Han Long Jing (撼龍經)

須彌山是天地骨，中鎮天地為巨物。如人背脊與項梁，生出四肢龍突兀。四肢分出四世界，南北東西為四派。西北崆峒數萬程，東入三韓隔杳冥。惟有南龍入中國，胎宗孕祖來奇特。黃河九曲為大腸，川江屈曲為膀胱。分肢擘脈縱橫去，氣血勾連逢水住。大為都邑帝王州，小為郡縣君公侯。

The Mount Sumeru is the skeleton of the universe, located at the center of the earth, being the largest entity. It is like the spine and neck of a human body, from which four great dragons arise, representing the four limbs of the universe. These limbs extend in the four directions, supporting the four great worlds, namely the four dragon lines of the East, South, West, and North. The western branch of the dragon passes through the崆峒 mountains and extends for ten thousand miles. The eastern branch enters the three Korean regions, crossing the sea where it becomes indistinct. Only the southern dragon branch enters China, with its ancestral mountains, origin, and birthplace being particularly unique. The Yellow River winds like the dragon's large intestine, and the Yangtze River meanders like the dragon's bladder. The dragon lines branch out and spread in all directions, with the mountain's energy and the water's blood connected and following each other. When they meet an obstacle of water, they stop and form: large formations become the capitals of emperors, while small ones become the territories of marquises, counties, and prefectures.

其次偏方小鎮市，亦有富貴居其中。大率龍行自有真，星峰磊落是龍身。高山須認星峰起，平地龍行別有名。峰以星名取其類，星辰下照山成形。龍神二字尋山脈，神是精神龍是質。莫道高山方有龍，卻來平地失真蹤。平地龍從高脈發，高起星峰低落穴。高山既認星峰起，平地兩傍尋水勢。

The second highest level of forming remote town markets is when there is also a wealthy family present. Generally speaking, the course of a dragon has its true and false aspects; only those with distinct and clear star peaks are considered true dragon bodies. For a dragon in high mountains, one should recognize it by the ups and downs of the star peaks, while for a dragon on flat land, there are different criteria. Mountain peaks are named according to nine stars, based on their shapes, as ancient people believed that the qi from the celestial stars descends and forms the mountains into such shapes. The term "dragon spirit" is essential in searching for the dragon's path: "spirit" refers to the momentum and vitality, while "dragon" refers to the form and physical structure. Do not say that dragons only exist in high mountains; once you reach flat land, you might think the true trail has been lost. In fact, dragons on flat land originally come from high mountains, rising from high places with star peaks and descending to form a resting place in low areas. In high mountains, one recognizes the dragon by the star peaks, but on flat land, one must instead recognize it by the water flow on both sides.

兩水夾處是真龍，枝葉周迴中者是。莫令山反枝葉散，山若反兮水散漫。外山百里作羅城，此是平洋龍局段。星峰頓伏落平去，外山隔水來相顧。平中仰掌似凹窠，隱隱微微立丘阜。傾從丘阜覓凹窠，或有勾夾如旋螺。勾夾是案螺是穴，水去明堂聚氣多，四傍繞護如城郭，水繞山還聚一窩。

Two streams of water flanking a path indicate the true dragon, and the central ridge among the small hills resembling branches is the true one. Do not allow the mountain shape to reverse or the branches to scatter; if the mountain reverses, the water will become scattered and lose its control. The surrounding mountains extend for hundreds of li to form a "Lo City," which is the pattern of a dragon in a flat land. The star peaks fall onto the flat land with a rising and falling motion, and the outer mountains look back across the water to support and reflect. On flat land, look for a slight depression resembling an upturned palm called "kē," with small hills surrounding it subtly and gently. Follow the hills to find the depression, and sometimes there is a hooking and enclosing shape like a spiral. The hooking and enclosing part is the case mountain, and the center of the spiral is the site of the dwelling. The water flows into the bright hall, gathering more energy. The four sides surround and protect like a city, with water circling and mountains enclosing, thus gathering true energy in this hollow.

霜降水涸尋不見，春夏水高龍背現。此是平洋看龍法，過處如絲或如線。高水一寸即是山，低水一寸水迴環。水纏便是山纏樣，纏得真龍如仰掌。窠心掌裡或乳頭，端然有穴明天象。水繞山纏在平坡，遠有岡陵近有河。只愛山來抱身體，不愛水返去從他。水抱應知山來抱，水不抱兮山不到。

After the frost descent, the water dries up, and the dragon ridges are no longer visible on flat land; during spring and summer, when the water rises, the line visible on the surface is actually the back of the dragon. This is the method of examining dragon ridges in flat areas: where the ridge passes, it is as fine as a thread. If a hill rises one inch above the water, it is considered a mountain; if it is one inch below the water, it is considered a bend in the water. The way the water winds around is the same as the way the mountain winds around; when it winds to the true dragon gathering place, its shape resembles an upturned palm. In the hollow of the palm, there may be a small protrusion like a nipple, where the site is clearly located, corresponding to the heavenly phenomena. Water winding and mountains winding both fall on the flat slope; in the distance there are ridges, and nearby there are rivers. It is preferred that mountains encircle the site, not that water flows away to another place; if the water encircles, it indicates that the mountains also encircle; if the water does not encircle, it means the mountains have not actually arrived.

莫道高山龍易識，知到平洋失蹤跡。藕斷絲連正好尋，退卸愈多愈有力。高龍多下低處藏，四沒神機便尋得。祖宗父母數程遙，誤得時師皆不識。凡到平地莫問蹤，只觀環繞是真龍。念得龍經無眼力，萬卷真藏也是空。

Do not think that a dragon in the high mountains is easy to recognize, and once it reaches the plains, its trail disappears entirely. In flat areas, the dragon's path may appear broken but is actually connected, and it can be carefully traced. The more it retreats and changes, the stronger its power becomes. A large dragon often descends to lower places to hide, and only by observing the subtle signs in the areas where it disappears can it be found. Ancestral mountains and parent mountains are far away, so ordinary teachers often make mistakes. When reaching flat land, one should not insist on searching for the trail; instead, look where water and land converge, for that is where the true dragon lies. If one can only recite dragon classics but lacks the eye to discern, even reading thousands of volumes of true scriptures is in vain.

北辰一星中天尊，上相上將居四垣。天乙太乙明堂照，華蓋三臺相後先。此星萬里不得一，此龍不許時人識。識得之時不用藏，留與皇朝鎮家國。請從垣外論九星，北斗星宮繫幾名。貪巨武星並輔弼，祿文廉破地中行。九星人言有三吉，三吉之餘有輔弼。不知星曜定錙銖，禍福之門教君識。

The star "Beichen" is located in the central sky and holds the highest rank. The stars of the chief minister and general are arranged in the four enclosures. Tianyi and Taiyi illuminate the Bright Hall, while "Huagai" and the Three Platforms support each other before and after. Such an enclosure is rare within a hundred thousand miles. This dragon is not allowed to be recognized by ordinary people easily; if someone truly recognizes it, they should not keep it secret, but rather leave it for the court to guard the country. Now, let's discuss the nine stars from outside the enclosures: the various names of the constellations of the Big Dipper total several. They are "Tanwang," "Jumen," "Wuqu," along with "Zuofu" and "Youbi," as well as "Luchun," "Wenqu," "Lianzhen," and "Pojun," all of which run on the ground. People say among the nine stars there are three auspicious ones, and beyond the three auspicious ones there are also the two auxiliary stars. If one cannot distinguish the stars' positions with precision down to the smallest fraction, they will not be able to grasp the gate of fortune and misfortune—what follows will explain this one by one.

貪狼頓起筍生峰，若是斜枝便不同。斜枝側頂為破面，尖而有腳號乘龍。腳下橫拖為帶劍，文武功名從此辨。橫看是頂側是峰，此是貪狼出陣龍。側面成峰身直去，不是為朝便不住。

"The true form of 'Tanlang' is a sudden peak rising abruptly on a flat surface, sharp like a bamboo shoot emerging from the ground; if the peak has a slanting branch, its nature changes. A slanting branch combined with a tilted peak is called 'Pomen'; a peak that is sharp and has a foot at the bottom is called 'Chenglong'. A peak whose foot spreads out horizontally is called 'Daijian'—whether it produces a scholar or a military officer can be distinguished from these features. If viewed from the front it appears as a single peak, and from the side it appears as a mountain, this is called 'Tanlang Chuzhen Long'. If it only forms a peak on the side and continues straight without stopping, then it is either serving as a subsidiary mountain for another place or simply refuses to stop and form a cluster here."

莫來此處認高峰，道是玄武在其中。亦有高峰是玄武，玄武落處四獸聚。聚處方為龍聚星，四獸不顧只成空。空亡龍上莫尋穴，縱然有穴易歇滅。或為關峽似龍形，正身潛在峽中行。時師多向峽中覓，不識真龍斷續情。

Do not assume that every high peak is the "Xuanwu" behind a hill. Although some peaks indeed are Xuanwu, the true Xuanwu must be where all four animals gather; only where the four animals converge can the dragon qi gather. If the four animals do not come to look back, it is just an empty place. Such "kongwang dragon" places cannot be used for site selection. Even if one forces a site there, it will quickly decline and fail. Some places may appear as a pass with a shape like a dragon, but the true dragon body actually passes through the pass secretly. Most people only search within the pass, not understanding the intermittent movement of the true dragon.

貪狼自有十二樣，尖圓平直小為上。欹斜側巖倒破空，禍福輕重自不同。欹側傾斜斜似側，平似乘龍側似直。貪狼似巨倒似空，空似虛巖即似石。問君來此如何觀，我道貪狼非一般。欹是崩崖破是折，斜是邊有邊不同。

"The Greedy Wolf" has twelve forms: sharp, round, flat, straight, and small, which are five superior shapes; slanting, leaning, side, rock, inverted, broken, and hollow, which are seven variant forms, each bringing different degrees of fortune or misfortune. These forms are easily confused with each other: slanting and leaning, leaning and slanting, and when viewed slanting, it appears as leaning; a flat body resembles "Dragon Riding," and a leaning body resembles a straight body. The Greedy Wolf sometimes resembles the "Gate of the Gate," an inverted body sometimes resembles a hollow body, and a hollow body resembles a hollow rock, which in turn resembles a stone mountain. You ask, then, how should one observe this? I say the Greedy Wolf must not be considered in a general way.the so-called "slanting" refers to a mountain cliff collapsing, "broken" refers to the peak being damaged, and "slanting" refers to one side intact and the other broken.

側是面尖身直去，空是巖穴多玲瓏。倒是飛峰偏不正，七者未是貪狼龍。平地卓然頓起筍，此是尖狼本來性。圓無欹側四面同，平若臥蠶在高頂。直如決脊引繩來，小似筆頭插高塔。五者方為貪正形，吉凶禍福要詳明。

The term "side" refers to a peak that appears sharp from the front but has a straight body; "hollow" means the mountain body has many rock caves and holes, making it appear hollow and transparent; "upside down" means the peak tilts sideways and is not upright. The above seven types are not true greedy wolf dragons. The true greedy wolf dragon is as follows: it rises suddenly from flat land as a bamboo-like peak, which is the nature of a "sharp" body; it is round on all sides, without leaning or tilting, which is the nature of a "round" body; its top is flat, like a lying silkworm, lying horizontally at a high place, which is the nature of a "flat" body; its spine is straight, like a rope pulled taut, which is the nature of a "straight" body; its peak is small, like a pen tip or like a tall tower piercing the sky, which is the nature of a "small" body. These five are the true forms of the greedy wolf dragon. One must carefully distinguish between good and bad fortune based on these characteristics.

火星要起廉貞位，生出貪狼由此勢。若見火星動焰時，看他蹤跡落何處。此龍不是尋常貴，生出貪狼向亦奇。火星若起廉貞位，落處須尋一百里。中有貪狼小小峰，有時回顧火星宮。世人只道貪狼好，不識廉貞是祖宗。

The star Mars must be located at the position of Xianzhen. Tanlang is generated from this kind of energy. If the peak of Mars appears as a fierce flame, one should trace its trail to see where it falls. This kind of dragon is not an ordinary noble pattern; the Tanlang produced from it has an especially unique direction. Since Mars is located at Xianzhen, one should look for a hill formation within one hundred li after its trail falls. Along this path, small Tanlang peaks will appear, and sometimes they will turn back to look at the original Mars hill. People only know Tanlang is good, but they do not know that Xianzhen is the ancestor of Tanlang.

貪狼若非廉作祖，為官也不到三公。高山頂上如平掌，中分細脈如蛇樣。貴龍多是穿心出，富龍只從傍生上。高山如帳後面遮，帳裡微微似帶斜。帶舞來下如鼠尾，此是貪狼上嶺蛇。帶舞下來伸鶴頸，此是貪狼下嶺蛇。上嶺解生朱紫貴，下嶺須為朽腐家。

If the Tanniang star is not derived from the Lianzhen star, even if it becomes an official, it will not reach the position of a high-ranking official. A high mountain has a flat top like a palm, with a thin vein running through the middle, winding like a snake. The noble dragon usually emerges straight through the center of the canopy, while the wealthy dragon only rises from the side. A high mountain stretches horizontally like a canopy in front, with a slightly hanging silk ribbon inside the canopy. If this ribbon moves upward from the bottom, resembling a mouse's tail, it is called "Tanniang ascending mountain snake"; if it moves downward from the top, resembling an extended crane's neck, it is called "Tanniang descending mountain snake." The ascending mountain snake can produce noblemen wearing red robes and purple sashes, while the descending mountain snake will eventually decline into a decaying family.

大山特起小為貴，小山忽起大為勢。高低大小斷續行，此是貪狼真骨氣。大抵九星有種類，生子生孫巧相似。剝換方知骨氣真，剝換不真皆不是。一剝一換大生小，從大剝小最奇異。剝換退卸見真龍，小峰依舊貪狼起。

In the midst of a large mountain range, a small peak suddenly rises, which is considered noble; in a small mountain range, a tall peak suddenly appears, which is considered powerful. The terrain fluctuates between high and low, large and small, and continues intermittently, which is the true character of the star known as Tanlang. Generally speaking, the nine stars each have their own types, like parents and children, with their forms cleverly similar to each other. To determine the true character of the dragon, one must look at the 'peeling and transformation' (peihuan). If the peeling and transformation are not genuine, they are not considered valid. One peels and one transforms, transitioning from large to small; transforming a large peak into a small one is most unusual. After the process of peeling and transformation, the true dragon becomes evident—the small peak still retains the form of Tanlang.

剝小如人換好裳，如蟬退殼蠶退筐。或從大山落低小，或從高峰落平洋。退卸剝換成幾段，十條九條亂了亂。中有一條卻是真，若是真時斷了斷。亂山回抱在面前，不許一條出外邊。只有真龍在帳內，亂山在外卻為纏。

The great shedding and transformation are like a person putting on a fine new garment, or a cicada shedding its shell, or a silkworm emerging from its cocoon. The transformation becomes more refined with each change. Some mountains fall from great heights to become low and small, while others descend from high peaks to flat plains. After the shedding and transformation are divided into several stages, nine out of the ten ridges become tangled and confused. Among them, one is the true ridge, which must be broken again and again, yet still connected by a thread. The chaotic mountains encircle and embrace the front, not allowing any single ridge to break out of the area. The true dragon remains alone within the enclosure, while the surrounding mountains actually become protective barriers.

此龍多從腰裡落，迴轉餘枝作城廓。城廓彎環生捍門，門外羅星當腰著。羅星要在羅城外，此與火星常作案。火星龍始有羅星，若是羅星不居內。居內名為抱養，又為病跟墮胎山。羅星若生羅城口，城口皆為玉筍班。羅城恰似城牆勢，龍在城中聚真氣。羅星借在城闕間，時師喚作水口山。

This kind of dragon mountain usually originates from the middle of the mountain, with its returning branches forming a circular city-like structure. At the bends of this city-like structure, there are opposing "hàn mén" (guardian gates). Outside the city gate, directly at the waist level, there is a "luó xīng" (star hill). The "luó xīng" should be located outside the "luó chéng" (star city); it often forms a supporting mountain with the "huǒ xīng" (fire star). A dragon mountain with a "huǒ xīng" as its origin can have a "luó xīng," but the "luó xīng" should not be inside the "luó chéng." If it is inside, it is called "bào yǎng" (adopted) or "bìng gēn duò tāi shān" (illness and miscarriage mountain), which indicates adoption, miscarriage, and harm to the male heirs. (This sentence in the original text is only six characters, missing one character compared to other sentences, so it is recorded as is without supplementation.) If the "luó xīng" is exactly at the entrance of the "luó chéng," then those people emerging from the city entrance are all esteemed officials in the "yù sǔn bān" (jade bamboo class). The shape of the "luó chéng" is just like a city wall, where the dragon mountain gathers true energy within. The "luó xīng" stands between the city gates, and skilled geomancers call it the "shuǐ kǒu shān" (water mouth mountain).

