The response of Master Hung HinCheong to our post Leaning Star Oral Secret, he wrote, “You're right. That ring's pedigree is suspect. Some Flying Stars schools don't use Replacement Stars at all, and I think that's the smart thing to do.”, caused us to think further. We dug up some of Hung’s writing – Water, Water Everywhere and there is a nugget or two for us to share here…

Hung wrote…

In many FengShui texts, classical and modern, a given facing is differentiated into "Central 正向" or "Marginal 表向", and each is treated differently.

In modern mathematical language, a facing is described as "Central" if it lies within a band of -±4.5° from the center-line of a Mountain on the LuoPan. For example, the center-line of Zi (子) is 0°. Hence any facing between 355.5° and 4.5° is said to be facing "Central" Zi (正子向). Another example: Gui (癸) is centered on 15°; any facing between 10.5° and 19.5° is described as facing "Central" Gui (正癸向). The total bandwidth of a "Central" facing is therefore 9°. Any facing outside that band is deemed to be a "Marginal" facing. To be more precise: Zi (子) is centered on 0°, and Gui (癸) is centered on 15°. Any facing in between 4.5° and 10.5° is called "Marginal" between Zi and Gui (子兼癸，癸兼子). The total bandwidth of a "Marginal" facing is 6°.

That of course is the modern definition, making use of the 360° compass ring at the periphery of the LuoPan disc. However, this ring was a relatively recent addition to the LuoPan. Before that, the definition of "Marginal" relied on the "240 Dragons Gold Divisions (二百四＋龍分金)", and the term "3-7 Gold Divisions (三七分金)" was often quoted. Some readers may have come across this term in their general reading.

As a matter of fact, the 6° bandwidth for "Marginal" was set conservatively. It allowed a generous margin for error, mindful that the LuoPan needle and markings were not very accurate in the old days. My own view is that we need not be so uptight about the prescribed margins. The underlying idea is to get away from the boundary line between 2 Mountains, and our modern LuoPan enables us to do that with greater confidence.

Hung wrote…

In a typical SanHe LuoPan, there are the 72-Dragons ring (also called a plate), one or more 60-Dragons rings; and one or two 120-Dragons rings. There is one other ring in this genre that is omitted on LuoPan other than out-sized ones (12-inch and above). This is the 240-Dragons ring, also called "240-Dragons Gold Divisions (二百四＋龍分金). As the name suggests, the ring is sub-divided into 240 fine divisions, with 10 divisions under each of the 24 Mountains.

This ring is used to assess the intensity of qi received from a particular Mountain for any given facing. A Mountain's Qi is strongest at its center-line, gradually reducing to zero at the center-line of the adjacent Mountain on either side. At the boundary between 2 Mountains, the qi split is 50-50.

If a given facing receives 70% or more of the qi from one Mountain, it is called a "Central facing (正向)". If the facing receives less than 70% qi from one Mountain (say, a 60-40 or 50-50 split between 2 adjacent Mountains), it is called a "Marginal facing (表向)”.

Today, the demarcation between "Central" and "Marginal" can be defined using the 360° compass ring at the periphery of the modern LuoPan, but this ring was a relatively recent addition; it was not available in the older LuoPan.

So do we still have to bother with the 240-Dragons when we have the modern 360° ring? That depends: no need if we just want to use the LuoPan without bothering with the underlying theory; yes if we want to broaden our FengShui knowledge. If one reads old texts or spends time surfing the FengShui websites, then familiarity with the "240-Dragons Gold Divisions" will provide a deeper insight into various discussions.

To analyze the 240-Dragons ring, let us straighten out 2 arc segments, each segment spanning 30°. The first segment is centered on Zi (子) with Ren（壬） at one end and Gui (癸) at the 4 others. The second segment is centered on Gui (癸) with Zi (子) at one end and Chou (丑) at the other. The segments overlap, and the fine divisions are graded with a numerical value rising from 0 to 10 and then falling back to 0.

The dashed lines 7-3 and 3-7 demarcate between "Central" and "Marginal" facings. The region between those 2 lines, marked by a hatched box, represents the "Marginal" band between Zi (子) and Gui (癸) Mountains. There are similar "Marginal" bands between Ren（壬） and Zi (子); and between Gui (癸) and Chou (丑).

