Lianshan & The Three Systems of Changes (連山三易): Decoding Lianshan Yi, Guizang Yi & Zhouyi from the Zhouli Taibu Canon to Classical Feng Shui & Divination
The definitive international compendium reconstructing the Three Systems of Changes (San Yi Zhi Fa 三易之法) from the Rites of Zhou, the Book of Rites, the 1993 Wangjiatai Qin bamboo slips, the Mawangdui silk manuscripts, and Master Ung Khiem's San Yuan Xuan Kong Da Gua lineage.
🧭 Executive Summary: Core Pillars of the Three Systems of Changes
- The Canonical Law of the Rites of Zhou: According to Zhouli · Chun Guan · Taibu (周禮·春官·太卜), the Grand Diviner of the royal court governed the laws of the Three Systems of Changes (San Yi Zhi Fa 三易之法): first, Lianshan (連山); second, Guizang (歸藏); third, Zhouyi (周易). All three share the exact binary geometry: “Their foundational trigrams are 8 in each, and their multiplied hexagrams are 64 in each” (其經卦皆八，其別皆六十有四).
- The Triad of Sovereign Opening Hexagrams (Gen · Kun · Qian): The fundamental distinction among the Three Changes lies in their First Sovereign Hexagram (Shou Gua 首卦): Lianshan Yi opens with Pure Gen (☶ ䷳, Mountain), representing the Human Realm (Ren Yuan) and tangible landform anatomy; Guizang Yi opens with Pure Kun (☷ ䷁, Earth), representing the Earth Realm (Di Yuan) and the subterranean treasury of primordial Qi; Zhouyi opens with Pure Qian (☰ ䷀, Heaven) and Pure Kun, representing the Heaven Realm (Tian Yuan) and dynamic temporal change.
- Astronomical Synchronization with the Three Royal Calendars (San Zheng): The Three Changes map onto the three astronomical New Year points on the 12-Branch ecliptic ring: the Zhou Calendar builds on Zi (11th month, Winter Solstice, One Yang reborn in Hexagram Fu ䷗) → Zhouyi opens with Qian; the Shang Calendar builds on Chou (12th month, Major Cold, Yang stored beneath frozen soil in Hexagram Lin ䷒) → Guizang opens with Kun; the Xia Calendar builds on Yin (1st month, Start of Spring at the Northeast Gen Palace, balanced in Hexagram Tai ䷊) → Lianshan opens with Gen.
- Archaeological Proof from the Wangjiatai Bamboo Slips (1993): More than 800 bamboo slips excavated from Qin Tomb No. 15 at Wangjiatai (Jiangling, Hubei, pre-278 BC) recovered 54 hexagrams of the pre-Qin Guizang Yi written in numeric 7 and 8 symbols, matching Tang-dynasty citations word for word and refuting centuries of historical skepticism.
- Unified Application in Feng Shui & Tri-System Divination: In Master Ung Khiem's system, the Three Changes unlock the full architecture of Classical San Yuan Feng Shui (Chapter 06) and Tri-System Integrated Divination & Medical Yi (Chapter 07), uniting the static 7-8 matrix of Lianshan and Guizang with the dynamic 9-6 transformations of Zhouyi.
Section 1: The Zhouli · Taibu Canon & the Historical Reality of the Three Changes
Classical canons speak with precision. For more than two thousand years since Emperor Wu of Han canonized the Five Confucian Classics in 136 BC, the term I Ching (Book of Changes) has been popularly conflated with the Zhouyi (周易) alone. Yet when we open the oldest administrative constitution of pre-imperial China, the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli · Chun Guan · Taibu 周禮·春官·太卜), we find an unambiguous legal statute: the supreme divination bureau of the royal court operated not one, but Three Systems of Changes (San Yi Zhi Fa 三易之法).
「太卜掌三易之灋：一曰《連山》，二曰《歸藏》，三曰《周易》。其經卦皆八，其別皆六十有四。」 Tai Bu zhang San Yi zhi fa: yi yue Lianshan, er yue Guizang, san yue Zhouyi. Qi jing gua jie ba, qi bie jie liushi you si.“The Grand Diviner governs the laws of the Three Systems of Changes: the first is called Lianshan (Continuous Mountains); the second is called Guizang (Returning to Store); the third is called Zhouyi (Changes of Zhou). In each of the three systems, the foundational trigrams (Jing Gua) are eight, and their multiplied hexagrams (Bie Gua) are sixty-four.”