欲識羅星真妙訣，一邊枕水一邊田。田中有骨脈相連，或為頑石焦土間。此是羅星有餘氣，卓立為星在水邊。貪巨羅星方與尖，輔弼武曲員匾眠。祿存廉貞多破碎，破軍尖破最為害。只有尖圓方匾星，此是羅星得正形。忽然四面皆是水，兩冊環合鬱然青。羅星亦自有種類，浪說羅星在水邊。

To truly understand the essence of a Luo Star, observe that it is situated on one side by water and on the other adjacent to a field. Within the field, there are stone bones connected to mountain ranges, or there are scattered rocks and barren soil, which indicates the residual energy of the Luo Star. It stands prominently by the water, forming a single star. The Luo Stars formed by Tanlang and Jumen may be square or sharp in shape; those formed by Fubei and Wuqu are round and flat, lying horizontally. Those formed by禄存 and Lianzhen are mostly broken, while those formed by Pojun are very sharp and broken, causing the greatest harm. Only the Luo Stars that are sharp, round, square, or flat are considered to have the correct form. Sometimes, they are completely surrounded by water, with both banks enclosing them, creating a lush, verdant appearance. This shows that Luo Stars have different types, and one should not simply say "Luo Star is by the water" and consider the matter finished.

巨門尊星性端莊，才離祖宗即高昂。星峰自與眾星別，不尖不圓其體方。高處定為頓笏樣。但是無腳生兩傍。如此星峰止一二，方岡之下如驅羊。方岡或如四角帳，帳中出帶似飛揚。飛揚要得穿帳去，帳中兩角隨身張。

"Jumen" is a noble star, characterized by its dignified nature and upright posture, rising proudly even as it leaves the ancestral mountains. Its star peak differs distinctly from other stars: neither sharp nor round, it has a square and upright shape. At its highest point, it must resemble a standing jade tablet, but without feet on either side. Such square peaks appear only one or two along the way; beneath the square ridges, smaller hills are scattered, like a flock of sheep being driven. Sometimes the square ridge resembles a four-cornered tent, from which a central ridge extends and rises. This central ridge should be able to pass through the tent, and the two corners of the tent should spread outward like the body of a dragon.

枝葉不多關峽少，卻有護衛隨身傍。帶旌帶節來擁護，旌節之峰多是雙。更有刀劍同護送，刀劍送後前圓岡。離蹤斷多處失脈，拋梭馬跡蛛絲長。梭中自有絲不斷，蜂腰過處多趨蹌。

The branch of the Great Gate Dragon has few leaves and few ridges, yet it is always accompanied by protective mountains nearby. Mountains shaped like banners and scepters cluster around it, and such banner-like peaks usually appear in pairs. There are also mountains shaped like swords and spears accompanying it, with the sword-shaped mountains following behind, while a rounded hill is in front. The places where it has broken away from its original path are most prone to losing its energy flow. The shape of the over-ridge is like a thrown shuttle, like a horse's hoofprint, or like a thin strand of spider silk. Within the shuttle-like form, there is a continuous line. At the narrow, waist-like constriction of the ridge, the energy flow tends to be unsteady, moving with hesitation and fluctuation.

自是此星性尊貴，護送此星來就體。每逢跌斷過處時，兩傍定有衣冠吏。衣冠之吏以圓峰，兩傍有腳衛真龍。若是獨行無護衛，定作神祠佛道宮。平行穿珠行數量，忽數又作方峰起。方峰直去如橋扛，背長頗類平尖貪。

Because the star of Guimen has a noble nature, it is escorted by many mountains to return to its original form. Whenever it breaks and turns, there must be small hills like "cloaked officials" standing on both sides.the so-called cloaked officials refer to small round peaks, with feet growing on both sides to guard the true dragon. If Guimen walks alone without any protection, it can only form the site of a shrine, temple, or Daoist temple. When it is parallel, it looks like a string of beads, one after another. After counting several, it suddenly rises a square peak. This square peak goes straight, resembling a horizontal bar used to build a bridge; this long square peak resembles the flat and sharp bodies of Ganlang.

平尖貪狼如一字，生在山頂如臥蠶。武曲倒從身中出，貪狼直去如僧參。夾輔護龍次第列，正龍在內左右函。此龍住處無高壠，間生窩穴隱深潭。獨在山峽中間者，穴落高岡似草菴。四圍要高來朝護，前案朝迎亦高舞。卻作高穴似人形，按斂端嚴似真武。

The Ping body and Jian body of the Tanlang resemble the character '一' when viewed sideways, and when they appear on a mountain peak, they look like a lying silkworm. The Wuqu instead emerges from the middle of this dragon's body, while Tanlang goes straight forward, resembling a monk raising his hands in reverence. The mountains on both sides, which support and guard, are arranged in order, with the main dragon in the center, enclosed by the two sides. The place where this dragon forms a burial site does not have a high ridge, but often has a small hollow, hidden beside a deep pond. If it is alone in the middle of a mountain pass, the burial site is on a high hill, resembling a small thatched hut. At this time, the surrounding mountains must rise high to pay homage and protect, and the case mountains in front must also rise high to welcome and dance. Thus, a burial site on a high place is formed, resembling a person sitting upright, with a solemn and restrained posture, like the image of the True Martial Deity.

此龍若行三十里，內起方峰止三四。峰峰端正方與長，不肯欹斜失尊體。峰上忽然生摺痕，此與廉貞何以異。凡起星辰不許斜，更嫌生腳照他家。端峰若生四花穴，花穴端嚴要君別。真龍直去向前行，四向謾成龍虎穴。

This great gate dragon, if it travels thirty li, will produce only a few peaks along the way, no more than three or four. Each peak is upright, square and elongated, absolutely not leaning or slanting, which would lose its noble dignity. If sudden wrinkles and cracks appear on the peaks, they would be indistinguishable from the 'Lianzhen' star. All stars that appear must not be slanted, and it is especially forbidden for them to branch out to serve other ridges. If the upright square peaks produce 'four flower pits', these flower pits appear dignified on the surface, so you must carefully distinguish them: the true dragon actually proceeds straight forward, and the dragon and tiger pits formed on all four sides are merely false combinations.

此是武曲鉗峽來，間氣來此偶生峽。此龍誤了幾多人，定來此處說真形。要說四花穿心過，但看護衛不曾停。尊星自有尊星體，方正為屏將相位。巨門行龍少鬼劫，蓋緣兩傍多羅列。水界分處夾龍行，不肯單行走空缺。水界分及亂生枝，枝葉雖多夾水隨。護龍亦自有背面，背後如壁面平夷。

This dragon comes with a钳-shaped pass, and the mixed qi here accidentally forms a pass. This dragon has misled many people—when they arrive here, they immediately conclude it is a true qi site. To determine whether this four-flower site is passing through the center, just look at whether the protective mountains have stopped: if the protective mountains continue without stopping, it indicates that the dragon is still moving. The body of the尊星 has its own form, square and like a screen, indicating the position of ministers and generals. The dragon of 巨门 rarely has ghost mountains or calamitous qi, because there are many protective mountains on both sides. The water boundary separates, and the dragon walks along with it, and the dragon will never walk alone in an unprotected place. When the water boundary is divided, it also branches out randomly, although the branches are numerous, they all follow the water and walk along with the dragon. The protective mountains for the dragon also have their own back side: the back is like a wall, while the front is flat and gentle.

平夷便是貼龍體，龍過之時形怪異。不起尖圓即馬旗，攢劍糹番龍歸此地。護衛纏繞如打圍，重重包裹外山歸。至令巨門少關峽，護送無容左右離。明堂斷定無斜瀉，橫案重重拜舞低。平貪覆巨圓武曲，尖圓方整不能齊。三星尖圓方整處，向此辯別無狐疑。識龍須識辨疑處，識得真龍是聖師。

The flat and level side is the one adjacent to the true dragon. When the true dragon passes through, the protective mountains often take strange shapes: they do not form sharp or round peaks, but instead appear as horse or flag forms. Mountains that gather like swords or wave like banners all converge here (「纟番」is the original character used in the source text, meaning banner, and is transcribed as is). The surrounding mountains encircle and guard like hunters surrounding their prey, layer upon layer, enclosing it tightly. Outer mountains also gather together. Therefore, the giant gate dragon rarely has open passes or gorges. The mountains that guard the dragon do not allow the sides to scatter or separate. The bright hall is decisive and will not tilt or slope. The case mountains that lie across horizontally are layered one after another, bowing low like in a respectful dance. Flat-topped ones are the greedy wolf dragon, those that cover like a bell are the giant gate dragon, and those that are round are the military virtue dragon. The three have distinct characteristics of sharp, round, and square, each clearly different. In these clear distinctions of sharp, round, and square, one can discern the three stars without doubt. To recognize the dragon, one must be able to discern the difficult and ambiguous aspects. Only those who can truly recognize the dragon are considered sages.

祿存之形如頓鼓，下生有腳如瓜瓠。瓜瓠頭前有小峰，此是祿存帶祿處。大如螃蟹小蜘蛛，此是祿存帶殺處。殺中若有橫磨斂，此是權星先出武。大龍大峽百十程，寶殿龍樓去無數（峽口微平曰殿）。忽履仁等入長垣（長坦如城），萬仞不圍君莫顧。痴師偷眼傍睥睨，曉者默然佯不睹。若然尖腳亂如茅，喚作蚩尤旗爪距（天上有蚩尤旗星）。小圓帶祿圍本身，將相公侯出方虎。

The form of "Lúcún" resembles a drum that is suddenly placed down, with feet growing out from beneath it, shaped like a gourd. In front of the gourd-shaped feet, there is another small peak, which is the place where "Lúcún" is said to carry "Lù" (favor). If the feet are large like a crab or small like a spider, that is where "Lúcún" carries "Shā" (harm). Among those carrying "Shā," if there is a shape resembling a broadsword, it is called "Quán Xīng" (authority star), and it will first produce a person of military prestige. As the great dragon and great gorge proceed for hundreds of miles, there are countless dragon palaces and halls (note: a gorge mouth that is slightly flat is called a "dian"). Suddenly reaching a mountain of benevolence and righteousness, entering a long wall (note: a long wall stretches like a city wall); if the thousands of仞 high mountains do not form a surrounding embrace, you need not pay attention. Foolish diviners only look sideways and peek, while true masters remain silent and pretend not to see. If the sharp feet are disorderly like straw, it is called "Chī Yóu Qí Zhǎo Jù" (Chī Yóu's flag claws and feet) (note: there is a star called "Chī Yóu Qí" in the sky). If there are small, round mountains with the aura of "Lù" surrounding the central mountain, then generals, ministers, dukes, and generals of the tiger's army will emerge.

大抵星辰嫌破碎，不抱本身多作怪。端正龍神須無破，醜惡龍神多破敗。怪形異穴出兇豪，殺戮平民終大壞。草頭作亂因此山，赤族誅夷償命債。只緣龍上有槍，賊旗倒仄非旌幛。旌幢對對端正立，獨立欹仄名□槍。

In general, stars are most忌 (to be broken or fragmented), and if the branches do not return and embrace, they tend to produce strange and abnormal phenomena. A proper dragon mountain must be intact without damage; an ugly dragon mountain often indicates ruin and decline. Strange and peculiar burial sites produce fierce and violent individuals who commit killings and eventually lead to great calamity. Bandit groups often gather and cause disturbances starting from such mountains, resulting in the entire family being executed and paying their debts with their lives. This is because the dragon mountain carries a mountain shaped like a spear — that is the flag of thieves tilted and crooked, not a proper banner. The banner should be paired and upright. If it stands alone and is leaning or tilted, it is called '□ spear' (the original text lacks one character here, so it is recorded without supplementation).

頓鼓微方似武曲，武曲端正下無足。有足周圍真祿存，圓盡方為武曲尊。龍家最要仔細辯，疑似亂真分背面。背似面非豈有真，此是祿存大移轉。凹處是面凸是背，作穴分金過如線。凡看星辰看轉移，轉移須教母顧兒。

The shape of the drum is somewhat square, resembling "Wuqu"; but Wuqu is upright and does not have feet at the bottom. Only those with feet around the sides are true Lushen. Those that are completely round with feet that are fully contained are the noble Wuqu. When examining a dragon, the most important thing is to carefully distinguish: something that seems like one thing but is actually another can easily be mistaken. The key is to clearly distinguish between the back and the face. If it appears to be the front but is actually the back, where would there be a true site? This is precisely where Lushen changes and transforms the most. The concave side is the face, and the convex side is the back; when determining the site, the dividing line of the golden thread is as thin as a hair, and even a slight error leads to a mistake. When observing stars, one must look at their movement and transformation. During the time of transformation, it must be like a mother looking back to care for her child, with the mother mountain looking back at the child mountain.

枝分派別有真種，忽作瓜蔓無東西。十里半程無岡嶺，平陽砂磧煙塵迷。到處君須看水勢，水勢莫問江與溪。只要兩源相夾出，交瑣外結重重圍。祿存好處落平洋，大作方州小鎮縣。坪中時復亂石生，或起橫山或梭面。

Among the various branches and schools, there are genuine types, but they may suddenly become like a gourd vine, spreading east and west without a fixed direction. Sometimes within a distance of ten li, there is no ridge at all, only flat and open fields, sandy wastelands, and dust, causing confusion. In such places, one must look at the water flow. It is not necessary to distinguish whether it is a great river or a small stream; as long as two sources of water flow out between them, forming a tight enclosure, it is sufficient. The benefit of禄存 falling into a flat and level area is that it can form a whole state or a county. Within the flat terrain, there are often sudden outcrops of broken stones, or a single transverse mountain, or a ridge shaped like a shuttle.

此處或有輔弼形，輔弼無枝祿生辨，祿是帝車第二星，也主為文也主兵。九星行龍皆要祿，最要夾貪兼巨軸。或從武曲左右起，此等貴龍看不足。若逢此星遠尋穴，莫向高山尋促局。若遇九星相夾行，只分有足並無足。

Here, the form of auxiliary and minister stars may also appear; auxiliary and minister stars do not have branches, while禄存 has branches, and this is how they are distinguished.禄存 is the second star of the Big Dipper's imperial chariot, which governs both literary affairs and military power. When a dragon line with nine stars runs, it must be flanked by禄存; the best situation is when it is flanked by贪狼 and accompanied by巨门 as the central axis. Some lines start from the left or right of武曲, and such noble dragon lines are endlessly impressive. When encountering the star禄存, one should look for the site far away, not within a small confined mountain area. If the nine stars run together in a mixed manner, the only way to distinguish them is to see whether they have branches or not.

燕雲不嶺出九關，中帶祿存三吉山。高山峽裡多尖秀，也有圓祿生孱巖。君看山須分種類，亂指橫山作正班。祿破二星形無數，也有正形落低處。也有低形上壠頭，雜亂分形君莫誤。形在高嶺為高形，山頂上生祿存星。形在平洋山卓立，頂矮腳手亦橫平。頂上生形頂必正，平地生形腳亂行。請君看我細排列，禍福皆從龍上生。

Along the Yanyun area, there are nine passes among the mountain ranges, with the Lu Cun and San Ji mountains intermingled. In high mountains and deep valleys, there are many sharp and elegant peaks, and also round-headed Lu Cun mountains growing among thin and weak rocks. When looking at mountains, you must first classify them, and not randomly point to a single horizontal mountain and call it the correct form. The shapes of Lu Cun and Po Jun stars are numerous: some have the correct shape but are located in low places, while others have low and small shapes but appear on the hilltops. Their forms are mixed and disorderly, so you must not make mistakes in identifying them. When the form is on a high ridge, it is called a high form, and Lu Cun star grows on the mountain peak. When the form is on a flat plain, it is a solitary peak standing alone, with a short peak and flat hands and feet. When the form is on the peak, the peak must be upright; when the form is on flat land, the feet scatter and spread out. Please look at the following detailed arrangement of these nine Lu Cun forms. The fortune and misfortune all come from the dragon body.

