These are eight combinations of triple lines. In the first the lines are unbroken, and in the last they are all divided at the centre, the intermediate figures consisting of different permutations of broken and unbroken lines (see p. 290). These eight diagrams, by which certain Chinese philosophers explained all the phenomena of Nature, are supposed to have been constructed by the legendary Emperor Fu Hsi (B.C. 2852) from a plan revealed to him on the back of the “dragon horse” (_lung ma_) which rose from the Yellow River.[131] Among other things, they are used to designate the points of the compass, one arrangement making the first figure represent the South (also designated _ch’ien_[chch] or Heaven), and the last figure the North (also designated _k’un_[chch] or Earth), the remaining figures representing South-West, West, North-West, North-East, East, and South-East. * * * * * The _pa pao_ [chch 2], or Eight Precious Symbols, supported by fungus sprays. These are usually represented by (1) a sphere or jewel, which seems to have originally been the sun disc; (2) a circle enclosing a square, which suggests the copper coin called a “cash”; (3) an open lozenge, symbol of victory or success; (4) a musical stone (_ch’ing_); (5) a pair of books; (6) a pair of rhinoceros horns (cups); (7) a lozenge-shaped picture (_hua_); (8) a leaf of the artemisia, a plant of good omen, which dispels sickness. (See p. 299.) * * * * * The _pa chi hsiang_ [chch 3], or Eight Buddhist Symbols, supported on lotus scrolls. These symbols, which appeared among the auspicious signs on the foot of Buddha, comprise (1) the wheel (_chakra_), which is sometimes replaced by the hanging bell; (2) the shell trumpet of Victory; (3) the umbrella of state; (4) the canopy; (5) the lotus flower; (6) the vase; (7) the pair of fish, emblems of fertility; (8) the angular knot (representing the entrails), symbol of longevity. (See p. 298.) The hundred forms of the character _shou_ (longevity)--_pai shou tz’ŭ_. * * * * * _Ju-i_ sceptres and phœnix medallions. The _ju-i_ [chch 2] (“as you wish”) sceptre brings fulfilment of wishes, and is a symbol of longevity (see vol. i., p. 227). The head of the _ju-i_, which has a strong resemblance to the conventional form of the _ling chih_ fungus, is often used in borders and formal patterns variously described as “_ju-i_ head patterns,” “cloud-scroll patterns,” or “_ju-i_ cloud patterns.” Close ground patterns of propitious clouds (_yung hsiang yün ti_). Cloud designs are propitious because they symbolise the fertilising rain, and they are commonly represented by conventional scrolls as well as by the more obvious cloud patterns. * * * * * Crested sea waves (_chiang ya hai shui_).