The scale in maroon at the bottom denotes the modern 360° compass, whereby the center of Zi (子) Mountain corresponds to 0° Magnetic North. The "Marginal" band between Zi (子) and Gui (癸) would correspond with 7.5±3° on this scale.

One often sees the term "3-7 Gold Divisions also called "Plus Minus 3-7 (三七分金)", in FengShui books and websites. It really means nothing more the demarcations described above. Some people like to use complicated language to describe simple ideas.

Sometimes the term "2-8 Gold Divisions (二八分金)" or "Plus Minus 2-8 (二八加減)" also appears, often in the same breath as "3-7". When one compares the Earth Plate with the Heaven Plate, it will be seen that "3-7" on the Earth Plate is in fact the same line as "2-8" on the Heaven Plate, and vice versa. They are really one and the same thing.
​
According to Master Li Ding Xin (李定信), who was until recently the reigning Doyen of Yang Gong FengShui [He passed away in 2012, age 90], many FengShui writers, historical and modern, are confused and use the terms haphazardly. So the next time someone comes along brandishing jargon terms like "Plus Minus 3-7" and "Plus Minus 2-8", just ask him about the "240-Dragons".

This marginal degree of 3° at each extreme side closer to the boundary of the two mountains that made up the 6° are considered by some SanYuan  FeiXing as Replacement Star band. Any star that reside thereafter must be replaced by the set of new stars as represented in the Replacement Star Ring. Some school of XuanKong Purple White do not subscribe to this principle. Some school also do not agree with the version of the Replacement Star Ring used, currently at 28 varieties. 

This Replacement Star Ring is interesting. In total you will get the following sequence from the opposite mountains combined: -

1. 1+9=10, combination 10, 4 pairs.
2. 2-7, HeTu Fire, 5 pairs.
3. 6-6, same Qi, 3 pairs.

​The question is could this Ring tells you something beyond just the greatly misunderstood Kun Ren Yi?

For example, House sitting Gui 23 degree, facing Ding, Period 8. By conventional  Natal chart, you will get as in A. However, because 23 degree sitting very close to Chou, a Replacement Star may be necessary. Based on the Replacement Star Ring, Sitting Gui replacement shall be 1 replacing 4. Facing Ding replacement shall be 9 replacing 3. The new Replacement Natal chart shall look like B.

Contemplate this, ​quote from BengKung's wisdom saying, "The four formations, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood are further differentiated into Yin and Yang formations. Clockwise which is Yang, the direction is from Zi to Chou to Xu to Hai. Anti-clockwise which is Yin, the direction is from Wu to Si to Shen to Wei. Altogether there are 8 formations. 4 Yang and 4 Yin formations. Master Yang always stressed on the basic principle of Yin and Yang. YinYang is formless whereas CiXiong refers to Yin Yang with form. Interaction of CiXiong refers to the interaction between mountain and water. Xuan Kong refers to the Qi whether Sheng Qi (thriving) or Si Qi (Dead). The auspicious or inauspicious Qi from the In-Coming mountain or Out-Going water are related and are based on the 12 Qi phase. Whether it is male/Yang or female/Yin, it is derived from within the Gua. This is referring to the Yin and Yang of the 24 mountains. This is only given to inner disciples." 

Therefore, if you believe that the YinYang Earth Plate of the SanHe LuoPan Ring, as assigned by virtue of Early Heaven and NaJia is correct, you better think twice! The YinYang Earth Plate of the SanHe LuoPan Ring, as assigned by virtue of Early Heaven and NaJia ​is mainly used for RuDiYan's Assistant Star Water Method. 

"The concept of mountain (in-coming Qi) and water (out-going Qi) which is fundamental and must be understood clearly. Whether it is auspicious or inauspicious are all due to the mountain and water location in relation to the concept of the 12 Qi phase. The mountain here refers to In-Coming and water refers to Out-Going. A concept misinterpreted as actual mountain and actual water."

Do you know why the why the Five Ghost Carry Treasure aka Assistant Star Water Method cannot work? Placing "mountains" on LianZhen position? 

