(116) Lee Young-hee, a national symbol of liberal intellectualism

Former Hanyang University Professor Lee Young-hee died last Sunday at the age of 81. He was an intellectual activist, liberal thinker, journalism, scholar, pro-democrat and author of the well-known book ``The Logic of Transition Period.’’

His life was filled with a constant resistance against anti-intellectualism and anti-democracy, resulting in his subsequent arrest and multiple imprisonments. ``Fortitude’’ is the word that best represents Lee, and he himself was the epitome of modern Korean history. He was an ideological leader during the pro-democracy movements of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and only regretted that his young followers had to endure difficult paths in order to hear him.

The rising youth read his words focused on the troubles of the world and societal problems, but were able to find clarity in his ideas and answers on how to survive during an era of anti-democracy.

Coincidentally, I read his saju in one of my classes last month ― one week before Lee’s death. It was my student who brought the saju reading to me, without telling me to whom it belonged. The lesson focused on studying the 12 stages of life, in terms of saju theory.

At first glance, I sighed deeply, because the saju before me was full of adversities, as indicated by the clashes and deaths among the branches and stems of the saju.

All of the heavenly stems were sitting on ``death’’ places, except for his knowledge star, and the branches clashed against each other, portraying the conflict between power and his reading.

For a moment, I was speechless.

Looking back on it now, it was fateful that we studied Lee’s saju just before his death ― experiencing the anguish of such a difficult life and admiring the unyielding faith his reading showed.

I’d like to pay my deepest respects to Lee and hope that he finds peaceful repose.

Here is his saju.

Lee was born with the energy of yin metal. Yin metal represents knives or jewelry, which are identified by their sharpness and firmness. Yin metal people are moderate, strict and calm. They may have warmth in their inner personalities, but they can be curt and aggressive when they need to be. Additionally, people with yin metal do not express these traits extrovertly, as those with yang metal do, but they are more rigid and straight in their methods.

Born in the month of yin water, Lee had innate talents to express his abilities. However, this expression star (water) clashed with his career star (fire), on both sides. The career star stands for power and government.

Each of the branches in his saju were ``active’’ letters, which means ``live’’ places, in terms of saju theory. These letters initiate new energies that may be fierce and foresee the future. Accordingly, the clashes among these live places can lead to severe conflicts and suffering.

Those with live letters in their branches are few and far between, but those who possess the traits undergo hardships and are unable to enjoy stable lives.

Now looking at the heavenly stems in terms of the 12 stage life cycles, both the yin metal day master and wood in the month stem sit on a ``death’’ place. The death place represents many problems and challenges in relationships. Only the knowledge star of the year stem (earth) is in the prime cycle, which represents fame, ownership and leadership. The prime cycle also denotes a great probability for success, which is derived from confidence and a sense of adventure.

Unfortunately, this year ― year of metal and wood ― stimulated the yin fire, activating the misfortune of the metal stem (death place). On the other hand, it also heated the fortune of the earth stem (prime place). In this case, the metal stands for Lee, while the earth is his reputation.

It is unfortunate that Lee passed away this year, but his ideology and actions will live on in the people’s hearts.

Info: Are you interested in learning more about the ancient Chinese teachings of the “Four Pillars of Destiny”? Saju, or the Four Pillars of Destiny, and face reading workshops will be held this month in Itaewon, central Seoul. For more information, contact Janet at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@hotmail.com.

The writer is the president of the Heavenly Garden, a saju research center in Korea, and the author of “Learning Four Pillars.” Visit www.fourpillarskorea.com.