Rites of Zhou · Ministry of Spring · Grand Diviner (周禮·春官·太卜)
These twenty-nine characters establish the bedrock of classical I Ching scholarship (examined in full detail in Chapter 01: Overview of the Three Changes). As the Eastern Han exegete Zheng Xuan (鄭玄, 127-200 AD) and the Tang scholar Kong Yingda (孔穎達, 574-648 AD) explained in the Zhouli Zhushu and Zhouyi Zhengyi:
- 1. Lianshan (連山): Originated with the Divine Farmer Shennong (神農氏, titled Lianshan Shi 連山氏 / 列山氏) and served as the state canon of the Xia Dynasty (夏朝) under Yu the Great. Named Lianshan because it places Pure Gen (☶ ䷳, Double Mountain) at the head of all 64 hexagrams, symbolizing “mountains sending forth clouds in continuous, unbroken succession”.
- 2. Guizang (歸藏): Originated with the Yellow Emperor Huangdi (黃帝軒轅氏, titled Guizang Shi 歸藏氏) and served as the state canon of the Shang-Yin Dynasty (商朝). Named Guizang because it places Pure Kun (☷ ䷁, Pure Earth) at the head of the 64 hexagrams, since “among all myriad things, there is none that does not return to be stored within Earth”.
- 3. Zhouyi (周易): Reorganized by King Wen of Zhou (周文王) at Youli with line statements by the Duke of Zhou (周公旦) during the Zhou Dynasty (周朝). Named Zhouyi both for the Zhou state and to signify that “the Way of Changes circulates universally, leaving nothing unfulfilled”, opening with Pure Qian (☰ ䷀) and Pure Kun (☷ ䷁).
Section 2: Astronomy of the Three Calendars (San Zheng: Jian Zi, Jian Chou & Jian Yin)
Astronomy anchors every sovereign hexagram. Why did the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties select Gen (☶), Kun (☷), and Qian (☰) as their respective opening hexagrams? The answer lies in the ancient astronomical calendar system of San Zheng (三正 · Three New Year Beginnings) and San Tong (三統 · Three Cosmic Mandates: Heaven, Earth, and Human) preserved in the Shangshu and Hanshu · Lüli Zhi:
| Scholarly Dimension | 1. Lianshan Yi (連山易) | 2. Guizang Yi (歸藏易) | 3. Zhouyi (周易) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founding Sage & Dynasty | Shennong · Xia Dynasty (夏) | Yellow Emperor · Shang Dynasty (商) | King Wen & Duke of Zhou · Zhou (周) |
| Sovereign First Hexagram | Pure Gen (艮為山 ☶ ䷳) | Pure Kun (坤為地 ☷ ䷁) | Pure Qian (乾為天 ☰ ䷀) & Kun (䷁) |
| Royal Calendar (San Zheng) | Xia Jian Yin (建寅 · 1st Tiger Month) | Shang Jian Chou (建丑 · 12th Ox Month) | Zhou Jian Zi (建子 · 11th Rat Month) |
| Solar Term & Tidal Gua | Start of Spring · Earth Heaven Tai (䷊) | Minor/Major Cold · Earth Lake Lin (䷒) | Winter Solstice · Earth Thunder Fu (䷗) |
| Three Mandates & Realms | Human Mandate (Ren Tong 人統 · Ren Yuan) | Earth Mandate (Di Tong 地統 · Di Yuan) | Heaven Mandate (Tian Tong 天統 · Tian Yuan) |
| Primary Bagua Diagram | Middle Heaven Bagua & Gen-Kun Axis | Early Heaven Bagua (Fu Xi Polarity) | Later Heaven Bagua (King Wen Cycle) |
| Divination Line Law | Static Equilibrium · Numbers 7 & 8 | Static Equilibrium · Numbers 7 & 8 | Dynamic Change · Lines 9 & 6 |
| Classical Text Scale | 80,000 Words (Huan Tan's Xin Lun) | 4,300 Words + Wangjiatai Slips (1993) | 24,207 Words (Canons + Ten Wings) |
| Core Feng Shui Domain | Mountain Dragon Veins, BaZhai & Gen Gate | 64 Da Gua Ring, Gua Qi (1-9) & 60 Nayin | Luo Shu Flying Stars, Six Laws & Cycles |
Section 3: Lianshan Yi (連山易) · The Primacy of Gen (☶) & the Northeast Portal
Mountains hold the spine of life. In Chapter 02: Lianshan Yi & the Primacy of Gen, we demonstrate why placing Pure Gen (☶ ䷳) at the summit of the 64 hexagrams unlocks the deepest secrets of Landform Feng Shui and Human Destiny. Consider Confucius's famous pronouncement in the Shuo Gua Zhuan (說卦傳):
「艮，東北之卦也，萬物之所成終而所成始也，故曰成言乎艮。」 Gen, dongbei zhi gua ye, wan wu zhi suo cheng zhong er suo cheng shi ye, gu yue cheng yan hu Gen.“Gen is the trigram of the Northeast; it is where all myriad things bring their endings to completion and where they bring their new beginnings to birth. Therefore it is said: fulfillment is accomplished in Gen.”
