HeTu: A Mathematical Code from the Formation of the Milky Way
Historical Origins
The origins of HeTu are ancient, often believed to date back to prehistoric times, though the exact date cannot be confirmed. Based on Chinese historical records and legends, it is generally thought that HeTu was discovered by Fu Xi, the legendary ancestor of Chinese civilization. According to the legend, Fu Xi saw a dragon-horse carrying HeTu along the Yellow River (China’s “mother river”) and, upon observing it, gained profound insights.
HeTu’s origins are typically traced to the Neolithic periods of the Yangshao or Longshan cultures (around 5,000 to 7,000 years ago).
Cultural Significance and Structure
The content of HeTu seems quite simple, but in Chinese culture, it is referred to as the “wordless heavenly book,” symbolizing profound philosophical principles. At its core, HeTu embodies the unity of numbers and symbols, and the interaction of yin and yang.
The diagram consists of a number grid arranged in a sequence that represents the distribution of cosmic energy in relation to the Earth. This energy is symbolized by a black-and-white dot array representing the numbers 1 to 10.
Numbers and Yin-Yang Five Elements
The arrangement is made up of five groups of odd and even numbers, with each group corresponding to one of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth):
- Odd numbers (yang) are represented by white dots
- Even numbers (yin) are represented by black dots
The sequence of numbers symbolizes the yin-yang balance, the Five Elements’ interactions (generating and overcoming each other), and the cosmic order.
Poetic Verse and Wisdom
In a way similar to other Chinese classics, HeTu also includes a poetic verse, offering a higher wisdom for future generations to reflect upon. The verse reads:
Heaven (1) produces Water, and Earth (6) nurtures it.
Earth (2) generates Fire, and Heaven (7) perfects it.
Heaven (3) produces Wood, and Earth (8) nurtures it.
Earth (4) produces Metal, and Heaven (9) perfects it.
Heaven (5) produces Earth, and Earth (10) perfects it.
This verse links the cosmic forces, illustrating how they flow and interact in harmony, ultimately forming the fundamental principles that govern nature and the universe.
河圖：源自銀河系形成的數學密碼
歷史淵源
河圖的起源極為古老，通常被認為可追溯至史前時代，儘管確切年代無法考證。根據中國歷史記載和傳說，一般認為河圖是由中華文明的傳說始祖伏羲所發現。相傳伏羲在黃河（中國的”母親河”）邊看到龍馬背負河圖出現，觀察後獲得了深刻的啟示。
河圖的起源通常可追溯至仰韶文化或龍山文化的新石器時代（約5,000至7,000年前）。
河圖的內容看似簡單，但在中國文化中被稱為”無字天書”，象徵著深刻的哲學原理。其核心體現了數與象的統一，以及陰陽的相互作用。
該圖由一個數字網格組成，按一定順序排列，代表宇宙能量相對於地球的分佈。這種能量由代表數字1到10的黑白點陣象徵。
數字與陰陽五行
排列由五組奇偶數字組成，每組對應五行之一（金、木、水、火、土）：
- 奇數（陽）以白點表示
- 偶數（陰）以黑點表示
數字序列象徵陰陽平衡、五行相生相剋以及宇宙秩序。
詩句與智慧
與其他中國經典類似，河圖也包含詩句，為後世提供更高的智慧以供反思。詩句如下：
天一生水，地六成之；
地二生火，天七成之；
天三生木，地八成之；
地四生金，天九成之；
天五生土，地十成之。
這詩句連接了宇宙力量，闡明它們如何和諧流動和相互作用，最終形成了支配自然和宇宙的基本原理。