"To understand this methodology, it is all within the concept of the 5 elements. This concept refers to NaYin 5 elements which is established by the 72 dragons. It is not referring to NaJia which is a different concept. The five elements are allocated in the four directions with Wood in the East, Metal in the West, Water in the North and Fire in the South. It is also allocated in the 24 mountains. The concept of turning upside down 倒倒颠 refers to the 72 dragons, where there are five elements within each of the 24 mountains. With the concept of turning upside down, there are treasures within each of the 24 mountains. There are always three elements within the 24 mountains which is usable to match the in-coming Qi and water-mouth which is the out-going Qi. Forward and backward refers to the understanding of establishing the Yin or Yang formation. Without using the correct formation there is the likelihood of meeting with fire pits. Recognize the golden dragon is to establish the formation. Metal, Wood, Fire or Water. The location and the position in relation to the water mouth and the in-coming dragons are all different. (Endless possibilities) Moving or still refers to whether there is any Qi, whether it is strong Qi or weak Qi, whether it is auspicious or inauspicious Qi. Requires the teaching from a sage."

In fact, there are plenty of clues that RuDiYan may be a bridge between SanHe and SanYuan. Replacement Star and its corresponding central and marginal reading may not be that wrong after all, if we were to take the actual reasons of 3/7 and 2/8 as the measurement of Qi intensity accordingly and not for the account of inaccurate LuoPan readings. As for the validity of the Replacement Star Ring, it has been grossly misunderstood as part of Kun Ren Yi by Jiang DaHung. He distorted and explained these verses using XuanKong DaGua thus introducing the idea of combination to 10. Coupled with the variants from the SanHe proponent, you now have the 28 confusing versions. 

Most modern SanYuan LuoPan in the market has this ring inserted just after the 24 mountain "human plate" of the SanYuan LuoPan. This is one notorious ring that was believed to have been "invented" by Jiang DaHung and being used by the XuanKong Shen JuReng Flying Star school as - the Replacement Star Ring 替星盘. Obviously it is a result of Jiang DaHung's secret oral transmission that has been reflected as a Ring, called the Leaning Star Ring  挨星盘. Different subset school of SanYuan has different way to use the Leaning Star Ring  挨星盘. Unfortunately, Leaning Star Ring  挨星盘 itself has another 28 versions. Which one is TRUE?

During the old age of Jiang DaHung, he has the intention to settle down prior to his retirement. One of his disciple, Jiang YaoShi 姜垚時 gave him a large sum of money to build his retirement home. Due to his student's generosities, he return the favor by disclosing these 10 stanzas of Leaning Star. In the Shen JuReng's XuanKong Flying Star 沈竹礽飞星派 school, this is known as the Replacement Star 替星. It was also conveniently translated into SanYuan LuoPan ring just after the 24 mountains. 

Within the 28 versions of this Leaning Star verse, 2 distinctive version stood out: -

1. Kun Ren Yi, JuMen heads come out - coined by Jiang Dahung
2. Kun Ren Yi, WenQu heads come out - the original YangGong water structure​

May the real Mc Coy please stand up?

Unlike its counterpart SanHe, SanYuan leaning star means Yang - Lean Forward and Yin - Lean Backward. Leaning forward also means that the star in this case LoShu take the forward flight path and Leaning backward means the LoShu take a reverse flight path. This is how the SanYuan school intepreted the use of YinYang of the 24 mountain "Human" Plate of the SanYuan LuoPan. Therefore, they are also termed, Yin YangYang and Yang YinYin in arithmetical connotation such as +--, -++. Such is also magnified by Jiang DaHung when he commented in DiLi BianZhen as the followings: -

The static plate of Leaning Star comprising of the commonly known forward cycle and reverse cycle. The forward cycle starts from the Center 5 and continue with the sequence 6789 and follow by 1234. The illustration shown here is the forward cycle.
 
The reverse cycle starts from the Center 5 and take a reverse path with the sequence 4321 and follow by 9876. It is a reverse flow as shown by the following diagram.
 
Shen JuReng took this as his basis for Flying Star ie. odd Yang fly forward, even Yin fly reverse. Yin or Yang follows the YinYang Yang or YangYin Yin of the 24 mountains SanYuan One Ring LuoPan.
 
However, this is only the XuanKong method not SanYuan.

There is a SanYuan method for the Dynamic Plate. We called it dynamic because the 1st path that the star lean differed and not static. If you look carefully to the static plate reverse cycle, you will eventually realised that the 1st path of the star lean takes a total opposite of the 1st path the static plate forward cycle. As a result it looks as though the star leans backward like 5 4321 9876. But no. It is still a forward cycle with a different path of commencement.

