Chinese Mathematical Astrology: Reaching out for the stars (Needham Research Institute Series)

Though there are a number of well-written works on Chinese divination, there are none that deal with the three sophisticated devices that were employed by the Chinese Astronomical Bureau in the eleventh century and for hundreds of years thereafter. Chinese experts applied the methods associated with these devices to both weather forecasting and to the interpretation of human affairs. Hidden by a veil of secrecy, these methods have always been relatively little known other than by their names. The first work in any language to explore these three methods, known as sanshi (three cosmic boards), this book sheds light on a topic which has been shrouded in mystery for centuries, having been kept secret for many years by the Chinese Astronomical Bureau. The Ability To Predict Has Always Been, And Remains, An Important Aim Of Science. In Traditional China, Astronomers Devised Methods Of Divination That Were Not Only Applied To Natural Events Such As Weather Forecasting, But Also To Mundane Human Affairs. The Three Most Sophisticated Devices Were Shrouded In Clouds Of Secrecy. During The Eleventh Century And For Hundreds Of Years Thereafter, Candidates Were Examined On Their Knowledge Of These Devices Behind The Closed Doors Of The Chinese Astronomical Bureau. Known By Little Other Than Their Names, This Is The First Book In Any Language That Attempts To Make An Academic Study Of The Three Methods, Known As The Sanshi (three Cosmic Boards), Which Turned Out To Have A Profound Influence On Chinese Society.--book Jacket. Ho Peng Yoke. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 179-192) And Index. BOOK COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 8 LIST OF FIGURES......Page 9 PREFACE......Page 12 REFERENCES TO HISTORICAL CHINESE GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES......Page 17 A BRIEF NOTE ON CHINESE ROMANIZATION......Page 23 1 INTRODUCTION......Page 28 2 FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES......Page 39 3 THE TAIYI SYSTEM IN THE THREE COSMIC BOARDS......Page 63 4 QIMEN DUNJIA......Page 110 5 LIUREN......Page 140 APPENDIX I TRADITIONAL CHINESE ASTROLOGY......Page 166 APPENDIX II THE ZIPING METHOD OF FATE-CALCULATION......Page 180 APPENDIX III TABLE OF CHINESE DYNASTIES......Page 192 NOTES......Page 194 BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 206 INDEX......Page 220