General Discussion: The Origin of Dragon Lines and Observing Dragon Lines in Flat Land Areas

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.