It means to say, the first path that the central star leans can eventually be any of the 8 palaces within the LoShu grid and not necessarily Northwest. So, given the 8 directions, you will have 8 sets of Leaning Star as your natal chart. This is a SanYuan method of Leaning Star.

Next instalment - Dragon God

The above description is commonly found in Google. It defines in face value the 24 mountains of the SanYuan Earth Plate. More important it can be grouped and defined with its respective YinYang as the followings: - 

4 Graves, 4 Baths and 4 Stables are referred to the 12 growth phases. Stables are referred to Sickness or the Horse positions. The 4 Yang Stems and 4 Yin Stems together with the 4 Ordinal Gua complete the 24 mountains. 

Sometime back in YiFengshui since 2012 ...

… After all the heavy weights, let us come back to FengShui 101.

There are a few good books in English explaining about LuoPan, including the Compendium. However, it never dwell deep into the origin of YinYang of the 24 mountain plate of the so called, SanYuan LuoPan. It only prescribed that 24 mountain is further categorized into Heaven, Man and Earth subsector or Yuan Dragon in the manner of Yin-Yang-Yang or Yang-Yin-Yin configurations. Thereafter… nothing mentioned. To the ONE RING masters, especially from the Flying Star School, these Yin-Yang-Yang or Yang-Yang-Yin configurations are how the 9 stars “fly” forward or backward in the LoShu chart. Beyond that… nothing mentioned. So, before one worries about 明师盘线, loosely translated as Great Master’s LuoPan Line, emmm… what say if one try to find out, why do of the so called, SanYuan LuoPan has the YinYang configuration such as this?

Apparently the compendium of LuoPan is incomplete without the explanation as to where does the YinYang of the 24 mountains of the SanYuan LuoPan originated. We take for granted that it is always there in that fashion. How the PurpleWhite stars fly are all depends on its YinYang. That is already inaccurate. The Chinese source has more details. One common source is from the Shen's Classic (Shen JuRen 沈竹礽) stipulates that: -

All the Yang stems are Heaven numbers for example, HeTu heavenly number 1 takes Ren water Qi and therefore Yang in nature. Earthly 6 takes Gui water Qi and therefore Yin by nature. By the same token, Yin stems are Earth numbers and assigned Yin nature. Therefore, Jia Bing Geng Xin are all Heavenly Numbers Odd Yang in nature. Yi Ding Xin Gui are all Earthly Numbers Even Yin in nature. The same classic stipulates that all the Ordinal Trigrams namely Xun, Qian, Kun and Gen are all Yang in nature. The principle is annexed to the LoShu. Within the LoShu, there are HeTu. The ordinals take the following sequence:

Qian (6) and 1-6 HeTu water, 1+6=7, Odd number Yang nature.
Xun (4) and 9-4 HeTu metal, 9+4=13, Odd number Yang nature.
Kun (2) and 7-2 HeTu fire, 7+2=9, Odd number Yang nature.
Gen (8) and 3-8 HeTu wood, 3+8=11, Odd number Yang nature.

The branches are classify under the following groups:

1. The stable, Yin Si Shen Hai are the 4 beginning of every season. Their main Qi are respectively, Jia Bing Geng and Ren, the sub Qi are respectively Bing Geng Ren Jia with Wu in all the stables. These are all Yang stems. When each of the main Qi and sub Qi added up for each stables, it does not form combination of 10. Therefore they are Yang in nature.
2. The cardinals, Mao Wu You Zi are the middle of every season. Their main Qi are Yi Ding Xin and Gui respectively. All Yin stems. They forms combination of 10. Therefore they are Yin in nature.
3. The graveyards, Chen Wei Xu Chou are the end of every season. Their main Qi are either Wu or Ji earth. However their sub Qi are all Yin stems and therefore by virtue the graveyards are Yin in nature for its sub Qi are combination of 10 respectively.

Such is believed to have been the reasons behind the YinYang classification for the 24 mountain in the SanYuan Luopan. in reality, if you believe this is the true reason, your SanYuan applications are incomplete. Fact, YinYang does not stem from pure numerical permutations. They are the reflections of Heaven Man and Earth. Knowing thus you will understand what a SanYuan LuoPan is designed to measure. Without a throughout understanding of such, all the other Hexagram plates are nothing more then pure decorations.