Zhouyi · Shuo Gua Zhuan · Chapter 5 (周易·說卦傳)
On the 24-Mountain compass ring, the Gen Palace (☶, Northeast 45°) spans Chou, Gen, and Yin. The Chou month (12th lunar month) marks the final completion of winter (Cheng Zhong), while the Yin month (1st lunar month, beginning at Start of Spring) marks the birth of spring (Cheng Shi). Consequently, the diagonal axis linking Gen (Northeast ☶) and Kun (Southwest ☷) is revered across Classical Feng Shui and Daoist alchemy as the Boundary Linking Early and Later Heaven and the Portal of Life and Death (Gui Men / Ren Men).
Section 4: Guizang Yi (歸藏易) · The Primacy of Kun (☷) & the Wangjiatai Slips
Earth stores all living essence. Whereas Lianshan Yi takes Mountain (Gen ☶) as the emblem of tangible form, the second canon, Guizang Yi (歸藏易), takes Pure Kun (☷ ䷁, Earth) as the matrix of hidden pre-heaven Qi (explored in full in Chapter 03: Guizang Yi & the Primacy of Kun). In the Book of Rites (Liji · Li Yun), Confucius recounted his field research in the state of Song (descendants of the Shang royal house):
「我欲觀殷道，是故之宋，而不足徵也，吾得坤乾焉。」 Wo yu guan Yin dao, shi gu zhi Song, er bu zu zheng ye, wu de Kun Qian yan.“I desired to observe the Way of the Yin-Shang Dynasty, and for that reason I went to Song; though its ritual institutions were no longer sufficient for full verification, there I obtained the Book of Kun-Qian (Guizang Yi)!”
Book of Rites · Li Yun (禮記·禮運) · Zheng Xuan's Commentary: “Kun-Qian is Guizang”
In March 1993, the excavation of over 800 bamboo slips from Qin Tomb No. 15 at Wangjiatai (Jiangling, Hubei, pre-278 BC) recovered 54 hexagrams of the Warring States Guizang Yi, confirming both its historical authenticity and its direct connection to the Xuan Kong Da Gua 64-hexagram compass ring (where Pure Kun ䷁ carries Gua Qi 1 Water as the starting point of storage) and the 60 Jiazi Nayin (六十甲子納音).
Section 5: Zhouyi (周易) · The Primacy of Qian (☰) & the Yong Jiu / Yong Liu Shift
Heaven drives ceaseless transformation. In the 11th century BC, King Wen of Zhou and the Duke of Zhou executed a revolutionary mathematical synthesis when they constructed the Zhouyi (周易) (detailed in Chapter 04: Zhouyi & Dynamic Qian-Kun Changes): placing Pure Qian (☰ ䷀) and Pure Kun (☷ ䷁) at the head of the Upper Canon (30 hexagrams), placing Xian (䷞) and Heng (䷟) at the head of the Lower Canon (34 hexagrams), organizing all 64 hexagrams into 36 structural palaces (28 inverted pairs + 8 non-inverting pairs), and introducing the unique transformation formulas Yong Jiu (用九) and Yong Liu (用六).
