Detailed explanation of Tui Bei Tu: Tui Bei Tu with annotations by Jin Shengtan in vernacular Chinese (Part 1)

"Tui Bei Tu" is the first amazing book of prophecy in China. It is said to be written by Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang, two famous astronomers in the Tang Dynasty. Jin Shengtan, a famous writer and literary critic in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, annotated "The Book of Changes". Next, please read the vernacular version of Tui Bei Tu with annotations by Jin Shengtan (Part 1).

Tui Bei Tu (Book of Changes) with annotations by Jin Shengtan (Part 1)

The First Xiang Jia Zi (Opening Chapter on Cycles)

Prophecy

The boundless universe knows no end, the sun and the moon cycle over and over again

Song of Praise

From Pangu to Xiyi, the fight between tiger and dragon was a strange thing. He realized the true meaning of cycle and tried it in the Tang Dynasty to discuss the origin of the mechanism.

Jin Shengtan's annotation: This symbolizes the succession of order and chaos in ancient and modern times, like the alternation of the sun and the moon, and the succession of yin and yang. It is the meaning of Confucius that can be understood by hundreds of generations. The red one is the sun, and the white one is the moon. With the sun and the moon, day and night are formed. With day and night, cold and heat are distinguished. With cold and heat, the calendar is determined. With the calendar, systems are divided. With systems, rise and fall are seen.

Detailed explanation in vernacular: The first image is an introduction, and the corresponding last image, the 60th, is a conclusion. Neither image needs to be interpreted in detail. "Recurring cycle" and "tiger fights dragon" both refer to the subsequent changes of dynasties.

The second symbol is Yichou (the fate of the Tang Dynasty)

Prophecy

The fruits are so numerous that it is hard to count them. One fruit and one kernel are both new and old.

Song of Praise

All things are born from the earth. The 29th is the first to become fruitful. The Central Plains is unified. Yin is strong and Yang is exhausted first.

Jin Shengtan's annotation: The plate of fruits refers to plums, and there are twenty-one of them, representing the twenty-one rulers from Emperor Gaozu of Tang to Emperor Zhaoxuan. The 29 refers to the 289th year of the Tang Dynasty. The one with strong Yin refers to the time when Wu Mingkong was in power, his licentiousness, chaos and administration almost endangered the Tang Dynasty. Although the reign of Kaiyuan was comparable to that of Zhenguan, the imperial concubine brought disaster upon herself, the emperor moved away, female favorites rose in prominence, and Xia Di succeeded her, which was also a sign of the dominance of yin.

Detailed explanation in vernacular Chinese: The second image is an overview of the entire Tang Dynasty, which lasted for 289 years and had 21 emperors. "One fruit, one person" means "one fruit, one person", there are 21 fruits in total, which means there are 21 emperors in total.