The numbers Seven and Eight, a numerological observation.

[surnevs]

The number Seven represents the Spiritual and round with its correlation to the 49 stalks of yarrow *)
The number Eight represents the Square with its correlation to the 64 hexagrams *)
The Upper Canon got 30 hexagrams and the Lower Canon got 34 hexagrams.
Subtracting the two initiating hexagrams ie. nr. 1 and 2 from the Upper canon we get 28 remaining hexagrams.
Subtracting the two concluding hexagrams ie. nr. 63 and 64 from the Lower canon we get 32 remaining hexagrams.
Dividing 28 by 7 we get 4 which can be compared with the four Seasons. (Seven being representative for Heaven)
Dividing 32 by 8 we get 4 which can be compared with the four Compass Directions ie South, West, North and East. (Eight being representative of Earth).
Just a numerological observation not thereby claiming this to be the reason for the unequal division of the 64 hexagrams.

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*) Wilhelm/Baynes, Book II, Sect. I, Ch. xi, § 2, pg. 316 in the 1968 ed. Routledge London

 

[my_key]

Dividing 32 by 8 we get 4 which can be compared with the four Compass Directions ie South, West, North and East. (Eight being representative of Earth).

The squareness of 8 (4 sides: N,S,E,W) also relates to the deeper representation of the square shape of mortar boards worn to this day by University graduates.

 

[surnevs]

- does anyone know how far back this tradition goes?

 

[my_key]

Ancient traditions dating from the times of the early initiates.
Black and square = 'earthly scholar'.
Round and white = 'heavenly master' (sage) and representative of 7 and the divine yarrow stalks (7x7).

 

[surnevs]

I know I've asked the question before (HERE) but can the origin of this viewpoint concerning the numbers seven and eight mentioned in the link here above (#1) be traced further back? I can only guess that Richard Wilhelm got it from his mentor/teacher Lao Nai-hsüan, mentioned in his book in its foreword, but I find it of interest to study further...

 

[Henry Zahir]

I know I've asked the question before (HERE) but can the origin of this viewpoint concerning the numbers seven and eight mentioned in the link here above (#1) be traced further back? I can only guess that Richard Wilhelm got it from his mentor/teacher Lao Nai-hsüan, mentioned in his book in its foreword, but I find it of interest to study further...

If you notice children count, they use the thumb to count the numbers, pointing at the fingertip of the rest of the fingers. there are 8 fingers without both thumbs. Each position (e.g thumb/index finger) has a spiritual significance seen in the mudras, simbolic hand gestures used in ancient hindu and buddhist cultures and religions. Its a fascinating topic, thank you for bringing it up.

 

[surnevs]

Ancient traditions dating from the times of the early initiates.
Black and square = 'earthly scholar'.
Round and white = 'heavenly master' (sage) and representative of 7 and the divine yarrow stalks (7x7).

As this tradition isn't present where I live I really can't relate to it but I find it interesting that this kind of "head-dress / costume/equipment" is worn by university scholars in the US (I've seen it in movies only)

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Though this image doesn't exactly fit with the headdress mentioned it reminds me of it. But if the tradition has anything to do with it ???

Concerning my "numerological observation" (#1) the "Cycle of sixty" in China (which occurs when the four hexagrams 1,2,63 and 64 get separated from the rest of the 64 hexagrams) can be traced back at least to the 27th century B.C. according to C.S.A. Williams' 'Chinese symbolism and art motifs', Not thereby claimed that this system has anything to do with counting the hexagram numbers three through 62 but only as I spotted a connection in letting the series of hexagram start with number three in the meaning that after everything came into existence due to Ch'ien and K'un it started with "Difficulties in the beginning" (hexagram 3). At Hexagram 63 it has reached its final stages in that Yang lines are placed at Yang-places (lines 1,3 and 5) and Yin lines are placed at Yin places (lines 2,4 and 6). From here it all starts over again from Hexagram 64 where the lines have been "displaced".

The best reason I've found so far as to why the 64 hexagrams are unequally parted I think Alfred Huang has given in his book 'The Complete I Ching'.

 

[my_key]

As this tradition isn't present where I live I really can't relate to it but I find it interesting that this kind of "head-dress / costume/equipment" is worn by university scholars in the US (I've seen it in movies only)

View attachment 5775
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Though this image doesn't exactly fit with the headdress mentioned it reminds me of it. But if the tradition has anything to do with it ???

Sorry, I thought this was a world-wide tradition. There are a number of explanations about mortarboards but the one I like is:
The mortarboard tradition is linked, in the west, to Stonemasonry way back in mediaeval times, or before. When graduating to the position of Master Mason, the traditional head wear of the times, the skullcap, was affixed to the symbolically significant everyday tool the stone mason used, his wooden mortarboard. (The skullcap is round, the board square)

This doesn't look much like a mortarboard on his head but may be a derivation of or an improved design of the 'Futou'. (usually just simple cloth tied on the head. Worn in all walks of life by all sorts of people, from emperor to commoner, priests to warriors and used in all sorts of settings from formal to informal settings.

The symbolism you are walking around with, as you are circling 7 and 8, is reminiscent of the symbology used by the Masons. They have a tradition of wearing clothes for symbolic messaging - squares and circles have significant roles for them too.

The best reason I've found so far as to why the 64 hexagrams are unequally parted I think Alfred Huang has given in his book 'The Complete I Ching'.

The 2 canons being representative of Tao of Heaven ( Upper Canon) and the Tao of Humanity ( Lower Canon) links nicely with 7 & 8. The 63 / 64 twist in the tail of the lower Canon ensures that the never ending dance between the two realms must continue.