- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Part One
- Part Two
- The Luo Shu - 3x3 Magic Square
- The Enneagram and the Lo Shu
- 5x5 Magic Square
- 7x7 Magic Square
- 9x9 Magic Square
- 11x11 Magic Square
- 13x13 Magic Square
- Discussion - 13x13 Magic Square
- 15x15 Magic Square
- 17x17 Magic Square
- 19x19 Magic Square
- 21x21 Magic Square
- 23x23 Magic Square
- 25x25 Magic Square
- 27x27 Magic Square
- The Significance of the 27x27 Luo Shu Magic Square
- Part Three
- Bibliography
The Significance of the 27x27 Luo Shu Magic Square
THE SQUARE OF THE SUN
"At the center of all things resides the sun. Could we find a better place in this most beautiful of all temples, from whence this light illuminates all things at once? Rightly it is called the lamp, the spirit, the ruler of the universe. For Hermes Trismegistus it is the invisible god, Sopholcles' Elektra calls it the all-seeing. Thus, the sun sits in its royal throne and guides its children, which circle it."
Copernicus, 1543
The 27x27 Magic Square is the most significant magic square of all as it represented the model of the universe to early humankind.
The early Chinese revered the Luo Shu Magic Square because it was a model for Time (as in the numbers of the calendar) and Space (as in the Pythagorean Theorem).
A functional model for Time and Space that could bring order and prosperity to humankind would serve as the cosmology of a culture. The Luo Shu was such a model and was based on number; number was used to bring order to the chaotic cosmos just as number was believed to explain the mysteries of Nature.
The gnomon also was a mathematical instrument that was used to bring order and prosperity by identifying the four seasons. The gnomon demonstrated the importance of the right angle triangle used in measuring distances, thereby connecting this math (the Pythagorean Theorem and its triplets of numbers) to the Luo Shu.
The gnomon and the Luo Shu were math instruments used to help prepare for the future by understanding the movements of the cosmos and the changes that were to come. The Luo Shu was a part of the Yi Jing and both were used as instruments to prognosticate, or divine the future.
The 27x27 Magic Square in the Luo Shu format is the most supreme square of all magic squares as a model for Time and Space and has within its numerical arrangement the following attributes:
1. The square has as its center number 365, the most significant number to humankind as it represents the number of days in a solar year.
2. The 27x27 Magic Square has the significant numbers of the 13x13 Magic Square arranged in the geometric shape of a triabolo. These numbers are referred to as the numbers of the calendar in the Yi Jing and add up to 365.
3. The 27x27 Magic Square features the 3-4-5, 5-12-13, 13-84-85, 27-364-365, and the 29-420-421 Pythagorean Triads.
4. Significant numbers of the 3x3, 5x5, and 13x13 Magic Squares can be found in pattern within the 27x27 Magic Square.
5. The numbers of the Enneagram: 147/174, 258/285, 369/396 may be found in pattern in the 27x27 Magic Square starting with 36 and adding 111 up to 702, (X2 - X, when X = 27).
6. The numbers of the Enneagram are are related to the Yi Jing and Hexagrams 1, 2, 63, and 64 (the beginning and the end).
CONCLUSION
The Luo Shu should be looked at as a format to arrange odd magic Squares. If only the 3x3 Magic Square is considered as the Luo Shu then the concept of Time (as in the numbers of the calendar) and Space (as in the Pythagorean Theorem) would be unattainable.
However, if odd Magic Squares were studied as a group in the Luo Shu format, then it becomes apparent that:
1. A unique Pythagorean triad of numbers presents itself for each Magic Square.
2. Magic Squares in the Luo Shu format are composed of two consecutive numbers.
3. Each Magic Square in the Luo Shu format will generate seven significant numbers that will always have the same relative cell position.
4. A triabolo forms in the 11x11, 19x19, and 27x27 Magic Squares and this establishes a connection between two specific Magic Squares.
5. Ascending Magic Squares in the Luo Shu format represent fractal growth.
6. Magic Squares in the Luo Shu format describe a torus.
7. All Magic Squares in the Luo Shu format have a cruciform shape of odd numbers that occupy the horizontal and vertical axis.
8. Any magic Square in the Luo Shu format can be constructed by placing the number 1 below the center cell and begin numbering, adding one and moving along the UL to LR diagonal.