Bagua Guide
The eight trigrams divide the feng shui compass into eight sectors, each with a direction, element, and life area.
The Eight Trigrams
The bagua (eight trigrams) divides the compass into eight sectors, each with a symbol, an element, and a domain of life it influences.
| Trigram | Name | Direction | Element | Governs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☰ | Qian | NW | Metal | Mentors, travel, heaven |
| ☵ | Kan | N | Water | Career, life path |
| ☶ | Gen | NE | Earth | Knowledge, stillness |
| ☳ | Zhen | E | Wood | Family, health |
| ☴ | Xun | SE | Wood | Wealth, abundance |
| ☲ | Li | S | Fire | Fame, recognition |
| ☷ | Kun | SW | Earth | Relationships, partnership |
| ☱ | Dui | W | Metal | Children, creativity |
The Later Heaven Arrangement
Feng shui uses the "Later Heaven" (King Wen) arrangement, in which the trigrams describe the cycle of energy through the seasons: Zhen (East, spring, rising wood) gives way to Xun, Li (South, summer, fire), Kun, Dui (West, autumn, metal), Qian, Kan (North, winter, water), and Gen. Your home's compass sectors inherit these associations.
Using the Bagua
Stand at your front door facing out and take a compass reading. Overlay the bagua on your floor plan with the facing direction at the top, and each room falls into a sector with its own element and meaning. The Flying Star chart refines this further, layering time onto space.