Chinese divining blocks and the “pat kwa” or eight-sided diagram
This short note by W. G. Stirling describes the physical form and ritual use of Chinese divining blocks and explains the structure and symbolism of the “Pat Kwa” or eight-sided diagram (p. 72).
The note begins by describing the divining blocks as pairs of kidney-shaped bamboo root pieces used in temple worship: the worshipper passes them through incense smoke, poses a yes-or-no question, and throws them to read the answer from their landing position—both convex (“Yin”) or both flat (“Yang”) indicating a negative, while one of each indicating an affirmative (p. 72). Stirling then turns to the Pat Kwa, a diagram divided into eight sections of three lines each, based on the Yin and Yang principle, and notes its widespread use as a protective charm over doors, on geomancers’ compasses, and in priestly robes (p. 72). He lists the eight trigrams with their compass directions and symbolic meanings, and records the legend that the diagram was revealed to Fuh Hi in B.C. 2850 on the back of a tortoise (p. 73).