Feng Shui

What is a “Ming Gua”? Simply stated it is the type of qi that surrounds you. This qi is not you but it is that which helps protect you in your environment. This is important when assessing what areas are healthy for you.

The Ming Gua can be equated with its trigram counterpart. The 8 trigrams are located in their corresponding “palaces” or “guas” and in addition to having names, family relationship, element designation, physical areas (example: eyes, feet, hands) they are responsible for, and personalities, they have a numerical designation.

In Feng Shui we work with 9 numbers. There are eight trigrams. The number that is not assigned a trigram is the number 5. He is the emperor and actually resides in the center of the ba gua. If you are a male and your Ming Gua calculations add up to 5, then your Ming Gua will be assigned the number 2. If you are a female and your Ming Gua calculations add up to 5, then your Ming Gua will be the number 8.

When you are calculating your Ming Gua consider whether your birthday is before or after February 4. The Chinese Solar year uses 15 degrees Aquarius as the first day of the new year, which is on or around February 4. If you were born February 3-5 be sure to check your ephemeris for the exact date and time of 15 degrees Aquarius as it may vary.

The formula for calculating your Ming Gua is as follows:

Male

1. Add the numbers in your birth year. For example a male born in 1946 is 1 + 9 + 4 + 6 = 20

2. Add the total until you get a single number.
2 + 0 = 2

3. Subtract the number from 11.
11 � 2 = 9
(Note: if the number you get is 10 then add until you get a single digit number.) (Note 2: if the number you get is 5 then use number 2 as your Ming Gua.)
Female

1. Add the numbers in your birth year. For example a female born in 1946 is 1 + 9 + 4 + 6 = 20

2. Add the total until you get a single number
2 + 0 = 2

3. Add 4 to the total.
2 + 4 = 6

(Note: If you get a two-digit number, add them until you get a single-digit number.) (Note 2: If you get a 5 use 8 as your Ming Gua.)

Great! Now you have your Ming Gua number. What does it mean?

As I stated earlier, your Ming Gua is the type of qi that surrounds you. It is not �you�, however. Your Ming Gua will tell you which trigram and its associations you relate to the best, how each of the eight magnetic directions impact you, and help you understand interactions with others based on the five element interactions.

Although the information below is not exhaustive, it will get you started in the correct manner to best utilize your space. The Best Directions are listed from most effective to next best effective.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
1 Kan Ears, Blood Water Black, Wavy
Kidneys ,Liver Dark Blue
Best Personal Direction for Sleeping is with your head to the North. Other good directions are East, South or Southeast. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face Southeast, South, or East.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
2 Abdomen Earth Brown, Square
Belly, Womb, Yellow, Tan
Reproductive Organs

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the Southwest, West, Northwest, or Northeast. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face Northeast, Northwest, West, or Southwest.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
3 Chen Feet, Throat Wood Green Rectangle

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the East, North, Southeast, or South. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face South, Southeast, North, or East.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
4 Xun Thighs, Hips Wood Dark Green Rectangle
Buttocks

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping is with your head to the Southeast, South, East, or North. Best Personal Directions for Working is to face North, East, South, or Southeast.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
6 Chien Head, Mind Metal Gold, Silver Round
Lungs White, Bronze

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, or West. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face West, Southwest, Northeast, or Northwest.
Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
7 Tui Mouth Metal Gold, Silver Round
White, Bronze

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are West, Southwest, Northeast, or Northwest. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, or West.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
8 Gen Hands, Spine Earth Brown, Square
Small Bones Yellow, Tan

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are Northeast, Northwest, West, or Southwest. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face Southwest, West, Northwest, or Northeast.

Ming Gua Trigram Physical Element Color Shape
9 Li Eyes, Heart Fire Red, Purple Triangle

Best Personal Directions for Sleeping are South, Southeast, North, or East. Best Personal Directions for Working are to face East, North, Southeast, or South.

About the Author and Permission

Copyright 2006 by Judy Morris. http://www.fsrc.net/