第一祿存如頓鼓，腳手對對隨身去。平行有腳如劍芒，旌節幡幢排次序。此等星辰出大江，中有小貪並小巨。輔弼侍從左右生，隔岸山河遠相顧。此是龍身作州縣，雄據十州並一路。忽然諸山作垣局，更求吉水為門戶。若得吉水為門戶，萬水千山不須做。

The first type of禄存 shape resembles a drum that is suddenly spread out, with hands and feet paired and following the dragon body. When moving parallel, the feet are sharp like sword points, and banners, flags, standards, and pavilions are arranged in order. This type of star often appears near large rivers, with small 贪狼 and small 巨门 interspersed. The auxiliary and supportive mountains rise like attendants on both sides. The mountains across the river look at each other from afar. This is the pattern of the dragon body forming a county or state, capable of dominating ten states and governing a region. If the mountains suddenly form a surrounding enclosure, it further requires good water to serve as the gate and entrance; once good water is obtained as the gate and entrance, there is no need to worry about the rest of the myriad rivers and mountains.

第二祿存如覆釜，腳法如戟周迴布。有腳方為真祿存，無腳方為祿堆巨。此星定是有威權，白手成家積鉅富。第三祿存鶴爪布，兩短中長龍出露。出露定為低小形，隱隱前行忽蹲踞。有穴必生龍虎巧，醜陋穴形龍不住。

The second type of禄存is shaped like an overturned pot, with its feet arranged like a spear spreading out in all directions. Only those with feet are true禄存; those without feet can only be considered as a heap of禄气forming a巨门. This star certainly has authority, indicating someone who starts from nothing and accumulates great wealth. The third type of禄存is like a crane's claw, with the sides short and the middle long, from which the dragon emerges. After emerging, it must be of a low and small shape, subtly advancing forward, then suddenly squatting down. If there is a mound here, it must produce clever dragon and tiger sands; if the mound shape is ugly, then the dragon has not stopped here.

第四祿存肋扇具，腳手又似扛絲勢。此龍只好結神壇，另有星峰生秀氣。第五祿存如懸鶉，破碎箕帚摺無數。此星便是平行星，星平生枝自頂分。此龍只去平中作，橈掉回來斬關做，高山大峽開三路。

The fourth type of禄存 resembles a fan made of ribs, with its limbs looking like holding a thread. This dragon is suitable only for forming in temples and shrines, unless there are other refined star peaks present. The fifth type of禄存 looks like a hanging quail, with broken feathers, resembling a箕 or a broom, and numerous folds. This star is the flat star, with a flat body and branches extending from the top. This dragon can only form in flat areas, or use the sand of a paddle to turn back and "cut the gate" to form. When it reaches high mountains and great gorges, it will split into three paths.

第六祿存落平洋，勢如巨浪橫開張。他星亦有落平者，此星平地亦飛揚。腳擺時復生巨石，石色只是黑與黃。兩傍請看隨龍峽，長短大小宜推詳。護龍轉時看他落，落處當隨水斟酌。右轉皆右不參差，左轉皆左無駁雜。朝迎指正真穴形，左右高低君莫錯。祿存鬼形如披髮，雖曰眾多勢如掠。

The sixth type is when the star禄存 falls in a flat and level area. Its momentum is like a huge wave spreading out horizontally. Other stars may also fall in flat areas, but only this star remains dynamic and fluctuating even when it reaches flat land. Its moving foot often produces large stones, which are either black or yellow in color. The sides should be examined for the dragon's accompanying hills, paying close attention to the length and size of the gully. When the dragon hill turns, observe where it falls, and the location should be considered in relation to the water flow. If it turns to the right, the entire path should turn to the right without being disorderly; if it turns to the left, the entire path should turn to the left without being mixed or impure. The true hill shape is where the facing hill directly points to the front. Do not confuse the left and right or the high and low. The ghost hill of禄存 resembles scattered hair, though there are many of them, their momentum is scattered and chaotic as if looting everywhere.

第七祿存如長蛇，左右無護無攔遮。此龍目作貴龍從，枕在水邊自橫斜。第八祿存在高頂，如載兜鍪有肩領。漸低漸小去作穴，定作窩鉗極端正。此龍號為八貴龍，捉穴真時最昌盛。第九祿存如落花，片片段段水夾砂。不作蛟潭為鬼穴，定作羅星水口遮。

The seventh type of禄存 is like a long snake, with no guards on either side and no obstruction. This dragon can only be regarded as a subordinate of the noble dragon, lying across the water's edge. The eighth type of禄存 is located on a high peak, resembling a helmet on its head, with a shoulder and a collar. It gradually slopes downward and becomes smaller until it forms a nest or a钳 shape. This type is known as the "Eight Noble Dragons." If the site is accurately chosen, it will bring great prosperity. The ninth type of禄存 resembles falling flowers, appearing in pieces or segments, with water and sand intermingled. If it does not form a deep dragon pool or ghostly cave, it must form a Luo Star, blocking the water entrance.

天下山山有祿存，或凶或吉要君分。莫道祿存全不善，大為將相公侯門。要知五嶽真龍落，半是祿破相參錯。大行頂上馬耳峰，祿存身上貪狼龍。泰山頂上有石觀，上有月亭高一半。此是祿存上有貪，如此高峰孰能判。

In the world, every mountain has a禄存, but whether it is凶or吉depends on you to distinguish. Do not say that禄存 is entirely bad; when it is large enough, it can produce ministers, generals, and marquises. You should know that half of the true dragons of the Five Mountains are formed by the mutual mixture and alternation of禄存 and破军. The Ma'er Peak on the top of Taihang Mountain is a贪狼 dragon emerging from禄存. On the top of Mount Tai, there is a stone pavilion, and above the pavilion there is a moon pavilion, rising halfway. This is also禄存 with贪狼 on top—such a high peak, how many people can recognize it?

海中洲渚亦有山，君如論脈應難言。不知地脈連中國，遠出山形在海間。集出青齊為東嶽，過盡平陽大江壑。地絡連延氣勢生，澗水止龍君莫錯。我觀破祿滿天下，九星分變無識者。君如識得祿存星，珍寶連城貴無價。

There are also mountains on islands in the sea. If you want to discuss their origins, it might be difficult to explain clearly. In reality, those lands are not originally connected to the main landmass, but only the mountain shapes are far out in the sea. This ridge gathers in the area of Qingzhou and Qi region, forming Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak. It continues through the plains of Pingyang and deep valleys of great rivers. The earth's network extends continuously, giving rise to its grandeur. Stream water can stop the dragon ridge, so you must not misunderstand this. I see that Pojun and Luchun stars are spread throughout the world, but no one knows how the nine stars change and transform. If you can recognize the Luchun star, its value would be as precious as a treasure worth a thousand pieces of jade.

文曲正形蛇行樣，若作淫邪如撒網。此星柔順最高情，形神恰似生鱔樣。問君如何生此山，定出廉真絕體上。問君如何尋絕體，本宮山上敗絕氣。問君如何尋本宮，寶殿之下初出龍。認得星峰初出面，看得何星細推辨。

The true form of "Wen Qu" is like a snake winding and twisting; if it changes into a debauched shape, it appears like a spread-out net. This star is gentle and compliant, and it values sentiment above all else, with its form and spirit resembling a live eel. If you ask how such a mountain is formed, it must arise from the "Lian Zhen" star's absolute form. If you ask how to find this absolute form, look for the place where the mountain's energy is exhausted and broken in the same sector. If you ask how to find the main mountain, look for the initial outcrop of the mountain ridge beneath the Dragon Hall and Imperial Hall. Recognize the appearance of the star peak when it first emerges, then determine which star it belongs to, and carefully analyze it.

九星皆挾文曲行，若無文曲星無變。變星便看何星多，多者為主分惡善。文曲星柔最易見，每遇旺方生側面。側面成峰身直行，直去多如絲雜線。此星山骨少星峰，若有星峰輔弼同。平地蛇行最為吉，半頂娥眉最得力。

Nine stars travel along the dragon-like ridges, all accompanied by Wen Qu, and without Wen Qu, the stars will not change. After the stars change, one should look at which star appears most frequently; the one that appears most frequently is the main one, and based on this, one can determine whether it is good or bad. Wen Qu is gentle and weak, and is easiest to identify: whenever it meets the direction of its strength, it will branch out sideways. When it branches out sideways to form peaks while continuing straight ahead, the path it takes is mostly fine and delicate, like threads intertwined. The mountain ridges of this star rarely form star peaks; if they do form star peaks, they are similar to Fu Bi. Wen Qu in flat land forming a snake-like shape is most auspicious, and when it forms an eyebrow-like shape on the top of a hill, it is most effective.

若有此星連接生，女作宮嬪后妃職。男家因婦得官班，又得資財並美色。凡起星峰必有情，自然連接左右生。若是無峰如鱔樣，死龍散漫空縱橫。縱饒住處有穴形，社壇神廟血食腥。若是作墳並建宅，女插花枝逐客行。男人破家因酒色，女人內亂公訟庭。變出瘵癆鬼怪病，令人冷退絕人丁。

If there is a continuous line of the Wen Qu Star, a woman may become a palace concubine or empress, and a man's family will attain official rank through his wife, along with wealth and beauty. Whenever a star peak appears, it must have affection, naturally forming connections on both sides. If there is no continuous peak, but instead appears like a slippery eel, it is a dead dragon, scattered and aimless. Even if there is a decent pit shape where it stops, it can only be a place for a shrine or temple where people offer sacrifices. If a tomb or house is built here, a woman may run away with someone while wearing flowers; a man will ruin his family through alcohol and lust, while women will cause internal strife leading to legal troubles. It may also bring diseases like consumption and ghostly calamities, causing the family's fortune to decline and the lineage to be cut off.

困龍坪下數十里，忽然卓立星峰起。左右前後忽逢迎，貪巨武輔取次生。只得一峰龍便活，娥眉也變弼形。平行雖云變輔弼，只是低平少威力。若得尊星生一峰，便使柔星為長雄。男人端貌取科第，女人主家權勝翁。

A weak dragon travels for dozens of miles beneath a flat plain, then suddenly rises up a star peak. The surrounding mountains suddenly come to greet it, with the stars Tannu, Jumeng, Wuqu, and Zuofu emerging one after another. If this peak is obtained, the entire dragon becomes alive; even the delicate Wenqu star transforms into the shape of Youbi. If a noble star is able to produce one peak, it can transform a weak star into a dominant one. This results in a man having a proper appearance and being able to achieve scholarly success, while a woman becomes the head of the household, holding power over her father-in-law.

大抵尋龍少全格，雜出星峰多變易。弼星似巨輔似文，長短高低細辨識。莫道凶龍不可裁，也有凶龍起家國。蓋緣未識間星龍，貪中有廉文有弼。武有破軍間斷生，祿存或有巨武力。十里之中卓一峰，小者成大弱成雄。

In general, finding a qualified dragon mountain is rare, as star peaks are mixed and there are many variations. The right minister may appear like the great gate, and the left minister may seem like the literary general. One must carefully distinguish them by their length, height, and form. Do not think that凶 dragons are not suitable for selection; there are also凶 dragons that can establish families and nations. This is because people do not recognize the concept of 'intermediate star dragons': within the greedy wolf there is a mixture of the chaste zhen, within the literary general there is a mixture of the right minister, within the military general there is a break caused by the broken general, and within the禄存 there may also be the power of the great gate and the military general. As long as there is a peak rising within ten li, a small one can become large and a weak one can become strong.

此星龍家間星法，大頓小伏為真蹤。一山便斷為一代，看在何代生間斷。便向此星定富貴，困弱生旺隨星峰。困弱這龍無氣力，死鱔煙炮入砂礫。千里百里無從山，獨自單行少妝拾。君如識得間星龍，到處鄉村可尋覓。龍非久遠少全氣，易盛易衰非人力。

This is the method of identifying the "intermediate star" in the Dragon family: a sudden rise in the large scale and a hidden descent in the small scale indicate the true trail. Each time a mountain breaks, it represents one generation. By observing which section the break occurs in, one can determine which generation it corresponds to. Thus, based on this star, one can judge wealth and status: whether the dragon is confined and weak or flourishing and vigorous, everything depends on the star and peak. A confined and weak dragon has no strength, resembling a dead eel or a extinguished firecracker, sinking its head into the sand. Within hundreds or thousands of miles, there is no mountain following it, it walks alone, and lacks embellishment and refinement. If you can recognize the intermediate star dragon, you can find it everywhere in the countryside. However, such dragons do not last long, their energy is incomplete and insufficient, making them easy to flourish and easy to decline; this is not something that human effort can reverse.

廉貞如何號獨火？此星得形最高大。高山項上石嵯峨，傘摺犁頭裂絲破。只緣尖焰聳天庭，其性炎炎號火星。起作龍樓並寶殿，貪巨武曲因此生。古人深識廉貞體，喚作紅旗並曜氣。此星威烈屬陽精，高焰赤黑峰頭起。

Why is "Lianzhen" called "Dúhuǒ" (Solo Fire)? Because the form of this star is the most towering. On the top of a high mountain, the jagged rocks are rugged, resembling folded umbrellas, plowshares, or torn threads. It is precisely because it rises sharply like a flame reaching the heavens, with a fierce and fiery nature, that it is called the Mars star. When it rises, it forms the Dragon Hall and the Palace Hall, and the stars Tanlang, Jumen, and Wuqu all originate from it. Ancient people deeply understood the nature of Lianzhen, referring to it as "Red Flag" and "Radiant Qi." This star is fierce and resolute, belonging to the essence of yang, with a high flame-like peak that rises with a reddish-black color.

高尖是樓平是殿，請君來此細推辨。亂峰頂上亂石間，此處名為聚講山。聚講既成即分去，分宗拜祖迢迢路。尋蹤尋跡更尋兒，龍來此處最堪疑。卻來此處橫生嶂，形如帳幕開張樣。二重入帳一重出，四重五重如巨浪。

High and sharp ones are called "Long Lou," while flat and broad ones are called "Bao Dian." Please come here and carefully examine and distinguish them. On the top of the chaotic peaks and among the scattered rocks, this area is called "Ju Jiang Shan." Once the Ju Jiang has formed, the various ridges branch off and go their own ways, each tracing back to their ancestral mountains, traveling far and far. One must follow the trail all the way to find the mountains that are their descendants; the dragon comes to this place, which is most confusing and difficult to determine. It branches out here again, forming another ridge that looks like a tent spread open. Two layers entering the tent, one layer exiting, four or five layers overlapping, resembling continuous great waves.

嶂中有線穿心行，帳不穿心不入相。帳幕多時貴亦多，一重只是富豪樣。兩帳兩幕是真龍，帳裡貴人最為上。帳中隱隱仙帶飛，帶舞低垂主興旺。天關地軸兩邊迎，異石龜蛇過處往。高山頂上有池水，兩邊夾得真龍行。

In the middle of the Zhang mountain, there is a line-like vein running straight through the center; if a tent is not pierced through the center, it cannot produce a prime minister. The more layers of tents there are, the more noble energy there is; only one layer indicates the appearance of a wealthy family. Two tents and two pavilions are true dragons, and the noble person with a vein within the tent is the highest quality. Within the tent, there is a subtle vein resembling a silk ribbon flying out, and the low hanging and dancing of the belt vein indicates prosperity. On both sides, there are 'Heavenly Gate' and 'Earthly Axis' welcoming it, and strange stones resembling turtles and snakes, through which the vein passes. High mountains have pools of water at the top, with the true dragon passing between them.

