Bagua Terrace

　　    Bagua Terrace is situated within Mingdao Palace, built on a bluestone base with white marble railings. The railings are engraved with patterns of the magical instruments used by the “Eight Immortals”—Zhang Guolao, Lü Dongbin, Han Xiangzi, He Xiangu, Tieguaili, Han Zhongli, Cao Guojiu, and Lan Caihe—namely the fish drum, sword, flute, lotus, gourd, fan, jade tablet, and flower basket.

　　    At the center of the terrace floor lies the Yin-Yang Fish Taiji diagram. The Taiji diagram consists of a circle with interlocking black and white fish shapes inside. The black fish has a white eye, and the white fish has a black eye. Black represents Yin, and white represents Yang. They exist within each other—everything is formed through the interaction of these two energies. The black and white fish shapes respectively symbolize the Yin and Yang energies that constitute all things. Yin and Yang form the world and the universe; in other words, every aspect of existence contains both Yin and Yang. These forces are opposed to each other, yet unified; they depend on one another, penetrate each other, and transform into one another. The process of development in all things is always characterized by the opposition and unity of Yin and Yang.

　　    The most distinctive feature of the Taiji diagram is that it condenses the abstract theory of Yin and Yang into a simple yet highly vivid geometric shape. It represents the crystallization of the extraordinary wisdom of ancient Chinese laborers and offers a highly symbolic summary of the origin and development of the cosmos. This Bagua Terrace is a unique structure within the Mingdao Palace complex, commemorating Laozi.

　　    Source: Luoyi County People's Government Website