Magic Squares
Magic squares are well-known in Far Eastern and Western mysticism, and originated in India. In China the magic square is called the 10 shu. The following legend is known in feng shut and Chmese numerology: King Fu Hsi (2500 BC), a very wise man, sat down on the banks of the river La to meditate, when a turtle appeared from the water. On her back was a pattern of colored dots (or water drops) that were arranged like the numbers in the magic square. He became convinced that this design explained the movement of energy in the universe. This square is known to this day as the 10 shu, or the plan of the La River. The 10 shu serves as the basic structure for many calculations in feng shui. It is for instance the starting point for the ba gua or the eight trigrams, as well as the basis for the 9-star ki, also known as the flying stars-astrological calculations and analysis for people and buildings. The I Ching (Book of Changes) was developed by King We (around 1000 BC) from the 10 shu. In the West the magic square probably got its name because people used it in charms or amulets. Magic squares were assigned to represent certain planets, as the value of the sum represented the attributes of the particular planet, which is why they are also called the "seals of the planets." Saturn's is the smallest planetary magic square. It is made up of 3 x 3 squares. The basic numbers from 1 through 9 always add up to 15. This square is supposed to have been engraved into the signet ring of Solomon and as an amulet was to have conferred power and security on him. Connecting the opposite corners and sides of the square through its center recreates the hagal rune.
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