問君高頂何生水，此是真龍頂上氣。樓殿之上水泉生，水還兩處兩邊迎。真龍卻向泉中過，也有單池在傍抱。單池終不及兩池，池若傾崩反生禍。池平兩水夾又清，此處名為天漢星。天漢天潢入閣道，此星入相居天庭。更有衛龍在高頂，水貼龍身入深井，更無水出可追尋，或有蒙泉如小鏡。

You asked why water can appear on the top of a high mountain. That is actually the gathering of life qi on the true dragon's peak. On the dragon palace and treasure hall, spring water arises, and the water divides into two parts, coming from both sides to welcome it. The true dragon passes through the middle of the spring water; there are also cases where the dragon embraces a single pool. A single pool is not as good as two pools. If the pool water overflows and becomes broken, it brings misfortune. When the pool surface is calm, the two streams enclose it and the water is clear, this place is called "Tianhan Xing." The qi of Tianhan and Tianhuang connects with the stars of Ge dao, and such a star entering the court will be a prime minister, and if it is in the heavenly court, it will be of high rank. There are also guardian dragons on the high peak, with water flowing along the dragon's body into a deep well-like place, and no water flows out to be traced. Sometimes only a small pool of misty spring remains, small like a mirror.

看他辭樓並下殿，出帳聳起生何形。應星生處別立形，此是分枝劈脈證。祖宗分了分兄弟，來此分貪識真性。分貪之處莫令差，差謬一毫千里迥。筍峰貪狼縱橫計，鍾釜枕梭武輔弼。方峰是為巨門程，最要來辨嫡庶行。嫡庶不失出帳形，便是龍家五吉星。廉貞惡石眾所畏，不曉真陽火裡精。

Looking at it as it departs from the dragon pavilion, descends from the palace hall, and rises after leaving the tent, one should observe its shape. When the corresponding "responding star" emerges, it forms another shape, which serves as evidence of the branching and splitting of the ridge lines. Once the ancestral mountain has been separated, it then branches out into the mountains of brothers. At the point where the Tanchang star is divided, one can see the true nature. It is crucial not to make any mistakes in identifying the Tanchang star; a slight error can lead to a vast difference. A sharp peak resembling a bamboo shoot is considered the Tanchang star, while peaks shaped like a bell, a cooking pot, a pillow, or a shuttle belong to the Wugǔ and Fubì stars. Square-shaped peaks indicate the path of the Jumen star. Most importantly, one must clearly distinguish between the legitimate and the illegitimate: if the legitimate and illegitimate are correctly identified and match the shape after leaving the tent, then it is the "five auspicious stars" of the dragon family. The Lianzhen mountain is covered with evil stones, causing fear among people, but they do not realize that it is actually the essence of the true yang fire.

此龍多向南方落，北上眾山驚錯愕。低頭斂衽山朝來，莫向他方妄參錯。凡是星峰皆有石，若是土山全無力。廉貞獨火氣沖天，石骨稜層平處覓。廉貞不生吉星峰，定隔江河作應龍。朝迎必應數百里，遠望鼓角聲鼕鼕。

Lianzhen mountains usually run towards the south, and the mountains to the north are startled and pale in comparison. They bow their heads and lower their robes as if paying homage, coming forward in a respectful manner. You should not mistakenly interpret them in other directions. All star peaks should be accompanied by stone, and if they are purely earth mountains, they have no strength. Lianzhen has a fiery energy that rises straight to the heavens, with stone-like ridges and layers. One should look for its flow in flat and gentle areas. If Lianzhen does not produce a peak of a fortunate star, it must cross rivers and lakes to connect with the "Yinglong" elsewhere. Its facing and responding can be as far as hundreds of miles away, and when viewed from afar, its气势 is like the sound of gongs and drums echoing continuously.

凡見廉貞高聳石，便上頂頭看遠跡。細認真龍此處生，華蓋穿心正龍出。此龍最貴難尋覓，五吉要聳華蓋出。此等真龍不易逢，華蓋三峰品字立。兩肩分作兩護龍，此是兄弟同祖宗。兄弟便為纏護龍，前迎後送生雌雄。

Whenever one sees a stone peak that is tall and sharp like Lianzhen, one should climb to the top to observe the distant ridge lines. Carefully discerning, the true dragon originates exactly here: the one that passes through the center of the "Huagai" formation is the genuine dragon. This kind of dragon is the most valuable but also the hardest to find; it must have five auspicious stars towering high, and the ridge must emerge from beneath the Huagai. Such a true dragon is rare to encounter—Huagai consists of three peaks arranged in a character "品" shape, with two shoulders each producing two protective ridges, which represent brothers sharing the same ancestral origin. The mountains of the brothers serve as the encircling and protecting dragons, with one in front to welcome and one behind to send off, thus distinguishing between male and female dragons.

雌若為龍雄作應，雄若為龍雌聽命。問君如何辨雌雄，高低肥瘠瘦不同。低肥為雌雄高瘠，只求此處識蹤跡。隨龍身上有正峰，時作星峰拜祖宗。但看護送似回龍，又有迎龍如虎踞。

If the female mountain becomes the main dragon, the male mountain will be opposite to respond; if the male mountain becomes the main dragon, the female mountain will bow in submission. How do you distinguish between male and female? Look at their differences in height and thickness: low and thick ones belong to the female, high and thin ones belong to the male. Only in this aspect can you recognize their traces. Along the dragon's mountain, there is a main peak that constantly forms star peaks and turns back to pay homage to the ancestral mountain. Just observe the protective mountain like a dragon turning back, and the welcoming mountain like a tiger crouching.

隨龍山水皆朝揖，狐疑來處失蹤跡。水口重重生異石，定有羅星當水立。羅星外面有山關，上生下生細尋覓。蓋緣羅星有真假，真假天然非人力。羅星旁水便生石，羅星端正最高職。

The mountain and water surrounding the site all bow towards thesite, but the source of the dragon is suspicious and easily lost. Between the water mouths, strange stones appear, indicating the presence of a "Luo Star" standing in the water. Outside the Luo Star, there are mountains acting as barriers. Whether the Luo Star is upstream or downstream needs careful search. This is because Luo Stars can be genuine or false, and their authenticity comes naturally, not by human effort. When the Luo Star is by the water's edge, stones naturally form. A properly formed Luo Star indicates the highest official rank.

廉貞多生顧祖龍，祖龍遠遠是朝峰。更有鬼腳回顧處，護送須生十數里。送龍之山短有後，抱山不抱左右手。纏龍纏過龍虎前，三重五重福延綿。纏多不許外山走，那堪長遠作水口。護送托龍若十全，富貴雙全真罕有。尋龍千萬看纏山，一重纏是一重關。關門若有千重鎖，定有王侯居此間。

Lianzhen is often accompanied by "Gu Zu Long," where the ancestral mountain is far away and becomes the facing peak in front of the site. There are also places where the ghost foot turns back to look, and the protective mountains should extend for several miles. Although the mountains that send the dragon are short, they have support behind them; the embracing mountains only embrace the main body, not the left and right sides. The winding mountains that surround the dragon pass in front of the dragon and tiger sands, and if there are three or five layers, the blessings will be long-lasting. If there are many winding mountains, they must not allow outer mountains to escape, and moreover, they can extend far to form the water mouth. If the protective mountains and the ones that support the dragon are very complete, this is a pattern of both wealth and honor, which is indeed rare. When searching for a dragon, one must pay close attention to the winding mountains: one layer of winding mountain is one layer of gate. If there are thousands of layers of gates locked, there must be a prince or a marquis living there.

廉貞已具貪狼內，更述此篇為詳載。有人曉得紅旗星，遠有威權近凶怪。權星斬砍得自由，不統兵權不肯體。若遇廉貞不起石，腳下也須生石壁。石壁是背面是平，平處尋龍出蹤跡。貪巨武輔弼星行，出身生處是真星。

The principle of Lianzhen has already been explained in the section on Tanlang. Here, we provide a more detailed account. If someone understands the "Red Flag Star," they will know that it appears imposing from a distance but seems ominous up close. It is a star that controls life and death, with the power to cut and strike. It will not remain content if it is not given command of military authority. If Lianzhen appears but there is no stone rising on the mountain, then there must be a stone wall beneath its feet. One side of the stone wall is the back, and the other side is flat. To find the dragon, one must search on the flat side. Tanlang, Juming, Wuqu, Zuofu, and Youbi all come from their original birthplaces, and those are the true star bodies.

博龍換處有九段，此是公侯將相庭。紅旗氣雄威武在，行兵出師駭妖怪。權星威福得自轉，縱入文階亦武威。廉良一變貪巨武，文武全才登宰輔。廉貞不作變換星，潔身亂倫弒君父。

The dragon passes through nine segments where it undergoes transformation, which signifies the emergence of noble families and officials of high rank. The red flag star exhibits a grand and mighty appearance, constantly displaying authority, indicating leadership in military campaigns, capable of subduing even supernatural creatures. The power and fortune of this star are self-generated, so even if it enters the ranks of civil officials, it still carries the aura of military strength. If the star Lianzhen becomes benevolent, it can transform into the stars Ganlang, Jumen, and Wuqu, resulting in the emergence of individuals who excel in both literary and military skills, achieving high positions in the government. However, if Lianzhen remains unyielding and does not transform into auspicious stars, it will only focus on self-purification, disrupting the natural order, and even commit regicide or patricide.

武曲星峰覆鍾釜，鍾釜之形有何故。鍾高釜矮事不同，高即為武矮為輔。二者雖然皆吉星，大小不容有差互。武曲端嚴富貴牢，輔弼隨龍厚薄取。真龍若行五六程，臨落之時剝輔星。如梭如印如皎月，三三兩兩牽聯行。

The star peak of Wuqu is shaped like an inverted bell or a cooking pot. Why is it compared to a bell or a pot? Because the bell is tall and the pot is short, and each represents different characteristics: the tall one is Wuqu, and the short one is Zuofu. Although both are auspicious stars, their differences in size should not be confused. Wuqu is dignified and solemn, indicating wealth and stability; Fu Bi, on the other hand, depends on the thickness of the dragon ridge to determine its form. When the true dragon has traveled five or six sections and is nearing the termination point, it transforms into the auxiliary star. At this time, the mountain shape resembles a loom shuttle, a seal, or a bright full moon, with groups of two or three connected and proceeding together.

前關後峽相引從，峽若多時龍猛勇。博到輔星三四重，仔細來此認龍蹤。貪巨若無輔弼落，高嶺如何住得龍。雖然輔弼是入穴，作穴隨形又不同。穴隨土峰作鉗乳，形神大小隨龍宗。圓龍忽然長拖腳，恐是鬼龍如覆杓。覆箕仰掌是鬼龍，莫來此處失真蹤。請君細認前頭穴，莫使參前失後空。

Before there is a concern, and behind there is a ravine, the path leads continuously and follows along; when there are many ravines, it indicates the dragon's strong and fierce momentum. When the transformation reaches the auxiliary stars of three or four layers, one must carefully recognize the dragon's trail here. If the greedy wolf and the great gate do not have the auxiliary ministers to form the ridge, how can the dragon stay on the high hill? Although it is said that the dragon should fall into the auxiliary ministers to form the site, the site formation varies according to different body shapes. The site follows the shape of the soil peak, forming a clamp shape or a breast shape; the form, spirit, and size should all be based on the dragon it follows. If a round dragon suddenly extends a long foot, it might be a ghost dragon, resembling an overturned spoon. An overturned basket and an uplifted palm are all forms of ghost dragons; do not choose such places, or you will lose the true trail. Please carefully recognize the site ahead, and do not just focus on the front and neglect the back.

問君何以知我落，看他尾後圓峰作。問君知我如何行，尾星搖動不曾停。前官後鬼須細辨，鬼克我身居後面。官星克我在前朝，此是龍家官鬼現。真龍落處陰陽亂，五行官鬼無相戰。水龍博到火龍出，鬼在後頭官出面。

You asked how to know that the dragon has already fallen? Look to see if there is a round hill formed behind its tail. You asked how to know that the dragon is still moving? Look to see if the star at its tail is still shaking continuously. The front "official" and the back "ghost" must be carefully distinguished: the "ghost" refers to the mountain that overcomes me, located behind the pit; the "official" refers to the mountain that overcomes me, facing the pit. This is what is called the manifestation of official and ghost in the dragon's line. The true dragon's falling pulse is where yin and yang are mixed and confused, and the five phases' official and ghost do not actually fight each other. For example, when a water dragon changes to a fire dragon and emerges, the ghost is behind and the official is in front.

坎山來龍作午丁，卻把地羅差使轉。此是陰陽雜五行，不是龍家官鬼辨。龍家不要論五行，且從龍看分脈上。龍奪脈時是鬼氣，鬼氣不歸龍上行。大抵正龍無鬼山，有鬼不出半里間。橫龍出穴必有鬼，送跳翻身穴後環。

The dragon coming from the Kan direction is considered to face the Wu and Ding directions, so some people turn the compass to force an explanation. This is mixing yin and yang into the Five Phases, and not following the original meaning of identifying the dragon's official and ghost mountains. Observing the dragon does not require considering the Five Phases; one should only look at the form and structure of the dragon's body. When the dragon's energy is taken away by another place, that branch is considered ghost energy; ghost energy does not return to the dragon. Generally, the main dragon that falls directly does not have a ghost mountain; even if there is a ghost mountain, it is not more than half a li away. A horizontal dragon that forms a tomb must have a ghost mountain. The ghost mountain sends out, jumps up, turns around, and protects the tomb from behind.

鬼山若長奪長氣，鬼短貼身如抱攔。問君如何謂之鬼，主山背後撐者是。分枝劈脈不回頭，奪我正身少全氣。真龍穴後如有鬼，山短枝多為雉尾。此是真龍穴後星，星辰亦有尖圓體。正龍穴後若有鬼，只只回頭來護衛。

If the ghost mountains are long, they will steal the dragon's vital energy; if the ghost mountains are short and close to the body of the site, they appear to embrace and protect it, which is favorable. You ask what is meant by "ghost mountains"? They are the mountains extending outward behind the main mountain. They branch off and split their ridges without returning, thus stealing the vital energy of the main body and making the true energy incomplete. If there are ghost mountains behind a true dragon site, they should be short with many branches, resembling the tail of a wild chicken. This is the star form behind a true dragon site, and such stars also come in sharp and round shapes. If there are ghost mountains behind a properly falling dragon site, they must all turn back to guard the site.

若不回頭衛本身，此是空亡歇滅地。問君何者是空亡，穴後卷空仰瓦勢。便從鬼上細尋覓，鬼山星峰少收拾。真龍身上護衛多，山山多情來拱揖。護衛貼體不敢離，中有泉池暗流入。要識真龍鬼山短，緣有纏龍在後股。

If the ghost mountain does not turn back to guard itself, then this place is a site of emptiness and decay. You ask what "empty" means? It refers to the situation where the back of the site is hollow and unsupported, like an upside-down tile flipping outward. To determine this, examine the ghost mountain carefully: the star peaks of the ghost mountain are usually scattered and disordered, with no order or cohesion. True dragons are always well guarded, with mountains that all express affection and bow respectfully. The guardians are closely attached to the dragon body and dare not leave, with springs and pools quietly flowing in between. Understand that the reason the ghost mountain of a true dragon is short is because there is another winding dragon behind it providing protection, so it does not need the ghost mountain to support it.

既有纏龍貼護身，不許鬼山空散漫。鬼山真去投江海，真龍氣絕散漫多。如戟如矛亂走去，包裹無由奈他何。龍若無纏又無送。縱有真龍不堪用。護纏多愛到穴前，三重五重福綿延。一重護衛一代富，護衛十里宰相地。

Since there is a coiling dragon closely attached for protection, the ghost mountain must not extend outward carelessly. If the ghost mountain really stretches out continuously toward the river or sea, then the true dragon's energy will be cut off, and there will be many scattered branches. These scattered branches will go in disorderly directions like spears and halberds, making it impossible to contain or manage them, so there is no way to deal with them. If a dragon has neither protective mountains nor sending mountains, even if it is a true dragon, it is not useful. The protective mountains that wrap around should ideally reach before the tomb, with three or five layers bringing continuous blessings. One layer of protection corresponds to the wealth of one generation, and if the protective mountains extend continuously for ten miles, it is the land where prime ministers are born.

