Historical talisman traditions
Bagua Trigrams
The Pavitts call the trigrams Pa-kwa and describe their use on boards, small medals, and circular charms. They report protective and longevity associations. The accompanying explanation distinguishes whole from divided lines and relates them to yin and yang. The legend of a dragon horse carrying the pattern is presented as traditional origin imagery.
Also known as Pa-kwa
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In the sources
Principal account
ReportedThe Pavitts call the trigrams Pa-kwa and describe their use on boards, small medals, and circular charms. They report protective and longevity associations.
Further detail
ReportedThe accompanying explanation distinguishes whole from divided lines and relates them to yin and yang. The legend of a dragon horse carrying the pattern is presented as traditional origin imagery.
Context & interpretation
The Pavitts’ 1922 compilation gathers symbols and attributed powers from several traditions, sometimes with conjectural origins. Its statements about protection, health, and fortune document talismanic belief rather than demonstrated effects or medical guidance.
Original passages
Source 1
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
the Yellow River about 2800 B.C. These Trigrams, known as Pa-kwa, formed the basis of the written characters introduced by this wise Emperor. They areOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 66
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0066
- Original scan leaf
- 67
- Recorded leaf number
- 67
- Current Reader position
- 59
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
The Book of Talismans, Amulets and Zodiacal Gems
in contrast, or positive and negative. The whole lines in the figures are described as strong in contrast to the short-divided lines, whichOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Historical talisman traditions; active reader leaf 66
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0074-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0074-E001-P0066
- Original scan leaf
- 67
- Recorded leaf number
- 67
- Current Reader position
- 59
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed