Images

In Chinese Medicine we use images all the time, and mainly because it represents concepts that are comparable. By using images in learning herbal formulas it gives us an easy way to remember how a formula works.

We can classify herbal formulas and herbs according to:

Directions

North, South, East, West, Center

Colors

Black, Red, Blue Green, White, Yellow

Elements

Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, and Earth 

We can also use hexagrams or trigrams.

卦 gua

Hexagrams (卦 gua) are the fundamental symbols of the I Ching (Yijing), the Classic of Change.

Each hexagram is made of six horizontal lines, stacked from bottom to top.

• A solid line (—) represents Yang (transformation, active, firm, creative).
• A broken line (– –) represents Yin (nurturing, receptive, yielding, open).

Because each of the six lines can be either Yin or Yang, there are 64 possible combinations.

Together they represent all possible forms of natural phenomena.  

Structure

Each hexagram consists of:

• A lower trigram (three lines)
• An upper trigram (three lines)

These trigrams combine forces of Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Water, Mountain, Wind, Fire, and Lake, creating dynamic symbolic situations.

Meaning

Hexagrams are not static symbols, they describe:

• A moment in time
• A pattern of change
• A relationship of forces
• A stage in a process

Each hexagram in the I Ching includes:

• A name
• A short Judgment text
• An Image commentary
• Line statements for each of the six lines (which describe stages of development)

In essence, a hexagram is a map of transformation, a picture or image of how Yin and Yang interact within a given situation.

Hexagram 11 is named 泰 (tài), "Pervading", “smooth going", "peace" and "greatness". Its inner (lower) trigram is ☰ (乾 qián) force = (天) heaven, and its outer (upper) trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth.

This arrangement might seem counterintuitive since Heaven appears to be supporting Earth from below. However, this configuration is considered highly auspicious because it represents the intimate intercourse and interaction between Heaven and Earth, which is essential for growth and harmony. 

When Heaven is above Earth (as in Hexagram 12), they exist separately without interaction, which is considered unfavorable. 

In hexagrams the bottom lines are coming up which dictates how the changes will occur.

The hexagram symbolizes:

Peace and prosperity - a time when things flow smoothly

The small departing, the great arriving - positive change

Harmony between the merging of the Heavenly Yang and the Earthly Yin

The herbal formula of si ni tang can be described with the hexagram 11 Peace.

Si Ni Tang

zhi gan cao 2 Liang gan jiang 1.5 Liang sheng fu zi 1 piece 

Line 323 When the pulse is floating but slow, and there is fever on the surface but cold in the interior, with downpour of clear and grains, si ni tang governs.

Si ni tang is the representative formula for Shao yin Yang deficiency.

Zhi gan cao is prepared licorice root that is stir fried with honey. The stir frying increases the warming nature of gan cao, and the honey adds sweetness. 

Zhi gan cao is Yang in that it tonifies the function of Earth. Zhi gan cao is Yin in that it nourishes Yin fluids and Blood. Traditionally zhi gan cao is considered the only herb that can tonify and nourish the Heart and Fire Element. 

Zhi gan cao corresponds with the top part of hexagram 11 Peace in that it represents Earth. It corresponds with the bottom part of hexagram 11 Peace in that it tonifies and nourishes Fire. Fire corresponds with Heaven. 

Heaven represents the functional aspect of Yang and Fire represents how Yang manifest in all living things. 

Gan jiang is Yang in that it warms and gathers the Earth. Gan jiang creates an axis around which the Fire and Water, Wood and Metal revolve. 

Gan jiang corresponds to the top part of hexagram 11 Peace in that restores the function of Earth by bringing dryness to cold and dampness. 

Gan jiang corresponds to the bottom part of hexagram 11 Peace in that it is Fire in Earth. 

Fu zi is Yang in that it warms and moves Earth. Earth is a combination of Earth and Water. For without Water there is no life possible. 

Fu zi corresponds to the bottom part of hexagram 11 Peace in that it is Heaven in Earth. 

In modern clinic processed zhi fu zi is used starting at 15 grams.

All three herbs combine to restore the harmony of the interaction of Fire and Water, Heaven and Earth.

We do not see the clinical image of si ni tang very often, it is a serious disease that if left untreated could lead to death. It is the image of Peace in hexagram 11 that reminds us what we need to do to restore balance.