兩重亦作典磚城，一重只出丞簿尉。鬼山亦自有真形，形隨三吉輔弼類。九星皆有鬼形樣。不類本身不入相。貪狼鬼星必尖小，武曲鬼星枝葉少。多作圓峰覆杓形，撐住在後最為妙。巨門墜珠玉枕形，貪作天梯背後生。

A double layer of protection can produce officials responsible for a state or a city, while a single layer can only produce minor officials such as county magistrates, clerks, and county commanders. The true form of a ghost mountain is determined by the three auspicious directions and the auxiliary and supportive directions, each forming their own category. Each of the nine stars has its own form of ghost shape; if the ghost shape does not match the star itself, it cannot produce a prime minister. The ghost star of the Greedy Wolf is necessarily sharp and small, while the ghost star of the Martial Curve has sparse branches, often forming round peaks or inverted ladles, which are most effective when placed behind the site. The ghost shape of the Great Gate resembles a falling pearl or a jade pillow, while the ghost shape of the Greedy Wolf appears like a heavenly ladder behind the site.

一層一級漸低小，雖然有腳無橫行。巨門多為小橫嶺，托後如屏玉幾正。弼星作鬼如圍屏，或從龍虎後橫生。橫生瓜瓠抱穴後，金斗玉印盤龍形。輔星多為獨節鬼，三對平如寫王字。三對兩對相併行，曲轉護身皆有意。

The ghost mountains of Tanlang descend gradually, each level lower than the previous, though they have their feet, they do not spread out sideways. The ghost mountains of Jumen are mostly small horizontal ridges, resting behind the pit like a screen or like a properly arranged jade stand. When Youbi forms a ghost mountain, it appears as a circle of screens, or grows horizontally from behind the dragon and tiger ridges; the shape resembles a gourd, embracing the pit behind, and also takes the forms of a golden basin, jade seal, or coiled dragon. The ghost mountains of Zuofu are mostly short, independent hills, three pairs standing side by side, resembling the character 'wang'. These ghost mountains, in pairs or groups of two, wind and turn to protect the pit, showing affection everywhere.

廉文破祿本是鬼，不必問他穴後尾。破祿廉文多作關，近關太闊為散關。關門是局有大小，破祿三星多外攔。祿星無祿作神壇，破星不破為近關。善論大地論關局，關局大小水口山。鬼山形向橫龍作，正龍多是平地落。

The four stars, Lianzhen, Wenqu, Pojun, and Luchun, inherently belong to the category of ghosts, so there is no need to inquire further about the tails they trail behind thesite. Among these, Pojun, Luchun, Lianzhen, and Wenqu often serve as barriers. If the nearby barrier is too wide, it is called "San Guan," which fails to block the qi. The concept of a gate is about the overall situation; the size of the situation varies. Pojun, Luchun, and others mostly act as barriers on the periphery. If Luchun does not carry the quality of fortune, it can only form a shrine for spirits. If Pojun does not show signs of fragmentation, it can serve as a nearby barrier. Skilled practitioners of large-scale land assessment first consider the gate situation. The size of the gate depends on the mountain at the water mouth. The shape of the ghost mountain arises from a transverse dragon, while a straight dragon usually falls on flat land.

平地勢如蜈蚣行，卻長便如橈棹形。停棹向前穴即近，發棹向後龍未停。橈棹向後忽峰起，定有真龍居此地。只看護托迴轉時，朝揖在前拜真氣。大抵九星皆有鬼，相類相如各有四。四九三十六鬼形，識鬼便是識真精。

The form of a level ground dragon is like a centipede crawling, and when its branches extend long on both sides, it forms the shape of a "rào zhào" (oar and paddle). If the rào zhào stops and points forward, it indicates that the site is nearby; if the rào zhào spreads out and points backward, it suggests that the dragon has not yet stopped. If the rào zhào points backward but suddenly rises to form a peak, then this place must surely be where a true dragon resides. Just look for the protective and supporting mountains that turn back and face forward, which indicates receiving the true qi. In general, the nine stars all have ghostly forms, and each similar type has four variations, making a total of thirty-six ghostly forms. Recognizing these ghostly forms means recognizing the true essence of the dragon.

問君如何謂之官？朝山背後逆拖山。此是朝山有餘氣，與我穴後鬼一般。官星在前鬼在後，官要回頭鬼要就。官不回頭鬼不就，只是虛抱無落首。龍穴背後有衣裙，此是關闌多舞袖。雖然有袖穴不見，官不離鄉任何愛。

You asked what is called "official mountain" (guan). It refers to the part of the mountain that extends backward from the main mountain behind the site. This is the residual energy of the facing mountain, similar to the ghost mountain behind the site. The official mountain should turn back to face the site, and the ghost mountain should be close to the site. If the official mountain does not turn back or the ghost mountain does not approach closely, then it is just a hollow embrace with no real convergence. If there are mountains like a flowing skirt spreading behind the site, they are barrier hills, resembling fluttering sleeves. Although there are these sleeves, the site remains hidden; this pattern produces officials that only stay within the local area, no matter how much they are favored, they cannot extend far.

真氣聚處看明堂，明堂裡面要平陽。明堂裡面停豬水，第一寬平始為貴。側裂傾堆撞射身，急瀉崩騰非吉地。請君未斷左右山，先向明堂觀水勢。明堂亦有如鍋底，橫號金船龍虎裡。直號天心曲御階，馬蹄直兮有曲勢。

Where the true energy gathers, look at the Bright Hall. Within the Bright Hall, it should be level and open to the sun. There should be water that pools like a pond inside the Bright Hall. What is most important is that it is wide and level, which is considered valuable. If the Bright Hall is slanted, broken, tilted, or piled up, and the water rushes straight toward the tomb site, flowing quickly and violently, then it is not a good site. Please do not hurry to determine the left and right mountain ridges first; instead, first examine the water flow in the Bright Hall. The Bright Hall can also be shaped like the bottom of a pot: a horizontal one is called "Jin Chuan" (Golden Ship), hidden within the dragon and tiger ridges; a vertical one is called "Tian Xin" (Heaven's Center); a winding one is called "Yu Jie" (Imperial Steps); and a shape like a horse's hoof, although straight, also carries a slight curve.

明堂要似蓮花水，蕩歸左位長公起。蕩歸右處小公興，若居中心諸位貴。大抵明堂橫為貴，其次之玄關鎖是。蕩蕩直去不回頭，雖似御階非吉地。明堂要如衣領會，左紐右衤貴方為貴。或是曰隴與山腳，如此關闌真可喜。

The water in the Bright Hall should be like lotus petals, layered and embracing. If the water flows to the left, the eldest son's branch will flourish; if it flows to the right, the younger sons will prosper; if it gathers in the center, all branches will be esteemed. Generally, the Bright Hall is most favorable when it is horizontal, and the next best is when the water meanders in a zigzag or winding pattern, forming a lock-like structure. If the water flows straight and unimpeded without turning back, even though its shape resembles an imperial staircase, it is not a favorable site. The Bright Hall should be like the collar of a robe meeting together, with the left side resembling a button and the right side like a belt knot, which is considered auspicious (the original character is 「衤贵」, meaning a belt knot, and is transcribed as such). Alternatively, if there are ridges of earth or mountain foot extending in front to block the view, such a barrier is truly favorable.

忽然橫前無關鎖，地劫風吹吉利。請君來此細消詳，更分前官並後鬼。左脅生來笏樣，右脅生來魚袋形。方長為象短為水，小巧是金肥是銀。看此樣形臨局勢，中間乳穴是為真。賜帶鬼形如瓜瓠，二條連移左轉去。回頭貼來侍從官，前案橫交金玉盤。玉盤賜將金盤相，左右在人心眼上。重數如多賜亦多，一重數是金屏帶。

If the front of the site is suddenly open without any closure, the earth energy will be stolen away and the wind will scatter it, making it impossible to be auspicious. The mountain shape on the left side resembles a hand-held jade tablet, and the mountain shape on the right side resembles a hanging fish bag. These kinds of sandy forms that are square and long are called ivory tablets, while those that are short are called water buffalo horns. Small ones belong to metal, and thick ones belong to silver. By observing these shapes, the true site located in the center is the true nest. The ghost shapes like "granting belt" resemble gourds, connected together and turning to the left. Those that turn back to be close to the site are the attendants, and the mountain in front that crosses horizontally resembles a golden or jade plate. A jade plate indicates granting military rank, while a golden plate indicates being appointed as prime minister. Whether it should be on the left or the right depends entirely on one's discernment. The more layers there are, the more rewards there will be: one layer is called "golden screen belt."

二重是屏三金帶，橫轉穴前官轉大。子孫三代垂魚袋，右上三魚虎身外。三代子孫賜金帶，三重橫盤龍外生。四重即是賜金玉，重數如多福最深。此是龍家賜帶鬼，莫將龍向左邊臨。玉幾方屏武曲形，身後是几几外屏。幾屏須要問先後，未有屏先幾後生。幾屏如在後頭托，此是公侯將相庭。

Two layers of the form are called screen, three layers are called gold belt; when they spread horizontally in front of the site, the official rank they indicate becomes greater. If the descendants of three generations all have fish bags hanging, it is because three fish bag shapes are formed outside the right tiger hill. If the descendants of three generations all receive gold belts, it is because three layers of horizontal forms are formed outside the dragon hill. Four layers mean being granted both gold and jade, and the more layers there are, the deeper the blessing. This is what the dragon family refers to as the "granting belt ghost," so do not force the dragon to be entirely on the left side. "Jade several" and "square screen" are both forms of Wu Qu. Behind the site body is the "several," and outside the "several" is the "screen." The order of "several" and "screen" should be clearly determined, there has never been a case where the screen comes first and then the several. If both the "several" and the "screen" are supported behind the site, this indicates a family that produces generals and ministers.

破軍星峰如走旗，前頭高卓尾後低。兩傍失險落坑陷，壁立反裂形傾欹。不知此星出六府，上有三臺遠為祖。然後生出六曜星，貪巨祿文廉武輔。三臺星辰號三階，六星兩兩魚眼挨。雙尖雙圓如貪巨，卻在絕頂雙安排。

The star peak called "Pòjūn" resembles a flag in motion, with its front high and prominent, and its tail low and drooping. On both sides, it loses its steepness and sinks into depressions, with the mountain walls standing straight and the back splitting open, forming a leaning and slanting shape. People do not know that this star originates from the "Liufu" (Six Palaces). Above the Six Palaces are the "Santai" (Three Platforms), which serve as its distant ancestors. From these, the six luminaries are generated, namely Tān láng, Jùmén, Lùcún, Wénqū, Liánzhēn, Wǔqū, and Zuǒfǔ. The Santai stars are known as the "Sānjiē" (Three Stages), while the Liufu stars are paired together like fish eyes in a row. The double peaks resemble Tān láng, and the double round ones resemble Jùmén, both arranged in pairs at the peak of the mountain.

雙尖定出貪狼去，雙圓生出武曲來。上臺中臺下臺出，行到六府文昌臺。文昌六星如偃月，穿星六星似環。平頃上頭生六星，六處微堆作凹凸。凹中微起似六星，生出九星若排列。

The shape of two sharp peaks definitely originates from the Greedy Wolf star, while the shape of two round forms comes from the Martial Curve star. The upper platform, middle platform, and lower platform successively produce lines of energy, continuing along the path to the six ministries and the Wen Chang platform. The Wen Chang six stars form like a half-moon, and the six stars passing through the center form like a chain (this sentence originally had six characters, one is missing, so it is recorded as is). On a gently sloping peak, six small stars arise, with six places slightly raised, forming an alternating convex and concave pattern; the concave areas are also slightly raised, resembling the shape of six stars. The nine stars emerge from here, arranged in sequence.

破軍皆受九星變。逐位生峰形象現。山形在地水在天，真氣下感禍福驗。尊星頓起真形了，枝葉皆是祿存占。尊星雖云有三吉，三吉之餘有輔弼。不知三吉不常生，有處觀來無一實。蓋緣不識破軍星，星說走旗拖尾出。

The star Pojun changes according to the nine stars, and whenever it reaches a position, it forms a peak, each displaying its own form. The mountain shape is on the ground, while the star shape is in the sky. True energy flows from above to below, causing fortune and misfortune to be manifested accordingly. After the noble star suddenly takes its true form, its branches and leaves are occupied by禄存. Although the noble star is said to have three auspicious forms, there are also two auxiliary stars outside the three auspicious ones. People do not realize that the three auspicious forms are not always present, and in many places, there is not even one true form. This is because they do not recognize the form of Pojun star — Pojun is described as resembling a flag in motion, with a long tail trailing behind.

走旗拖尾是真形，若出尊星形變生。與君細論破軍體，逐一隨星種類名。貪狼破軍如頓起，一層一級名天梯。頂尖沖前有巖穴，伸頂猶如雞作啼。頂頭有帶下巖去，引到平處如蛛絲。欲斷不斷馬跡過，東西有顯梭中絲。

The true form of Pojun is called "Zouqi Tuowei" (flag dragging tail); if it originates from the尊星 (honored star), its shape will change and produce different forms. Now I will explain in detail the form of Pojun, classifying and naming it according to the stars it follows. The Pojun transformed by Tanlang resembles steps rising in layers, one after another, called "Tianti" (heavenly steps). The peak is sharp and points forward, with a cave below; the top extends like a rooster stretching its neck to crow. There is a line of energy running down the rock to the flat land, becoming as thin as a spider's silk. It seems to break but does not actually break, like the tracks of a horse's hoof appearing and disappearing; between east and west segments, there is still a thread-like connection remaining.

三吉之星總如此，此處名為吉破地。過坪過水皆如是，定有泉塘兩夾隨。貪下破軍巨門去，去為垣局不須疑。巨門破軍裂十字，頂上微圓欹側取。勢如啄木上高枝，直上高崖石觜露。此星出龍生鼎足，瓜甲巖若雞距。此龍富貴生王侯，五換六移出宰輔。

The stars of the three auspicious origins produce broken military stars in this general way, and such places are called "auspicious broken ground." When they pass over flat land or water, they also appear like this, with springs and ponds necessarily flanking them on both sides. When the broken military star produced by the greedy wolf star transforms into the great gate star, it must form a walled enclosure, and there is no need to doubt this. For the broken military star produced by the great gate star, the mountain body splits like a cross, with the top slightly rounded and slightly tilted. One should take the point of this tilt. Its momentum resembles a woodpecker climbing up a high branch, ascending all the way to a high cliff, revealing a sharp stone tip. At the place where this star originates, there is a shape of three legs standing upright, and the rock's edges resemble the spurs on a chicken's claws. Such a dragon can produce kings and dukes, and after five or six transformations and shifts, it can produce ministers of great importance.

祿存破軍在平頂，兩脅蛇行肋微露。前如大木倒平洋，生幹生枝葉無數。葉中生出嫩枝條，又作高峰下平地。當知為穴亦不遠，護送不來作神宇。武曲破如破櫥櫃，身形臃脹崩形勢。前頭走出雞伸頸，嶺上下來如象鼻。一高一下腳不尖，作穴乳頭出富貴。破軍廉貞高崔嵬，水流關峽聲如雷。輔星破軍如幞頭，兩傍有腳如拋球。弼星破軍如鯉躍，行到平中一時卓。

The禄存 transformed 破军 appears on a flat peak, with two sides like a snake winding and twisting, its branches resembling ribs slightly exposed. In front, it looks like a large tree lying on a flat plain, with many trunks and branches, countless in number. Among the leaves, new branches grow, rising to form high peaks and then falling back to the flat ground. At this point, one should know that the site of the grave is not far away; if the protective mountain does not come to guard, it can only form a temple. The武曲 transformed 破军 looks like a broken cabinet, with a swollen and bloated shape, carrying a collapsing appearance. In front, it extends like a chicken stretching its neck, falling from a hill like an elephant's trunk. Alternating between high and low, but with feet not sharp, it forms a nipple-shaped grave, which is auspicious for wealth and honor. The廉贞 transformed 破军 is high and steep, with water rushing between the passes, making a thunderous sound. The左辅 transformed 破军 looks like a headpiece, with two sides extending like balls thrown out. The右弼 transformed 破军 looks like a carp leaping, standing upright on flat ground.

