(336) Time and numbers

By Janet Shin

Western epistemology considers them very important by saying that all objects and even our own selves can only be cognized through time and space. Time, above all, is regarded as continuous and eternal whereas only our presence, nature and things are changing within it. The cognition of time, therefore, is such an important priority that makes our awareness of all objects and the universe including our own beings possible.

In Oriental philosophy, the word universe is translated not only as a spatial but a temporal concept. ‘U-ju (宇宙)’ literally stands for both the change of time (Ju) and directionality including up and down (U). Yin, yang and the five elements are the conceptual tools to comprehend the principles of their changes and structures. Accordingly the study of the Great Void and generation of the world including all creation are the uppermost themes in human philosophy.

A great legacy was found in a book, written by Shao Yong (1011-1077), a Chinese philosopher and cosmologist during the Song Dynasty. In his book, Huangji Jingshi (Book of supreme world ordering principles), he tried to interpret the process of how the universe and world run by the order of numbers. We may learn very interesting thoughts of an ancient sage regarding how they read time, which is quite different from what we conceive nowadays, but still highly meaningful. According to his theory, numbers, their combinations and orders are the primary law to cause space evolution.

Regarding cosmic revolution, the four heavenly times consist of won (元), hoe (會), un (運) and sae (世) while those of earthly times are sae (歲), wol (月), il (日) and sin (辰). The latter is more widely known as years, months, days and hours, which are sequentially associated with the heavenly times.

As per this theory, Heaven and Earth would be reborn once they complete the cycle of 1 won, which is 129,600 years. He tried to understand and explain the continuation of cosmic revolution by numbers and the same applied to human affairs.

The 12 months are characterized by the 12 zodiac signs: rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. What we know now about time is merely a micro concept; 1 year refers to 12 months, 1 month is 30 days, 1 day is 12 hours. Meanwhile we must study the macro concept of time in order to understand the magnificent transitional process of the universe. By alternating the calculation of 12 and 30, we can achieve the calendar of the universe, or the macro concept of time. Ultimately, 1 won (129,600 years) is a colossal cycle of cosmic time and this created ancient people’s view of history and their fatalism.

Our knowledge has been advanced owing to the development of science and we indeed achieved a lot by this. Our outlook on the world has proven to be a great success of human ability by conquering nature and exploring the universe. Nevertheless, humans are easily frustrated by failure and have a hard time getting over it. According to the macroscopic viewpoint as built by ancient people, nothing lasts forever as what we see and experience is just a transitory thing.

Are you interested in learning more about the

ancient Chinese teachings, the “Four Pillars of

Destiny” and Oriental ways of fortunetelling or

fortunetellers? Janet teaches saju for the public

at Seoul National University of Education. For further

information, visit Janet’s website at

www.sajufortuneteller.modoo.at or her blog,

https://blog.naver.com/janet_shin. You can also

contact her at 010-5414-7461 or email janetshin@

hotmail.com. The writer is the author of

“Life’s Secrets.”