (Yang) finger at the top (Yang) and the little (Yin) finger at the bottom (Yin), and such that the fingers are horizontal (Yang), with each finger of the left hand at the same level as each finger of the right hand. Spread the fingers apart one inch. Shift the left (Yang) hand upward (Yang) one half inch. Move both hands inward (Yin) as far as possible, such that the fingers become interlaced, and each finger reaches the palm of the other hand. Rotate the hands a few degrees counterclockwise. In this manner, the fingers of the left (Yang) hand will point slightly upward (Yang), and the fingers of the right (Yin) hand will point slightly downward (Yin). The interlaced hands form half of a sphere, which occupies a five dimensional volume of space. For now, look at the hands as though looking at the symbol of the Tao on a four dimensional piece of paper. The interlaced hands form '1' symbol, a symbol of the '1'st dimension. Within the hands can be 'seen' a circle, which symbolizes the one dimensional 'point'. (Photo 5.3-16)

Photo 5.3-16

The subdivision of the '2'nd dimension is symbolized by a subdivision of the unity of the circle into '2' distinctions, white (light, Yang) and black (darkness, Yin). Each bone of each finger is symbolized by the color that is used to symbolize it in the four dimensional symbol of time; those bones that are symbolized in the four dimensional symbol of space by a unified (Yang) segment are symbolized by white (Yang), and those bones that are symbolized by a subdivided (Yin) segment are symbolized by black (Yin). (Photo 5.3-17) Light (Yang) is on the left (Yang), and flows in '1' direction toward darkness (Yin), on the right (Yin), symbolizing the '2' dimensional 'ray'.

Photo 5.3-17

Why does the written symbol for the Tai-Ji appear as a smooth flow between white and black, whereas the fingers in this photo do not? The reason is that in this photo each finger as a unit is symbolized by white or black, but in nature there never occurs Yang without Yin or Yin without Yang. Each bone can be further subdivided into Yang and Yin. Yin grows as Yang declines, and Yang grows as Yin declines. Each finger bone is not completely Yang or completely Yin, but is part of the overall symmetric flow from Yang into Yin and from Yin into Yang, and so the Tai-Ji symbol appears as a smooth transition between white (Yang) and black (Yin).

The subdivision of the '3'rd dimension symbolizes a bi-directional segment. The white (Yang) appears to move upward (Yang) along the left (Yang) side of the circle, and then moves downward (Yin) along the right (Yin) side. The black (Yin) appears to move downward (Yin) along the right (Yin) side of the circle, and then moves upward (Yang) along the left (Yang) side. Both Yang and Yin flow in '2' directions in the circle, symbolizing the '3' dimensional 'segment'.

The subdivision of the '4'th dimension is symbolized by the unequal distribution of white and black in the circle. There is more white (Yang) on the left (Yang) and more black (Yin) on the right (Yin). As well, there is more white (Yang) at the top (Yang) and more black (Yin) at the bottom (Yin). The left and right and top and bottom, these '4' distinctions, symbolize the evolution of Yang into Yin and Yin into Yang over the '8' distinctions of the '4'th dimension, symbolizing the '4' dimensional 'area'.

The subdivision of the '5'th dimension is symbolized by the 'area' of the '4'th dimension evolving into the 'volume' of the '5'th dimension. Notice that the fingers form the shape of a five dimensional volume, one half of a sphere, and not the shape of a four dimensional circle. The white dot amidst the sea of black and the black dot amidst the sea of white are known in Chinese as 'eyes'. Just as the eyes on 'my' face are located behind (Yin to) the tip of 'my' nose, the thumbs are positioned inward (Yin) to the '4' dimensional area that is symbolized by the piece of paper and by my other fingers. (Photo 5.3-18)

Photo 5.3-18

With the thumbs placed in this position, the hands complete the formation of a sphere, which occupies a five dimensional volume of space. These eyes that are above the area of the symbol symbolize 'my' eyes, the eyes of the viewer. The thumb of the left (Yang) hand points slightly upward (Yang), and the thumb of the right (Yin) hand points slightly downward (Yin). In this way, the left thumb overlays the distal bone of the right middle finger, and the right thumb overlays the distal bone of the left ring finger. These two bones are symbolized by a different color than their surroundings, and symbolize Yang within Yin and Yin within Yang. The middle finger symbolizes Yin within Yang (as the middle finger is the lower (Yin) finger within the upper (Yang) pair of fingers), and the left eye is black (Yin) within a sea of white (Yang). The ring finger symbolizes Yang within Yin, and the right eye is white (Yang) within a sea of black (Yin). The eyes are symbolized by white in an area of black and by black in an area of white, symbolizing that there is always Yang within Yin and Yin within Yang.

The Tao symbol symbolizes 'me' standing facing the south (Yang) before (Yang to) 'me', where 'I' see a '4' dimensional area of interaction among objects that does not include 'me'. The four dimensional symbol of the Tao symbolizes five dimensions, as the 'eyes' of the four dimensional symbol symbolize the thumbs, and thus symbolize the five dimensional volume that is symbolized by the hands.