三三兩兩平中行，直出身來橫布腳。為神為廟為富貴，只看纏護細斟酌。纏多便是富貴龍，纏少只為鐘鼓閣。九星皆有破祿文，三吉之形輔弼尊。平行穿珠鉅貪祿，闌掉尖拖是破軍。吉星之下無不吉，凶星之下凶所存。況是凶龍為不穴，只是閒行引過身。

They move in small groups across the flat land, straightening their forms and spreading out their branches laterally. Whether this place is a shrine, a temple, or a wealthy family's dwelling depends on the number of surrounding mountains that embrace and protect it. The more surrounding mountains there are, the more it is a dragon of wealth and prosperity; the fewer, it is merely a place like a bell tower or drum pavilion. Among the nine stars, all include the Breaker General, the Keeper of Fortune, and the Literary Star. Among the three auspicious shapes, the Minister and Assistant Stars are most esteemed. When they run parallel, like beads strung together, they are the Gate Star, the Greedy Wolf Star, and the Keeper of Fortune. When their branches are blocked and their tips are dragged out, it is the Breaker General. Beneath auspicious stars, there is no inauspiciousness; beneath malevolent stars, malevolence remains. Moreover, malevolent dragons do not form a site, they merely wander idly, guiding the energy flow and passing by here.

縱然有穴必是假，假穴如何保久存。時師只來尋龍脈，來此峽內空低蹲。便指纏護為真氣，或有遠秀出他村。便說朝山朝水好，下了凶事自入門。只緣不識真龍出，前面必出星辰尊。尊星沾了死龍骨，換了破軍廉祿文。

Even if a凶龙 has a穴, it must certainly be a false穴, and how can a false穴 last long? The old masters only focus on searching for the dragon's pulse, and they go to the gully and just wait there in vain; they point to the surrounding mountains and say these are true energies, or they see a fine peak in another village from afar and say the facing mountain and water are all good. If they bury the grave like this, misfortune will come to them naturally. This is all because they do not recognize the true place where the true dragon emerges. The true dragon must certainly have noble stars in front of it. Once these noble stars come into contact with the bones of a dead dragon, they will replace the凶stars such as破军, 廉贞, 禄存, and 文曲.

破軍忽然橫開張，帳裡戈旗出生旺。此龍出作將軍形，前遇溪流為甲仗。破祿形象最為多。枝蔓懸延氣少平。不為尖刀即劍戟，不作蛇行即擲梭。出逢六秀方位上，上與六氣橫天河。六氣變而生六秀，凶星到此亦消磨。

The star Breaker General suddenly spreads out horizontally like a curtain, and within the curtain, the forms of spears, halberds, and banners emerge from the prosperous and vital positions. This dragon ridge forms the shape of a general, and when it encounters a stream in front, it becomes its armor and weapons. The images of Breaker General and禄存 are most prominent, with branches extending and hanging down, the energy being sparse and calm. It does not form a sharp knife but rather a sword or spear; it does not meander like a snake but rather resembles a thrown shuttle. If it appears in the direction of the six flourishing positions, it connects with the six energies above, stretching across like the Milky Way. The six energies change and produce the six flourishing positions, and even凶 stars are worn down here.

凶星消磨生吉氣，定有星辰巨浪波。此是神仙絕妙法，不比尋常格地羅。與君略舉大形勢，舉目一望皆江河。天下江山幾萬重，我見破軍到處是。祿存文曲輔弼星，低小山形總相類。只有高山形象殊，略舉大綱與君議。

The evil stars have been worn down, transforming into auspicious energy, and there must certainly be stars rising and falling like great waves. This is a miraculous method of the immortals, different from ordinary people who merely adjust the compass to fix a position. Now I will briefly mention the general situation: looking around, everywhere is rivers and streams. The mountains and rivers of the world are in thousands of forms, but I see that the Breaker Star is everywhere. The stars of Wealth Storage, Literary Genius, and Assistant Ministers generally appear similar on small hills, but only on high mountains do their forms clearly differ. Here I can only briefly outline the main points for discussion with you.

崑崙山腳出闐顏，只只腳是破軍山。連綿走出瀚海北，風俗強悍人粗頑。生兒三歲學騎射，骨鯁剛方是此間。山來隴石尖如削，盡是狼峰更高卓。此處如何不出文，只為峰多反成濁。高山大隴峰多尖，不似平原一錐卓。

The remaining parts of the Kunlun Mountains extend to the area around Tianyan Mountain, each branch resembling a mountain of broken troops. They stretch continuously to the north of the Hanhai Sea, where the customs are strong and the people are rough and fierce. Children learn to ride horses and shoot arrows by the age of three; their nature is straightforward and upright, a product of this region. The mountains come from Long Mountain, with sharp rocks as if cut by a knife, and everywhere one sees wolf-like peaks, even more lofty. Why does this area not produce scholars? It is because there are too many sharp peaks, which instead make the land turbid. On high mountains and great ridges, clusters of sharp peaks abound, unlike solitary peaks standing alone on plains.

行行退卸大散關，百二山河在彼間。大纏大護到函谷，水出黃河如闕環。低平漸漸出熊耳，萬里平陽漸漸低。大梁形勢亦無山，到此尋龍何處是。識得星峰是等閒，平處尋龍最是難。若無江流與淮水，渺渺茫茫不見山。

The dragon vein retreats and proceeds all the way to Dasi Pass, where the famous hundred and two mountains and rivers of the Guanzhong region are located in this area. The great encircling and protecting ridges extend all the way to Hangu Pass, and the water flows out and merges into the Yellow River, forming a shape like palaces surrounding. The terrain gradually becomes flatter, and when reaching Xiong'er Mountain, the vast flat land becomes even lower. By the time it reaches Daliang, there are no mountains at all. So where should one look for the dragon here? Recognizing star peaks in mountainous areas is not really a great skill; searching for the dragon on flat land is much more difficult. If there are no rivers like the Yangtze or Huai River as references, it becomes indistinct and vague, and even mountains cannot be seen.

河流沖決山斷絕，又無石骨又無脈。君若到彼說星峰，一句不容三寸舌。黃河在北大江南，兩水夾行勢不絕。行到背脊忽起峰，兗州東嶽插天雄。分枝劈脈鍾靈氣，聖賢多在魯邦中。自古英雄出西北，西北龍神少人識。

After a river breaks through, the mountain shape is cut off, with neither stone bones nor visible veins. If you go to such a place and talk about star peaks, you would have nothing to say, and your eloquence would be of no use. The Yellow River is to the north, the Yangtze River to the south, and the two rivers accompany the dragon pulse together, with continuous momentum. When arriving at the back ridge, a sudden peak arises, which is the Eastern Peak of Yanzhou, Mount Tai, towering and majestic reaching the sky. It branches out and gathers the vital energy, so sages and virtuous men mostly emerge from this area of Lu. Heroes have mostly come from the northwest since ancient times, but few people recognize the dragon spirits of the northwest.

紫微垣局太微宮，天市天苑太行東。南龍高枝過總頂，黑頂二山雪峰盛。分出泰川及漢川，五嶺分星入桂連。山行有斷脈不斷，直至江陰大海邊。海門旺氣連閩越，南水兩夾相交纏。此是海門南脈絡，貨財文武相交錯。

The Purple Micro Enclosure, Taiwei Palace, and the Tianshi and Tianyuan Enclosures are all located east of the Taihang Mountains. The high branches of the Southern Dragon extend over the main peak, with two large mountain peaks in the black peak area reaching their peak. From here, two rivers, the Min River and the Han River, branch out, and the five ridges extend into the area around Guangxi and Liang. Although the mountain shape has breaks, the energy of the mountain continues without interruption, extending all the way to the edge of the sea at Jiangyin. The prosperous energy of the sea gate connects with Fujian and Yue, and two rivers on the south side intertwine. This is the network of mountains to the south of the sea gate, where goods, wealth, and the energies of literature and military power intersect and emerge.

何處是貪何處文？何處辨認武曲尊？尋龍望氣先尋脈，雲霧多生是龍脊。春夏之交與二分，夜望雲霓生處覓。雲霓先生絕高頂，此是龍樓寶殿定。大脊微微云自生，霧氣如嵐反難證。生尋霧氣識正龍，卻是枝龍觀遠應。

Where is the greedy wolf? Where is the literary star? And how can we recognize the noble warrior star? To seek the dragon and observe the qi, we must first find the ridge: where there is much cloud and mist, that is the dragon's back. In the middle of spring and summer, as well as at the solar and lunar equinoxes, look at where the clouds and mist rise at night, and go towards that place. The place where the clouds and mist first rise must be at a very high peak, which can be determined as the dragon palace hall. On a large mountain ridge, there will naturally be some clouds rising slightly; if it is only a mist like mountain fog, it is not reliable. If we insist on using mist to identify the main dragon, we are likely to mistake it for a branch dragon, and we can only look for the responding stars from a distance.

此是神仙尋地法，百里羅城不為遠。知此然後論九星，要識九星觀正形。因就正龍行腳處，認取破祿中間行。天下山山有破祿，破祿交橫有地軸。祿存無祿只為關，破軍不破只為闌。關闌之山作水口，必有羅星在水間。

This is a divine method of finding land, and even if the Luo Cheng is far away, a hundred miles or more, it is still not considered distant. One must understand this principle before discussing the nine stars; and in order to recognize the nine stars, one must first observe their true form. By examining the main ridge of the dragon, one can identify the true path of the dragon between the Breaker and the Storehouse. All mountains in the world have Breakers and Storehouses; where the Breaker and Storehouse intersect and cross each other, there is the "axis of the land." If the Storehouse does not carry the quality of fortune, it can only serve as a gate; if the Breaker does not show signs of fragmentation, it can only serve as a barrier. Mountains that act as gates or barriers block the water mouth, and in the middle of the water there must be a Luo Star.

大河之中有砥柱，四川之口生灩。大姑不姑彭蠡前，採石金山作門戶。更有焦山羅殺石，雖是羅星門不固。此是大尋羅星法，識者便知愚未悟。吾若論及破軍星，多是引龍兼作護。大龍雖要大破軍，小龍夾亂破祿文。

There is a Dizhu Mountain in the middle of the Yellow River, and in the mouth of the Jialing River in Sichuan there is Yanyu Heap (the original text was six characters, one is missing, so it is recorded as is). Da Gu Mountain and Xiao Gu Mountain stand before Pengli Lake, and Cai Shi Ji and Jinshan form the gate of the Yangtze River. There are also Jiao Mountain and Luosha Stone, which although also belong to Luo Star, their gate is not solid. This is the method of seeking Luo Star in the great situation; those who understand it can see it clearly at a glance, while those who are ignorant will never comprehend. As for the Broken Army Star, it is mostly leading the dragon forward and serving as a guardian. A great dragon must be paired with a great Broken Army Star, but a small dragon is confused by the Broken Army Star,禄存, and Wenqu Star.

廉貞多是作龍祖，輔弼隨龍富貴生。廉貞若高龍不出，只是為應廉為門。請君看此州縣間，何處不生水口山。水口關闌皆破祿，無腳交牙如疊環。或有橫山如臥虎，或作重重如瓜瓠。禹鑿龍門透大河，便是當時關水處。

The star廉贞 is mostly regarded as the ancestral mountain of the dragon, and the auxiliary stars follow the dragon to generate wealth and prosperity. If廉贞 is too high and prevents the dragon from extending its ridge, it can only serve as the opposite mountain or act as the gate. Please look around the counties and states; where is there a place that does not have a mountain at the water mouth? The mountains that guard the water mouth are formed by the stars破军 and禄存, without any branches, and they interlock with each other, resembling layers of circular rings. Some are a single horizontal mountain, shaped like a lying tiger; others are layered and piled up, resembling gourds. When Great Yu opened the龙门 to allow the Yellow River to flow, that place was exactly where the water mouth was blocked.

大行走出何中府，河北河南關兩所。大河北來曲射東，西山作水如眠龍。馬耳山枕大江口，絕無腳手為神妙。靈壁山來截淮河，更無一腳如橫過。海門二山鎖二浙，兩山相合如環缺。文廉生腳鎖緇流，橫在水中為兩截。

The Taihang Mountains extend down to the area around Hezhong Fu, forming barriers in both Hebei and Henan provinces. The Yellow River comes from the north, meandering eastward, with mountains on the west side enclosing the water, forming the shape of a sleeping dragon. Ma'ershan lies across the mouth of the great river, completely without any projecting parts, which is quite marvelous. Lingbi Mountain stretches out to intercept the Huai River, also without any projecting parts, merely crossing horizontally. The two mountains at Haimen block the waters of the two Zhe regions, the two mountains meeting like a circular ring missing its mouth. The mountains formed by Wenqu and Lianzhen have projecting parts that block the black flowing water, lying across the water and dividing it into two sections.

大關大鎖龍千里，定有羅星橫截氣。截住江河不許流，關住不知多少地。小羅小鎖及小關，一州一縣須有闌。十闌十鎖百十里，定有王侯居此間。鄉落羅星小關鎖，枕水如戈石橫臥。但看無腳是關闌，重數多少分將佐。君如能識水口山，便識天戈並祿破。

Great barriers and locks can control dragons that come from a thousand miles away; there must certainly be a Luo Star blocking the qi flow. It blocks rivers so they cannot flow straight, and holds back the earth qi in great measure. Small Luo Stars, small locks, and small barriers are also necessary; every state or county must have at least one such obstruction. If there are ten barriers and ten locks extending for hundreds of li, there must certainly be a prince or noble residing there. In villages and settlements, the small Luo Stars are just minor barriers and locks, lying along the water's edge like a spear or a stone lying across horizontally. The way to judge them is to see if they do not have feet, which indicates they are barriers. Then, count how many there are to determine whether they are the main barrier, the auxiliary, or the supporting. If you can recognize the mountain at the river mouth, you will also recognize the heavenly spear and the禄存 and破军.

左輔正形如幞頭，前高後低大小球。伸舒腰長如杖鼓，後大前小駝峰侔。下有兩腳平行去，或在武曲左右遊。此龍如何近武曲，自是分宗為伯叔。分宗定作兩貴龍，此與他星事不同。武曲兩傍必生輔，不似他星變形去。

The "Left Assistant" has a form resembling a cap with a high front and a low back, featuring two spherical shapes, one large and one small. When extended, its waist is long and slender, like a staff drum; its back is large and the front is small, resembling the two humps of a camel. Below it, two feet extend parallel, or it moves around the left and right of the "Wuqu." Why does this dragon always accompany the "Wuqu"? Because they are originally brothers from the same clan. Once divided into separate branches, they must necessarily form two noble dragons, which is different from other stars. The "Wuqu" must always have the "Left Assistant" on both sides, unlike other stars that change their forms.

左輔自有左輔形，方峰之下如卓斧。此是武曲輔星形，若是真輔不如此。真龍自作貴龍身，璞頭橫腳高低去。高頂高峰圓落肩，忽然堆起如螺卵。又如梨栗堆簇繁，頂上累累山結頂。斷定前送深入垣。

Left Assistant has its own form: it appears like a vertical axe blade beneath a square peak. However, this is the form of the auxiliary star accompanying Wuqu, and the true Left Assistant is not like this. The true Left Assistant forms its own body of a noble dragon. Its head is shaped like a幞头, lying horizontally with its feet, moving up and down. It rises to a high peak, then smoothly slopes down with a rounded shoulder. Suddenly it piles up like a spiral shell. It also resembles a cluster of pears and chestnuts, densely piled and overlapping, with each mountain forming a peak. When such a form is seen, it can be determined that there is a ridge coming forward to reach the boundary of the territory.

要知此星名侍衛，入到垣中最為貴。東華西華門水橫，水外四圍列峰位。此是垣前執法星，卻分左右為兵衛。方正之垣號太微，垣有四門號天市。紫微垣外前後門，華蓋三臺前後衛。中有過水名御溝，抱城屈曲中間流。

To know that the star known as 「Servant」 is called Left Assistant, it is the most esteemed among the stars entering the enclosure. Outside the East and West Gate of the palace, there is water crossing horizontally, with peaks surrounding it on all four sides. This is the 「Star of Justice」 in front of the enclosure, standing on both sides to serve as guards. A square enclosure is called 「Taiwei Enclosure」, while an enclosure with four gates is called 「Tianshi Enclosure」. Outside the Purple Micro Enclosure, there are two gates in front and back, namely 「Huagai」 and San Tai guarding in front and behind. In the middle, there is a water passage called 「Yugou」, circling around the city wall, winding through the center.

紫微垣內星辰足，天市太微少全局。朝迎未必皆真形，朝海拱辰勢如簇。千山萬水皆入朝，入到懷中九回曲。入垣輔弼形微細，隱隱微微在平地。右衛左衛星傍羅，輔在垣中為近侍。右弼一星本無形，是以名為隱曜星。

The stars within the Purple Forbidden Enclosure are most complete, while the Heavenly Market Enclosure and the Supreme Palace Enclosure have fewer complete formations. Mountains that welcome the approach may not all be true forms, but the overall momentum should resemble the convergence of myriad rivers toward the sea or the gathering of countless stars around the celestial pole, coming together in clusters. Thousands of mountains and rivers all converge, entering the embrace and winding through many twists and turns. The forms of the auxiliary stars when entering the enclosure are very subtle, faintly hidden on the flat ground. The Right Guard and Left Guard stars are arranged beside them, with the Left Assistant star serving as a close attendant within the enclosure. The Right Assistant star does not have a fixed form, so it is called the "Hidden Radiance Star."

隨龍博換隱跡去，脈跡便是隱曜行。只緣飛宮有九曜，因此強名右弼星。天下尋輔知幾處，河北河南只三四。更有終南泰華龍，出沒為垣盡如此。南來莫錯認南嶽，雖有弼星垣氣弱。卻有回龍輔大江，水口三峰卓如削。

It follows the dragon path, shedding its traces and concealing its trail; the faint trail is called "hidden brilliance" in the course. Since the method of flying palaces requires the number of nine luminaries to be complete, it iswith difficulty given the name "Right Assistant Star." Throughout the world, there are only a few places where the Left Assistant can be found; in Hebei and Henan provinces, there are no more than three or four such places. In addition, there is another line of dragons coming from Zhongnan Mountain and Taishan Mountain; their appearance of forming a wall is also like this. When dragons come from the south, do not mistake them for Mount Heng, the southern peak; although there is an Assistant Star there, the energy of the enclosure is weak. Instead, there is a returning dragon protected by a great river, with three peaks standing upright like they were cut by a knife at the river mouth.

此龍俗云多輔星，又隨塞垣入沙漠。兩京嵩山最難尋，已被前人曾妄作。東西垣局並長江，中有黃河入水長。後山屏帳如負，下瞰泰淮枕水鄉。輔弼隱曜入大梁，卻是英雄古戰場。大河九曲曲中有，輔弼九曲分入首。

This dragon path is said by the common people to have many auxiliary stars. It extends into the desert along with the boundary structures. The auxiliary stars are most difficult to find in the areas around the eastern and western capitals and Mount Song. Earlier scholars have already mistakenly identified them. The eastern and western boundary structures are adjacent to the Yangtze River, with the Yellow River flowing long into it. The rear mountains are like screens and tents, as if a person is carrying a screen behind them. Looking down, they overlook Mount Tai and the Huai River, resting on a stretch of water country. The hidden and luminous energy of the auxiliary stars enters the capital city of Daliang, which was once a battlefield for heroes. The Yellow River winds through nine bends, and within its winding course lies the dragon pulse; the auxiliary stars also follow these nine bends, branching out to form their conclusions.

夫人識得左輔星，識得之時莫開口。如何識得左輔星，次第生峰無雜形。天門上頭生寶殿，寶殿引生鳳樓橫。樓中千萬尋池水，水是真龍樓上氣。兩池夾出龍脊高，池中崩傾非大地。地中實是輔弼星，只分有跡與無形。

If a person recognizes the Left Assistant Star, they should not casually speak about it. How can one recognize the Left Assistant Star? It is when the peaks appear in sequence, with a pure and unified form without any mixture. Above the Heavenly Gate, a palace is formed, and this palace leads to a horizontally arranged Phoenix Tower. Within the tower, one must carefully look for pools of water; the water represents the true dragon's gathering energy on the roof. Between the two pools, the dragon's spine rises high; if the water collapses and flows away, it is not the earth. In fact, the earth is still governed by the Assistant and Minister Stars, differing only in whether their presence is visible or not.

有形便是真左輔，無跡便是隱曜行。縱然不大也節鉞，巨浪重重不堪說。巨浪是帳帳有扛，扛曲星峰巧如缺。扛星便是華蓋橫，曲處星峰不作證。證出貪巨祿文廉，武破周而復始定。天戈直指破軍路，此是天門龍出序。

The visible and tangible form is the true Left Assistant, while the hidden and indistinct form is the concealed Right Assistant, which appears in movement. Such a dragon, even if not very substantial, can produce generals who hold the jade scepter and wield the general's staff. If there are also mountains rising in successive waves like great waves, then even more so.the so-called Great Wave refers to the canopy, and the canopy has a horizontal beam. At the bend of the horizontal beam, the star peaks are skillfully shaped like the crescent moon's notch. The beam stars are the horizontally arranged canopy, while the star peaks at the bend are not reliable. The true verification comes from the sequence of Tanlang, Jumen, Luchun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, then Wuqu, and Pujun, repeating in order. The form of the heavenly spear points directly to the path of Pujun, which is the order of the heavenly gate producing the dragon.

若出天門是正龍，不出天門形不真。一形不具便減力，次第排來君莫誤。自貪至破為次第，顛倒亂行龍失序。一剝一換尋斷處，斷處兩傍生擁護。旌幢行有蓋天旗，旗似破軍或斜去。看他橫帶如巨浪，浪滾一峰名出帳。

The true dragon comes out from the heavenly gate; if it does not come from the heavenly gate, its form is not genuine. Among the nine stars, if one form is missing, its power decreases by one part. They should be arranged in order, and you must not mix them up. From the star Tanlang to the star Pojun is the correct sequence; if it is reversed or confused, the dragon loses its order. Between each transformation, one must find the place where the dragon breaks off. On both sides of the break, there must be supporting mountains. As the banner and canopy proceed, there is a "Covering Heaven Flag" among them; the flag shape resembles the star Pojun, or it may slope off. Look for the form of a broad band, like a great wave rolling, with the wave crest forming a peak, which is called "Emerging from the tent."

帳中過去中央行，不出中央不入相。星形備具入坦行，怪怪奇奇入天象。我到京師驗前說，帝垣果有星羅列。南北雖短東西長，東華水繞西華岡。水從闕口復來朝，九曲九回朝帝闕。前星儼若在南上，周召到此觀天象。

Passing through the center of the tent and walking along the central path is the proper way; those who do not walk along the central path will not become prime ministers. After the stars are complete, they enter the enclosure and move within it, with all the strange and peculiar shapes corresponding to celestial phenomena. I personally went to the capital to verify these statements, and indeed the enclosure of the imperial capital has a myriad of star peaks. Though it is short in the north-south direction, it is long in the east-west direction. To the east of the Eastern Gate, there is water surrounding it, while to the west of the Western Gate, there are ridges and hills. The water flows from the缺口 of the palace and returns to encircle the palace, winding nine times and nine times to face the imperial palace. The star peaks in front are clearly located to the south. When Duke Zhou and Duke Zhao came here before, they were indeed observing the celestial phenomena and examining the layout of the capital.

上了南岡望北岡，聖人卜宅分陰陽。北岡峙立天門上，分作長垣在兩傍。垣上兩邊分九個，兩垣夾帝中央坐。要識坦中有帝星，皇都坐定甚分明。君若要識左輔宿，凡入皇城辨坦局。重重圍繞八九重，九重之外九重複。

He climbed to the southern hill and looked afar at the northern hill, where ancient sages determined the capital city and discerned yin and yang. The northern hill stands high above the heavenly gate, forming two long walls on either side. On both sides of the walls, nine peaks branch out. The two walls enclose the imperial star in the center, seated upright. To recognize the imperial star within the walls, the orientation of the imperial capital becomes clearly defined. If you wish to understand the constellation of Left Assistant, when entering the imperial city, you should first identify the terrain features. It is surrounded in layers, with eight or nine layers surrounding it, and beyond the nine layers, there are yet another nine layers.

重出復嶺看輔星，高山頂上幞頭橫。低處恰如千官入，載弁橫班如覆笠。仔細觀來真不同，應是為垣皆富局。輔為上相弼次相，破祿宿衛廉次將。文昌分明是後宮，武曲貪狼帝星樣。更有巨門最尊貴，喚作極星事非誑。

Looking again at the auxiliary star on the overlapping ridges: on a high mountain peak, there is a shape resembling a幞头 hat lying horizontally. In lower areas, the mountain shape appears like hundreds of officials entering the court, wearing hats and lined up in rows, also like a number of overturned bamboo hats. Upon close examination, it is indeed different from other places. Any formation that can form a wall indicates a prosperous and wealthy situation. Left Auxiliary is the chief minister, Right Assistant is the deputy minister; Broken Army and禄存 serve as palace guards, while廉贞 is the deputy general. Wen Chang is clearly the imperial harem, while Wu Qu and Tan Lang resemble the form of the imperial star. There is also the Giant Gate, which is the most esteemed, called the "Pole Star," and this statement is not false.

三垣各有垣內星，凡是星峰皆內向。垣星本不許人知，若不明言恐世迷。只到京師君便識，重重外衛內垣平。此龍不許時人識，留與皇家鎮國家。請從九曜尋剝龍，剝盡粗龍尋細跡。要識真龍真輔相，只看高低幞頭樣。

The Three Enclosures of Ziwei, Taimei, and Tianshi each contain their own stars within their boundaries, and all the star peaks face towards the interior of the enclosures. The stars within the enclosures are not meant for common people to know, but if not explained clearly, the world would remain confused forever. You just need to visit the capital city and you will understand: there are many layers of protection outside, but the inner enclosure is flat and open. Such a dragon is not allowed to be recognized by ordinary people, but is left for the royal family to guard the country. Now, please start by looking for the changing dragon from the nine luminaries: strip away the coarse and large body of the dragon first, then search for the subtle traces of the vein. To distinguish a true dragon and its genuine auxiliary stars, just observe the shape of their幞head, which rises and falls in height.

若是輔星自作龍，隱行不識真形象。若還三吉去作龍，隨龍變形卻不同。貪狼多類品字立，武巨圓方三個峰。三峰節節隨身轉，中有一峰是正面。兩傍夾者是輔星，大小尖圓要君辨。此龍初發在高山，高處生峰亦生瓣。

If the auxiliary star acts as a dragon itself, it moves subtly and remains unrecognized in its true form. However, if the three auspicious stars serve as the dragon, the auxiliary star changes shape along with the dragon, resulting in a different situation. The greedy wolf star usually appears as three peaks arranged in a character "品" shape standing upright. The Wu Qu and Ju Men stars, on the other hand, appear as three rounded or square peaks. These three peaks gradually change shape along the dragon's body, with one peak facing forward. The two peaks flanking it are the auxiliary stars, and their size, sharpness, and roundness should be carefully distinguished by you. This kind of dragon originates from a high mountain, with peaks rising high and also branching out into petal-like shapes at the same time.

肩瓣須明似幞頭，袞袞低來是輥球。平行鯉鯽露背脊，有腳橫排如覆笠。若是降樓並下殿，節節如樓下剝換。貪下剝換如拋球，尖處帶腳如龜浮。此是下嶺方如此，上嶺逆行推覆舟。尖圓若是品字立，世人誤作三臺求。

The petals on the shoulder should be distinct, shaped like a幞头 hat. If they roll down gradually, they are called 「roller ball」. When viewed from the side, they resemble the back of a carp or a sardine, with feet spread out like an overturned bamboo hat. If they descend from the Dragon Hall or the Imperial Hall, they appear in sections like steps descending a staircase. Under the influence of Tuanlang, the peeling shape resembles a thrown ball, with a pointed tip and feet like a turtle floating on water. This is the appearance when descending a hill; when ascending a hill in reverse, one should imagine it as an overturned boat. If three rounded peaks are arranged in a character '品' shape, people often mistakenly recognize them as 「San Tai」 and seek fortune accordingly.

祿存剝換蜈蚣節，微微短腳身邊立。文曲梭中帶線行，曲曲飛梭草藏跡。廉下變為梳齒形，梳齒中央引龍脊。徘徊幞頭如改換，行當平中斷復斷。破軍之下夾兩槍，若作天戈如走電。亂行失序出頭來，又似虎狼行帶箭。纏多便作斷吉龍，若是無纏為道院。

The禄存 transforms into the segments of a centipede, with small legs standing near by. The文曲 transforms like a shuttle carrying a thread, winding and twisting as if flying through, leaving traces hidden among the grass. The廉贞 transforms into the shape of a comb, with the middle of the comb extending into a dragon's spine. The幞头 shape moves back and forth, seeming to change constantly; when it reaches flat ground, it breaks off repeatedly. The破军 transforms into two spear-like forms, resembling the "Heavenly Spear," with a force like lightning. It emerges in a disorderly manner, resembling wolves and tigers running with arrows on their bodies. If there are many dragons winding around and protecting, it can still be considered a good dragon; if there is none, it can only be regarded as a path for temples and monasteries.

弼星本來無正形，形隨八曜高低生。要識弼星正形處，八星斷處隱藏處。隱藏是形名隱曜，此是弼星最要妙。拋梭馬跡線如絲，蜘蛛過水上灘魚。驚蛇入草失行跡，斷脈斷跡尋來無。脈是尊名右弼星，左右隨龍身上行。

"The Right Minister" does not have a fixed form; its shape arises according to the elevation of the other eight stars. To recognize the true form of the Right Minister, one must look where the eight stars are broken and where the qi is hidden. The hidden state itself is its form, hence it is called "Hidden Light." This is the most subtle and profound aspect of the Right Minister. Its passage over the ridge resembles a shuttle thrown out, a horse's hoofprint, a thin thread, a spider crossing water, or a fish climbing a shoal. It also resembles a startled snake burrowing into grass, losing its trail; the ridge is broken and the trail is lost, making it impossible to find. This ridge is what is called the noble Right Minister star, which accompanies the dragon body on its left and right."

行龍之時有輔弼，變換隨龍看蹤跡。君如識得右弼星，每到垣中多失跡。博龍失脈失跡時，地上失絃琴背覓。若識弼星隱曜宮，處處觀來皆是吉。此星多吉少傍凶，畫為藏形本無實。藏形之時神殺藏，卻是地中暗來脈。

The dragon when moving always carries its assistants, which change along with the dragon. To recognize it, one must look at its traces. If you can recognize the Right Assistant Star, you will know that whenever it reaches the boundary of a domain, it often loses its form. When the dragon loses its pulse and trace, it is like a broken string on a zither, and one must look behind the zither to find it. If one can recognize the hidden dwelling of the Right Assistant Star, then everywhere appears to be auspicious. This star is mostly auspicious and rarely brings misfortune. When it is drawn, it is only "concealing form," and it has no actual physical form. When it conceals form, malevolent spirits and evil influences are also concealed. In reality, it is a hidden pulse running beneath the earth.

此地平陽千百程，不然彼處卻是弼。坪中還有水流坡，高水一寸即是阿。只為時師眼力淺，到彼茫然無奈何。便云無處尋蹤跡，直到有山方認得。如此之人豈可言？有穴在坪原自失。只來山上覓龍虎，又要圓頭始雲吉。

Such a place is a flat and open field, where one can travel for thousands of miles; if not so, then it should be right弼 (Right Assistant) that is in action. Within the flat terrain, there is still a discernible slope of water flow: those higher than the water level by an inch are hills. It is only because the master of the time has shallow eyes and poor discernment, and when he arrives there he is confused and at a loss, that he says there is no trace to be found here, and insists on waiting until he sees a mountain before he can recognize it. What more can be said about such people? There is clearly a grave in the flat terrain, yet they themselves miss it. They only know to look for dragons and tigers (mountain forms) on the mountains, and they insist on seeing a round-headed star peak before they will say it is auspicious.