Section 6: Da Yan Yarrow Mathematics: Static Numbers (7-8) vs. Dynamic Lines (9-6)
Numbers divide stillness from motion. In the Zhouli Shu, Tang scholar Jia Gongyan (賈公彥) stated the cardinal rule distinguishing the Three Changes: “Lianshan and Guizang divine by the unchanging, taking 7 and 8 as their main focus; Zhouyi divines by the changing, taking 9 and 6 as its main focus.”
Lianshan & Guizang Layer: Static 7 & 8 (~75% of Cast Lines)
In the 50-stalk Da Yan yarrow method, 7 (Young Yang) and 8 (Young Yin) represent structural equilibrium. Attested across the Zuo Zhuan and Guoyu (“Encountering Gen's 8: 艮之八”, “Tai's 8: 泰之八”), reading the static 7-8 matrix diagnoses present anatomical reality (Lianshan) and stored internal capital (Guizang).
Zhouyi Layer: Dynamic 9 & 6 (~25% of Cast Lines)
9 (Old Yang at saturation) and 6 (Old Yin at saturation) represent critical phase transitions where Yang inverts into Yin and Yin inverts into Yang, generating the secondary hexagram (Zhi Gua 之卦) to forecast future trajectory and exact timing.
Section 7: Uniting Early, Middle & Later Heaven Bagua, Lunar Najia & 60 Jiazi Nayin
Three Bagua wheels turn in unison. In Chapter 05: Image-Number Mathematics of the Three Changes, we present the complete mathematical integration of the Early Heaven Bagua (Guizang Substance), Middle Heaven Bagua (Lianshan Human Bridge), and Later Heaven Bagua (Zhouyi Function) alongside Lunar Najia (月體納甲) and the 36 Lianshan Spirits.
Section 8: The Three Changes in Classical Feng Shui (Da Gua, Six Laws & Water Methods)
Classical Feng Shui rests on all Three Changes. As analyzed in Chapter 06: Applying the Three Changes in Classical Feng Shui, every authentic San Yuan lineage unites the three canons:
- The Lianshan Layer (Human Realm · Mountain Dragons & Eight Mansions): Uses Lianshan Primacy of Gen to trace mountain dragon veins from the Ancestral Peak through the Pass (Guo Xia) to the穴 (Dragon Lair), guards the Northeast-Southwest Life-Death axis, and drives the Eight-Mansion line transformations.
- The Guizang Layer (Earth Realm · Xuan Kong Da Gua): Projects the 64 Early Heaven Hexagrams onto the 360° Luo Pan (opening with Pure Kun Gua Qi 1 Water through Pure Qian Gua Qi 9 Metal) together with the 60 Jiazi Nayin on the 384-line ring.
- The Zhouyi Layer (Heaven Realm · Xuan Kong Six Laws & Flying Stars): Operates the 180-year Three-Cycle Nine-Period clock, Golden Dragon Tai Sui, Direct/Indirect Spirits, and flying star trajectories.
Section 9: Tri-System Integrated Divination (三易合參) & Yellow Emperor Medical Yi
One cast illuminates three dimensions. In Chapter 07: Tri-System Divination & Medical Yi, Master Ung Khiem presents the complete clinical methodology of San Yi He Can (三易合參): reading the Lianshan layer (static 7-8 lines and Eight-Palace Host/Guest) to diagnose present tangible reality, reading the Guizang layer (nuclear trigrams, Gui Hun return, and Nayin) to diagnose hidden financial/karmic reserves, and reading the Zhouyi layer (dynamic 9-6 moving lines and transformed Zhi Gua) to forecast future outcomes and exact timing.
Section 10: 3 Real-World Case Studies by Master Ung Khiem & 8 In-Depth FAQs
Real-world results validate classical law. Below are 3 representative field audits and strategic consultations conducted by Master Ung Khiem applying the Three Systems of Changes during Period 9 (2024-2043):
Sealing the Northeast “Lianshan Gen Gate” & Activating the Southwest “Guizang Kun Treasury” in Period 9
Initial Condition & Tri-System Diagnosis: A South-facing (Li Fire) commercial tower captured surface Period 9 prosperity, yet after a lobby renovation in early 2025 the group suffered severe cash-flow drain and executive turnover. Under a Tri-System audit: while the Zhouyi layer (Heaven Realm) enjoyed Period 9 Li Fire, the Lianshan layer (Human Realm) at the Northeast (Gen ☶) had been hollowed out by a spiral stairwell and ventilation shaft, puncturing the Gen Mountain Portal, while the Guizang main door straddled a Minor Void line.
