Daoist Alchemy

This circular diagram illustrates the correlation between the twelve Earthly Branches, representing time and direction, and the trigrams of the I Ching. It serves as a visual guide for understanding cosmological cycles and their application in internal alchemy (Neidan) practices, common in early modern Chinese esoteric texts.

This circular diagram illustrates complex cosmological relationships, likely within a Taoist or alchemical context. It features I Ching trigrams and Earthly Branches, representing the cyclical nature of time, elements, and spiritual transformation. Such diagrams were essential tools for practitioners to visualize the underlying order of the universe and the path to internal refinement.