不知山穹落平去，穴在坪中貴無敵。痴師誤了幾多人，又道葬理畏卑溼。不知穴在水中者，如此難憑山泉溼。蓋緣水漲在中央，水退即同乾地力。且如兩淮平似掌，也有州軍落巢瀝。也有英雄在彼中，豈無墳墓與宮室？只將水注與水流，兩水夾流是龍脊。非惟弼曜在其中，八曜入坪皆有蹤。前篇有時說平處，平裡貪狼皆一同。時師識盡真龍胍，方知富貴與豐隆。

They do not understand that mountains rise in a rounded form and then fall to flat land, and that a good burial site is formed in the flat area, which is actually very valuable. Foolish geomancers have misled many people, yet they claim that burial methods most fear low and damp ground. They do not know that some burial sites are actually in the water, and such places cannot be judged by the dampness of mountain spring water. Because when the water rises, the site is in the center of the water, and when the water recedes, it is as dry as the land. For example, in the area around the two Huai rivers, the land is flat as a palm, yet there are still prefectures, towns, and military garrisons located in low-lying waterlogged areas. There also emerge heroes and outstanding figures, so where are their tombs and palaces? One only needs to observe the inflow and outflow of water; the middle where two streams meet is the dragon's spine. Not only does the right minister star reside there, but all eight stars that fall on flat land have their own traces to be found. In the previous sections, sometimes we mentioned flat land, and the principles of the star "Tanniang" on flat land are exactly the same as those on mountains. If the current geomancers can fully recognize the true dragon's pulse, they will understand how wealth, honor, and prosperity arise.

貪狼作穴是乳頭，巨門作穴窩中求。武曲作穴釵鉗覓，祿廉梳齒犁釒闢頭。文曲穴來坪裡作，高處亦是掌心落。破軍作穴似戈矛，兩傍左右手皆收。定有兩山皆護衛，不然一水過橫流。輔星正穴燕巢仰，若在高山掛燈樣。

The greedy wolf (Tān Láng) hill shape is like a nipple. The great gate (Jù Mén) hill shape should be sought in a hollow form. The martial virtue (Wǔ Qū) hill shape should be found in a hairpin or clamp shape. The禄存 (Lù Cún) and廉贞 (Lián Zhēn) hill shapes are like comb teeth and a plowshare head (「钅辟」is the original character, meaning a piece of iron on a plow, transcribed as it is). The literary virtue (Wén Qū) hill shape is mostly formed on flat ground, even if on a high place, it is located in a concave area like the palm of a hand. The breaking army (Pò Jūn) hill shape resembles a spear or spearhead, with both sides needing to be gathered. At this time, there must be two mountains to guard it, otherwise there should be a stream flowing across. The left assistant (Zuǒ Fǔ) main hill shape is like an upturned swallow's nest, if on a mountain, it is like a hanging lamp.

落在低平是雞巢，縱有圓頭亦凹象。此是博換尋星穴，尋穴隨龍細辨別。龍若真兮穴亦真，龍不真兮少真穴。尋龍雖易裁穴難，只為時人昧剝山。剝龍換骨星變易，識得疑龍穴不難。古人望龍知正穴，蓋將失龍尋換節。識得龍家換骨星，富貴令人無歇滅。

A pit located in a low and flat area resembles a chicken coop, even if the top is round, the shape of the pit remains concave. This is the method of searching for stars by following the transformation (剥换) and determining the pit by the stars. When searching for a pit, one must carefully distinguish according to the form of the dragon (龙). If the dragon is genuine, the pit will also be genuine; if the dragon is not genuine, there will be few genuine pits. Searching for the dragon is relatively easy, but determining the pit is difficult, because nowadays people do not understand the principle of transformation (剥换) in mountains. When the dragon undergoes transformation, its bone structure and star forms change. If one can recognize these suspicious dragons, then pinpointing the pit will not be difficult. Ancient people could determine the true pit by looking at the dragon's form from afar. The method is to search for the transformation point of the dragon when its energy seems about to be lost. Those who can recognize the "transformation star" (换骨星) of the dragon family will have long-lasting wealth and honor.

尋龍且用依經訣，好把星峰細辨別。龍行上應三吉星，兒孫世代產賢哲。次第發出有尊卑，初龍小巧真龍拙。一起一伏名差殊，變換之中分骨節。有乳有節足安墳，氣候潛藏尋取穴。吉星之下節目奇，凶星之下節目劣。崩洪節目最為強，氣脈相連無斷絕。

Looking for the dragon (dragon line) should be done according to the classics and rules. Carefully distinguish the stars and peaks. If the dragon line corresponds to the three auspicious stars above, the descendants will generations after generations produce wise and virtuous people. The dragon line proceeds in sequence with distinctions of rank and hierarchy: the initial emergence of the dragon appears small, while the true dragon appears simple and unrefined. Between the rises and falls, there are many different names, and it is in these changes that we distinguish its bones and joints. Where there are milk-like formations and joints, it is sufficient to establish a tomb. The place where the climate is hidden is exactly where the site should be chosen. The formations under auspicious stars are peculiar, while those under inauspicious stars are inferior. The formations that pass through lands of landslides and floods are most robust, because there the qi continues and is not broken.

龍星自有真峰應，雌山低弱雄山勝。行龍雖貴骨節奇，入穴須教骨節稱。不欲山曲如反弓，不欲山直如伸頸。吉星吉兮凶星凶，不由人使由天定。時師未識七星形，為作歌兮切須聽。

The stars that form the body of a dragon naturally have true corresponding peaks to match them: the female mountain should be low and weak, while the male mountain should be high and dominant. Although a dragon-like mountain range is valued for having peculiar bone joints, when it reaches the site of the burial mound, the joints must be in harmony with the mound. It is not desired for the mountains to bend like a bow that is arched backward, nor for them to be straight like a long neck. A good star brings good fortune, and a bad star brings misfortune; this is determined by heaven, not by human effort. Until now, the old masters have not recognized the forms of the Seven Stars, so I have composed the following verse to explain them. Please listen carefully.

貪狼一木勢尖強，鬼星秀麗足文章。或然丫角牙丫起，明經魁選細推詳。七峰八峰磊落去，龍圖學士富文章。左穿右博烈筆陣，行龍旌節如旗搶。其間定有神靈應，或然世代生王侯。若作天馬騰躍起，富雖不巨盈千倉。若作牙筍攢地面，文武官顯居朝堂。不世富貴馳聲譽，更兼福祿壽而昌。

"The 'Tanlang' star belongs to the Wood element, with a sharp and strong form. Its ghost star is elegant and refined, indicating talent in literature. Sometimes, the peak splits into two sharp angles, resembling teeth, and whether one can pass the imperial examination with distinction or win the top rank depends on a detailed analysis. If seven or eight peaks are continuous and flowing, they produce scholars like those of the Dragon Pavilion Academy, who are rich in literary talent. When the left side is penetrating and the right side is changing, the气势 is like an array of writing brushes; when the dragon line moves, banners, flags, and military symbols stand like a forest of spears and guns. In between, there must be divine感应, or there will be generations of kings and dukes. If it forms the shape of a Heavenly Horse leaping, wealth may not be extremely great, but there will be abundant storage of thousands of granaries. If it forms the appearance of tooth roots gathering on the ground, both literary and military officials can hold positions in the court. This is a rare case of great wealth and prestige, with reputation spreading far and wide, and also possessing longevity, blessings, and prosperity."

巨門一土少人知，端正秀麗如蛾眉。有時覆月出天外，有時隱隱生平夷。挺生英傑事明主，忠良正直如皋夔。懸鍾頓起高聳起，富貴兼全聲聞美。牛奔象舞勢勇猛，授鉞閫外無復疑。忽然壘壘空碧，小更良兮高更奇。斯地勿論富與貴，神仙出世同安期。肥厚遙長子孫遠，勢若短尖多虧盈。

"The Giant Gate" belongs to the Earth element, and few understand it. It is upright and elegant, resembling the eyebrows of a beauty; sometimes it appears like a crescent moon emerging from the heavens, and sometimes it subtly emerges from flat terrain. It can produce outstanding talents who serve wise rulers, loyal and upright like the virtuous ministers Yao Gao and Gui. If it appears as a hanging bell rising abruptly and towering high, it signifies both wealth and honor, with a good reputation. If its气势 is as fierce as a bull charging or an elephant dancing, it indicates being entrusted with a great mandate and commanding troops beyond the national borders; there is no doubt about this. Suddenly it becomes layered and piled up, appearing as a clear and bright blue-green expanse (the original text here is six characters, missing one, so it is recorded without supplementation). The smaller ones are more benevolent, while the taller ones are more extraordinary. Such terrain does not need to be discussed further regarding wealth or honor; it is as if a deity has emerged, comparable to Anqisheng. Mountains that are thick and long bring enduring blessings to descendants; whereas those that are short and sharp often lead to losses and fluctuations.

武曲之星號一金，卓圭立笏高千尋。定主兵權富韜略，登壇既拜夷狄飲。稜層高聳立屏障，文華秀發稱儒林。簇簇樓臺高且壯，危巖古怪當天地。此地葬之勿猶豫，世代榮貴輝古今。便以方冠清且巧，三五相連羅碧岑。子孫聰明覆秀麗，芝蘭庭砌何森森。

"The star 'Wuqu' is said to belong to the metal element. Its shape resembles a standing jade bi or a raised hand tablet, towering thousands of feet high. It surely governs military power and is rich in strategy; once it appears on the battlefield, all the surrounding barbarian tribes will bow in submission. If its peaks are layered and sharp, rising like a barrier, it signifies literary excellence and can be considered the leader of the scholarly community. If the peaks are like clustered pagodas, high and strong, with strange and majestic rocks facing the heavens and the earth, such a site is suitable for burial without hesitation, bringing generations of honor and glory, shining brightly throughout history. Moreover, if the peaks are square and like a hat, clear and elegant, with three or five peaks arranged in a row among green hills, the descendants will be both intelligent and beautiful, like fragrant orchids in a courtyard, flourishing together."

祿存一土君切忌，醜惡崩欹不綿媚。高峰孤起如拈拳，低山卑溼如牛鼻。或若棺材隨水流，或若死尸臥平地。自然虧缺不足看，疾病顛狂遭劓刈。兒孫傭懶走他州，淫慾奸偷總連累。

"Luxun" belongs to the earth element, and this star should be strictly avoided and feared. Its shape is ugly and collapsed, leaning crookedly, with no softness or grace. High mountains stand alone, rising like a clenched fist; low hills are low and damp, resembling a cow's nose. Some look like coffins floating with water, others like dead bodies lying on flat land. These mountains themselves are defective and unappealing. The household is prone to illness and madness, suffering from punishment and execution. Their descendants are lazy and incapable, wandering in distant regions. Matters of lust, adultery, and theft are also involved.

文曲一水何孤單，生枝生足如蜒蚰。亂花丘壠不接續，三三五五飛翩翩。也似驚蛇初出草，也如鵝頸榨流泉。坑溪反背無收拾，縱然收拾還攣拳。此地葬這主遊蕩，男不忠兮女不賢。

The "Wen Qu" is of the water element, appearing very solitary in form. It branches out like a centipede. The ridges and depressions are scattered like fallen flowers, not connected to each other, drifting aimlessly in groups of three or five. Some resemble a snake startled from the grass, others like a goose neck dipping into a swift current. The gullies and streams flow in reverse, without proper containment; even if they are forced to be contained, they remain curled and contracted, unable to spread out. Such terrain is unfavorable for burial, leading to descendants who are unstable and unreliable, with men being unfaithful and women being unvirtuous.

廉貞獨火大凶災，高尖醜惡空崔嵬。生枝發足桃符起，首尾分張兩畔開。形似垛甲勢分列。質不清兮濁似血。毛髮焦枯氣脈散，水流滯急聲如雷。瘟死盡兼官禍，敗國亡家真可哀。

"The 'Lianzhen' (廉贞) formation, if it remains as a single fire element without change, is extremely凶 (fateful disaster). It is high and sharp, ugly and repulsive, standing alone and towering. Its branches and roots resemble a pair of peach wood charms standing upright, spreading out at both ends and splitting apart to both sides. Its shape resembles a row of armor plates arranged in order, with unclear texture, murky and resembling blood. On the mountain, grass and trees are withered and dry, with scattered energy lines; water flows either blocked or rushing, making a thunder-like sound. Such a terrain brings plague and death, along with legal disputes. It leads to the destruction of the country and family, truly lamentable."

破軍二金招凶惡，山猛陰陽各差錯。峰巒突兀亂石岡，不然破碎連基鑿。也作竹篙馬鞭勢，也作兵戈與繩索。左崎右險舉頭看，入穴葫蘆塊然落。明堂傾陷水潺潺，龍虎二山伸兩腳。若犯此星甚乖張，當代兒孫見銷鑠。

"Pòjūn" belongs to the Metal element and is the second in order, it brings inauspiciousness. The mountain shape is fierce and abrupt, with yin and yang not in harmony. The peaks are abrupt and stand out, forming a chaotic rocky ridge; or else the mountain is broken and shattered, with the mountain base appearing as if it has been chiseled. It also takes the shape of a bamboo pole or a horse whip, straight and elongated, or the shape of weapons and ropes, which are ominous. The left side is rugged and the right side is steep, clearly visible when looking up. At the site of the burial, it looks like a gourd falling suddenly. The Bright Hall is sunken, with water flowing quietly away; the Dragon and Tiger mountains do not encircle but instead extend like two feet. If this star is violated and the form is discordant, the descendants of the current generation will experience decline and decay.

輔弼常隨七星轉，多在明堂左右見。有時脫體醮清波，形勢或作闌圈西。或見龜蛇或見魚，迎山連接如絲線。山厚山肥人多豐，山薄山走人奸賤。須教閉密不通風，莫令大開水流濺。

"The Left Assistant" and "Right Assistant" often accompany the other seven stars, mostly appearing on the left and right of the Bright Hall. Sometimes they detach from their original forms, submerging themselves in clear water; sometimes their shape forms a walled enclosure. Occasionally they appear as turtle shapes, snake shapes, or fish shapes; the connecting mountains are fine as threads. If the mountains are thick and fertile, the population will be numerous and prosperous; if the mountains are thin and leaky, people will be cunning and lowly. The terrain should be closed and tight, not open and exposed, allowing water to splash out freely.

三蓋吉星隨龍入，磊落巖形卓立。或作高峰勢插天，或在明堂皆頓集。或在水口相舉連，或在輔弼山頭立。或然隱隱在溪坑，胎息成龍勢藏蟄。大成州郡產英豪，小作鄉村兼鎮邑。定知世代祿綿綿，文韜武略精傳習。

Three auspicious stars resemble a canopy, following the dragon along its path into the territory. Their form is upright and noble, with rocks standing tall and firm. Sometimes they form a high peak, with气势 reaching straight up to the clouds; sometimes they gather and lie down within the Bright Hall; sometimes they stand connected at the water mouth; sometimes they stand on the peaks of auxiliary mountains. Sometimes they are hidden in the gullies and ravines of streams, like a dragon in the womb, with its气势 concealed and dormant. When they form large structures, they create states and prefectures, producing heroes and outstanding figures; when they form small ones, they create villages and towns. It can be determined that such land will bring continuous blessings and honor through generations, with strategies and military skills being studied and passed down from one generation to the next.

七星變化無窮極，體樣相同人未識。四維八干十二枝，博換化身百千億。本自二源分派殊，不得明師述大惑。但將分受細推尋，何用勞心更勞力。凶禍之星凶禍生，福德之星招福德。造化元來指掌間，此是神仙真法則。

The changes of the seven stars are endless, their forms and appearances are similar to each other, so people cannot recognize them clearly. The four directions, the trigrams Qian and Kun, Gen and Xun, the eight heavenly stems Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, and the twelve earthly branches, when combined and transformed, can produce countless forms. They all originate from the same source of yin and yang qi, differing only in their branches. If one does not receive instruction from a wise master, one will remain trapped in great confusion. If one carefully examines the star qi received from different directions, why bother to use one's mind and effort? A star associated with misfortune will bring misfortune, and a star associated with fortune will bring fortune. The principles of destiny lie originally in one's palm—this is the true method passed down by the immortals.