Master Ung Khiem's Tri-System Prescription: (1) By Lianshan Primacy of Gen: sealed the Northeast wind-tunnel draft and anchored a monolithic quartz mountain screen at the Gen sector to stabilize human governance; (2) By Guizang Primacy of Kun: recalibrated the Southwest revolving entrance leaf onto Pure Kun (䷁ · Gua Qi 1 Water, Star Period 1 Indirect Spirit of Period 9), locking into 9 + 1 = 10 Sum-of-Ten with the Period 9 chart. Within 6 months, executive retention reached 100% and net capital recovery exceeded $13 million USD.
Tracing Mountain Dragon Veins via “Lianshan Guo Xia” & Mountain-Lake Qi Exchange
Initial Condition: A 4.5-hectare highland resort bordered by three cascading Northeast ridges sloping toward a natural Southeast lake had suffered foundation subsidence under previous layouts that ignored the incoming dragon vein.
Master Ung Khiem's Tri-System Prescription: Applying Lianshan Dragon Tracing across the Parent Peak and Pass (Guo Xia), we sited the central Clubhouse on the true Gen node, setting a Sitting Gen Facing Kun (sub-axis Chou-Wei) alignment on Mountain Lake Sun (䷨ · Gua Qi 6 Water, Star Period 9 Direct Spirit) locked in Mountain-Lake Qi Exchange (`6 + 4 = 10` Early Heaven Sum-of-Ten) with the Southeast Dui lake. The resort achieved structural perfection and 92% occupancy in its opening season.
Decoding an Unchanging Cast of “Pure Gen's Eight (艮之八)” to Uncover Hidden Debt
Scenario: A pharmaceutical CEO consulted Master Ung Khiem before signing a 70% acquisition of a traditional medicine factory whose surface balance sheet looked spotless. Casting yarrow stalks yielded all six lines as static 7s and 8s, forming Pure Gen (艮為山 ䷳) with zero moving lines (“Gen zhi Ba”).
Tri-System Synthesis Reading: Where a conventional single-layer reader sees no moving lines, Tri-System Divination reads three layers: (1) Lianshan Layer (Pure Gen) shows two mountains standing back-to-back (Gen qi bei): complete non-communication between management teams and halted production lines; (2) Guizang Layer (Nuclear Hexagram) extracts lines 2-3-4 (Kan Water) and 3-4-5 (Zhen Thunder), forming Thunder Water Jie (䷧) locked inside Gen's rigid outer shell, revealing hidden bank collateral debt and environmental litigation (Kan danger) buried inside the company's vault. Pausing the deal for forensic due diligence uncovered $3.4M in undisclosed liabilities, saving the client from insolvency.
❓ 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Lianshan & The Three Changes
1. What are the Three Systems of Changes (San Yi) and why is studying the Zhouyi alone incomplete?
Recorded in the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli · Taibu), ancient Chinese state metaphysics operated three complete 64-hexagram canons: Lianshan Yi (Xia Dynasty, opening with Gen ☶), Guizang Yi (Shang Dynasty, opening with Kun ☷), and Zhouyi (Zhou Dynasty, opening with Qian ☰). Studying Zhouyi alone covers only one-third of the triad (the Heaven Realm of temporal change), whereas Lianshan holds the keys to physical landform dragon veins and the Gen-Kun portal (Human Realm) and Guizang holds the keys to the 64 Early Heaven Hexagrams and 60 Jiazi Nayin (Earth Realm).
2. Why do Lianshan, Guizang, and Zhouyi open with Gen (☶), Kun (☷), and Qian (☰) respectively?
The three opening hexagrams reflect the Three Royal Calendars (San Zheng) and Three Cosmic Realms (San Cai): Zhouyi uses the Jian Zi calendar (11th month, Winter Solstice, One Yang reborn), honoring Qian Heaven (☰) as creative initiation; Guizang uses the Jian Chou calendar (12th month, Major Cold, life stored in frozen earth), honoring Kun Earth (☷) as the treasury of return; Lianshan uses the Jian Yin calendar (1st month, Start of Spring at the Northeast Gen Palace), honoring Gen Mountain (☶) as the pivot where endings complete and beginnings emerge.
3. What did the 1993 archaeological discovery of the Wangjiatai Qin bamboo slips prove?
In March 1993, archaeologists excavating Qin Tomb No. 15 at Wangjiatai (Jiangling, Hubei, pre-278 BC) recovered over 800 bamboo slips containing 54 hexagrams of the pre-Qin Guizang Yi written in numeric 7 and 8 line symbols. The slips match Tang-dynasty citations of Guizang word for word, proving conclusively that the pre-Zhou systems of Changes were authentic ancient canons rather than Han forgeries.
4. How does reading static 7 and 8 lines in Lianshan and Guizang differ from dynamic 9 and 6 lines in Zhouyi?
In the 50-stalk Da Yan yarrow algorithm, remainders yield four numbers: 7 (Young Yang, static), 8 (Young Yin, static), 9 (Old Yang, changing), and 6 (Old Yin, changing). Because 7 and 8 represent balanced structural equilibrium (~75% of all cast lines), Lianshan and Guizang read the static 7-8 matrix to diagnose current structural reality and stored potential, whereas Zhouyi tracks the 9-6 moving lines to forecast future transformation.
5. How do the Three Changes connect with Xuan Kong Da Gua and Classical San Yuan Feng Shui?
In authentic San Yuan Feng Shui: Lianshan Yi governs the Human Realm (Mountain Dragon ridges, the Gen-Kun life-death axis, and Eight-Mansion line transformations); Guizang Yi governs the Earth Realm (the 64 Early Heaven Hexagram compass ring starting from Kun 1 Water to Qian 9 Metal, and the 60 Jiazi Nayin); Zhouyi governs the Heaven Realm (Luo Shu Flying Stars, Xuan Kong Six Laws, and 20-year period transitions).
6. What is Master Ung Khiem's “Tri-System Integrated Divination (三易合參)” method?
Tri-System Integrated Divination (San Yi He Can) casts a single hexagram and decodes three simultaneous dimensions: the Lianshan layer (static 7-8 lines and Eight-Palace Host/Guest) diagnoses current tangible obstacles; the Guizang layer (nuclear trigrams and Nayin) uncovers hidden financial/karmic reserves; and the Zhouyi layer (moving 9-6 lines and Zhi Gua) pinpoints future outcomes and exact timing.
7. How should we apply the Three Changes during Period 9 (2024-2043) and the 2026-2027 Fire Years?
Period 9 belongs to Li Fire (☲ · radiant outside, hollow inside), and the peak Fire years of 2026 (Bing Wu) and 2027 (Ding Wei) amplify volatility and liquidity burnout. Under the Three Changes, blazing Zhouyi Li Fire must be grounded by Lianshan Gen Mountain (☶ · Gua Qi 6 Water) to solidify tangible assets and nourished by Guizang Pure Kun (☷ · Gua Qi 1 Water, Star Period 1 Indirect Spirit forming 9+1=10 Sum-of-Ten) at main entrances and water mouths.
8. In what sequence should I read the 7 Flagship Monographs of this series?
Begin with Chapter 01 (Overview of the Three Changes) for the canonical and calendrical foundation; proceed through the three core pillars in Chapter 02 (Lianshan Yi & Gen), Chapter 03 (Guizang Yi & Kun), and Chapter 04 (Zhouyi & Qian-Kun); then master the mathematical synthesis in Chapter 05 (Three Bagua & Najia) and practical fieldwork in Chapter 06 (Classical Feng Shui) and Chapter 07 (Tri-System Divination & Medical Yi).
📜 Begin Your Study of the 7-Chapter Three Changes Monograph Series
Step into Chapter 01 to explore the Zhouli Taibu canon, Three Royal Calendars, and Wangjiatai bamboo slips, or launch Master Ung Khiem's interactive 64-Hexagram & 384-Yao Luo Pan Pro: