Introduction to 36 Strategies
(excerpt from the book" 36 strategies of the chinese" by Wee Chow hou and Lan Luh Luh)


Background

Historians today have still been unable to establish the exact time period and authors of the famous "Thirty-six Strategies". The most commonly used strategy, Strategy 26, "Escape - the best strategy" (三十六计, 走为上策), was first mentioned in "The Biography of Wang Jingze" (王敬则传) , a chapter appearing in Nan Qi Shu (南齐书) which writes that among "the thirty-six strategies of Master Tan, escape is the most supreme strategy" (檀公三十六策, 走为上计). The details of the escape of Master Tan or Tan Daoji (檀道济), a famous Song General, from the state of Wei was narrated in the 15th chapter of Nan Shi (南史), "The Biography of Tan Daoji" (檀道济传). The same phrase regarding the supremacy of the art of escape also appears in "Yuan Cai" (渊才), a chapter in The Night Tales of Leng Zhai (冷斋夜话). Judging from records, the "Thirty six Strategies" should have a history of near two thousand years.

Although the "Thirty-six Strategies" is a summary of some of the war strategies used by the ancient Chinese warriors, the name "Thirty-six Strategies" may have come from Yi Jing's (or I-Ching) (易经) "Yin Yang Theory" (阴阳学说) which uses the Tai Yin number of 66 (太阴六六之数) to mean "many tricks". The main statement which sums up the "Thirty-six Strategies" writes:



The stategist holds the key to the appropriate application of a strategy to each situation. As situations (like war conditions) change, so must the strategies. Thus, how well a strategist assesses a situation determines how good he is in applying the right strategy. The process is dynamic and the strategist is the guru. There is no single answer to any problem or situation; the answer depends on the strategists.


Classification of the 36 Strategies

Generally, the Thirty-six Strategies are grouped under 6 categories. Each category contains 6 strategies. The six categories in turn can be used in two types of situations. The three categories, the "Advantageous Strategies" (胜战计）, the "Opportunistic Strategies" (敌战计） and the "Offensive Strategies" (攻战计） are used in a winning situation. The other three categories, the "Confusion Strategies" (混战计）, the "Deception Strategies" (并战计） and the "Desperate Strategies" (败战计） are used in a disadvantageous situation. However, the application and usage of these strategies can be mingled in various combinations. They are not intended to be used singly, nor are they only applicable in either a winning or losing situation. The possible combination and application of these strategies are limited only by the imagination and creativity of the strategist.

Other than Strategy 36, nobody can be certain of the content of the other thirty-five strategies. The most commonly-used version is that by an Anonymous author. Nevertheless, over the years, these strategies have been commonly cited and used by many generals as well chinese businessman.

(to be continued..)

Advantageous Strategies (胜战计)

The "Advantageous Strategies" are used in situations when time and resources are to one's advantage, when there is no need to rush, and detailed planning can be carried out. The six strategies in this category include the following:

1. "Deceiving the heavens to cross the sea"
(瞒天过海 or "Man Tian Guo Hai")

2. "Besieging Wei to save Zhao"
(围魏救赵 or "Wei Wei Jiu Zhao")

3. "Killing with a borrowed knife"
(借刀杀人 or "Jie Dao Sha Ren")

4. "Conserving energy while the enemy tires himself out"
(以逸待劳 or "Yi Yi Dai Lao")

5. "Looting a house on fire"
(趁火打劫 or "Chen Huo Da Jie")

6. "Making a feint to the east but hitting out in the west"
(声东击西 or "Sheng Dong Ji Xi")

Opportunistic Strategies (敌战计)

The "Opportunistic Strategies" thrive on situations where vulnerabilities can be exploited. The idea is to capitalise on all opportunities so as to gain the advantage. The strategies include:

7. "Creating something out of nothing"
(无中生有 or "Wu Zhong Sheng You")

8. "Secret escape through Chen Cang"
(暗渡陈仓 or "An Du Cheng Cang")

9. "Observing the fire from the other side of the river"
(隔岸观火 or "Ge An Guan Huo")

10. "A dagger sheathed in a smile"
(笑里藏刀 or "Xiao Li Cang Dao")

11. "The plum dies in place of the peach"
(李代桃僵 or "Li Dai Tao Jiang")

12. "Stealing a goat along the way"
(顺手牵羊 or "Shun Shou Qian Yang")

Offensive Strategies (攻战计)

Like the Advantageous Strategies, the "Offensive Strategies" are used in situations when time and resources are not constraining factors. However, these strategies seek to gain victory through direct attack. The six strategies include:

13. "Hitting the grass to startle the snake"
(打草惊蛇 or "Da Cao Jing She")

14. "Borrowing a corpse to resurrect a soul"
(借尸还魂 or "Jie Shi Huan Hun")

15. "Luring a tiger from its lair in the mountain"
(调虎离山 or "Diao Hu Li Shan")

16. "Releasing the enemy to recapture him later"
(欲擒故纵 or "Yu Qin Gu Zong")

17. "Tossing out a brick to get a jade"
(抛砖引玉 or "Pao Zhuan Yin Yu")

18. "Disband the bandits by arresting their leader"
(擒贼擒王 or "Qin Zei Qin Wang")

Confusion Strategies (混战计)

The "Confusion Strategies" aim to confuse a pursuing enemy to throw him off his guard. In this way, valuable time can be gained in making one's escape. These strategies include:

19. "Pulling out the firewood from beneath the cauldron"
(斧底抽薪 or "Fu Di Chou Xin")

20. "Catching a fish in troubled waters"
(混水摸鱼 or "Hun Shui Mo Yu")

21. "Making an unnoticed escape like a golden cicada shedding its skin"
(金蝉脱壳 or "Jin Chan Tuo Ke")

22. "Shutting the doors to catch the thief"
(关门捉贼 or "Guan Men Zhuo Zei")

23. "Befriend the far and attack the near"
(远交近攻 or "Yuan Jiao Jin Gong")

24. "Borrow a passage to attack Guo"
(假途伐虢 or "Jia Tu Fa Guo")

Deception Strategies (并战计)

Deception is commonly used in war to create advantages for oneself, and to handicap the enemy. Such strategies are designed to mislead the enemy. They include the following:

25. "Replace superior beams and pillars with inferior ones"
(偷梁换柱 or "Tou Liang Huan Zhu")

26. "Pointing at the mulberry but scolding the locust tree"
(指桑骂槐 or "Zhi Sang Ma Huai")

27. "Pretending to be insane but remaining smart"
(假痴不颠 or "Jia Chi Bu Dian")

28. "Remove the ladder after the enemy ascends to the roof"
(上屋抽梯 or "Shang Wu Chou Ti")

29. "Deck the tree with flowers"
(树上开花 or "Shu Shang Kai Hua")

20. "The guest takes over as host"
(反客为主 or "Fan Ke Wei Zhu")

Desperate Strategies (败战计)

In a desperate situation, one may have to resort to unconventional and unorthodox methods and means. As such, some of these strategies can be quite dramatic and "tragic". However, when used appropriately, such strategies can be very effective. These include:

31. "Beauty Scheme"
(美人计 or "Mei Ren Ji")

32. "Empty City Scheme"
(空城计 or "Kong Cheng Ji")

33. "Double Agent Ploy"
(反间计 or "Fan Jian Ji")

34. "Self-injury scheme"
(苦肉计 or "Ku Rou Ji")

35. "A series of interconnected ploys"
(连环计 or "Lian Huan Ji")

36. "Escape - the best scheme"
(走为上 or "Zou Wei Shang")

I found a website that I want to share that gives historic examples of these 36 strategies.

http://www.geocities.com/auchengyu/strategies

The 36 strategies also have an application in wei'chi. For example, the self-injury scheme is actually a trap revival. In order to get back in the game, the player makes traps disgused as vulnerabilites. That would also seem to be the "Luring a tiger ruse", one that killed Sun Jian I believe.

Could these be further elaborated?

Anthr site: http://www.chinastrategies.com/intro.htm

One good book on this topic is ["the Wiles of War"].

Another good 36 Strategies book is [The Thirty-six Stratagems Applied to Go].

http://senseis.xmp.net/?TheThirtySixStratagemsAppliedToGo

The Thirty-six Stratagems Applied to Go is a book by Ma Xiaochun, published by Yutopian. As the title suggests, it applies the 36 stratagems to go.

If one wants to see how 36 Strategems works, both books are great.

Anthr good [ 36 ] book is: [“The Art of the Advantage”].

Some more web sites on this matter:

* http://www.geocities.com/area51/shire/5882/36s.html
* http://www.chinapage.com/36tact1.html

Nice translations.

Yun, I found a shop in Chinatown (SG) where they have a few copies of the 36 strategies for sale. They look really old and are written on bamboo strips, bound into a long folded book scroll. The shopkeeper insists they are at least a few hundred years old. I'm doubtful. Do you think they are authentic? They only cost about S$40 each.

I rather buy the Asiapac copy of the 36 Strategems for less than $12. ... It is cheaper and I love comic books. ...

LJm,

Doubt it.

If the item has some type of value to you, go f/ it.

Saw a similar item in S/F Chinatown for over $80 (USD).

Prefer the book ["The Wiles of War"] as a 36 Strgtms book. BDM's suggestion of the A/P book is above adequate in its explaination of the [36].

Good luck in your search.

Cool Site!

Do you know the Chinese website for historic examples of the 36 strategies?

I think the best way is to run a search through a search engine. ...

Asianpac books has a good book on 36 Strgtms w/ good historical examples.

Believe their copy is only in English.

One very interesting thing about Sun Zi art of war, it matches exactly oh how Weiqi (Go) works.
The way the art of war tells u, seems to tell u how to play weiqi. Ask any weiqi player..and shows them this chapter, it amazing. How wonder weiqi is say to be apply to war too.

It is on chapter 8 i think titled Nine changes.

(Jiu Pian)Nine changes means the ever changing pattern, that must be taken into accord. In Weiqi , there are 9 crucial points (stars) too. Next it will tell u, when to attack and when not to attack. And how to surround the terrains, and learn to give up gains for a wiser gains etc. And dont attack fortify city unless u have strong support. In weiqi, u must leave a gap between ur black and opposing white, or u will lose if u dont understand any of the principles. Coz weiqi issnt simple surround. You can win only if u know the rules.

Knowing the rules isn't enough. Continue by knowing the strategies and tactics.
Studying the games of the grand masters is needed.

Study the history helps too.

Go is one of those simple games that takes 9 min of learn and a lifetime 2 master.

Just thought about your point.

Sunzi AoW contains a combination of both general strategy and and tactical specifics principles

One notion of Sunzi AoW is about identifying what target to attack.

Regardless of the climate and the terrain of battle, the strategist attacks the mind of the opposition.

Then, his/her belief system and finally his actual position through a combination of indirect and direct approaches.

If you can do that, victory @ any gamefield is guaranteed.

This Cardinal recommends the Ma Xiaochun book ["The Thirty-six Stratagems Applied to Go"]. It's a good tactical strategy book for the game of GO.

The 36 stratagems aproach is not about a set of guidelines that'll prove helpful in many different scenarios.

My take on the book:
* Every plan includes an oversight by the opponent (Threats, Opportunities. Weakness and Strengths);
* Your tactical plan and implementation is always based on positional judgment;
* Sacrifices occurs when one knows what he's doing and the plan is supported by profound experience and reading.

Good luck!

I read somewhere (although now I can't remember), that an emperor of a later dynasty (tang, song, or ming, can't remember which one either) banned this book of 36 Strategies for a long time due to its foul and decietful nature, the dark side of human nature. Can anyone find out about this and if it was true?

Most books including 36 Strategies are overrated if one does not know how to prepare themselves.
["The Will to Prepare"] is always stronger than ["The Will to Win"].


Believe about this occurence from the following book ["Chinese Mind Game: The Best Kept Trade Secret Of The East" by Chin-ning Chu] or was it ["Asian Mind Game by Chin-ning Chu].

The 36 Stratagems of Ancient China I can compare to the more recent book -- 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene Robert

Have you read this book? I almost regret buying it... not that the book is poorly written, on contrary it's rather well written. But he is very cynical, very Machiavellian (Any man who try's to be good all the time is bound to run to someone who is not good), where their is only two types of people, your either an agressor or your a victim, the trick is to get him first before he can get you.

Here are a couple of the chapter headings that I found objectionable: Get Others to do the Work for You, But Always Take the Credit, Learn to Keep People Dependent on You.

The book would'nt be bad if it concentrated on gaining power against your enemies, but the book seems to focus on concentrating on gaining power through the unknowing, naive and innocent. The book regularly refers to the other party as victims. As distasteful as this book is... the book really conveys that the author is really being sincere that he is giving you good advice, as psychotic it may be.

Someone should write a book on how to protecting yourself from this type of person. I can only recommend this book for people who wish to have a better insight how bad people think. Possibly giving you some type of edge in protecting yourself. Warning--I only can recommend this book for people with the stongest constitutions. Hence the weak shall only fall under the spell of this author and ruin the lives of your loved ones and friends.

My greatest fear is that the unscrupulous will use the book as their bible, only adding and re-enforcing to their own assortment of scheming and conniving ideas. Greene has a new book out called "The Art of Secduction" I hear its a dating guide. It's alsmost scary to think of what he published in that book.

Most ppl do not think strategy in terms of general and specific principles.

They relate to it in terms of ["fortune cookie"] sayings.

Thanks f. the suggestion.

wow, very inspiring! thank you, thank you.

Are you serious?

Nothing inspiring or enlightening.

All about common sense.

Perhaps you'd appreciate their thoughtfulness, if you dug deeper into each strategies origin. For example:

#2- Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao

"When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Know that in all things he cannot be superior. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.

Warring States Era China

This strategy derives its name from a famous incident that occurred in 354 BC. At this time one of China's most renowned strategists, Sun Bin (A descendent of the even then famous Sun Zi) was an advisor to the king of Qi. Sun had earlier been at the court of Wei but another minister, Pang Juan, became jealous of Sun's cleverness. Through court intrigues he had Sun framed as a spy, sentenced to mutilation, and imprisoned. Sun escaped and fled to Qi. Several years later the king of Wei appointed the same Pang Juan as commander of the army and sent him to attack the capital of Zhao. The king of Zhao immediately appealed to Qi for help. The king of Qi consulted his advisors who all spoke in favour of rushing to aid their ally, only Sun Bin recommended against attacking. Sun advised: " To intervene between two warring armies is like trying to divert a tidal way by standing in its path. It would be better to wait until both armies have worn themselves out." The king agreed to wait.

The siege of Zhao had lasted more than a year when Sun Bin decided the time was ripe to come to Zhao's aid. The king of Qi appointed prince Tian Ji as general and Sun as military advisor. Tian Ji wanted to attack the Wei forces directly to lift the siege of Zhao, but again Sun advised against direct intervention saying: " Since most of Wei's troops are out of the country engaged in the siege, their own defence must be weak. By attacking the capital of Wei, we will force the Wei army to return to defend their own capital thereby lifting the siege of Zhao while destroying the Wei forces in turn." Tian Ji agreed to the plan and divided his army into two parts, one to attack the capital of Wei, and the other to prepare an ambush along the route to the capital.

When the Wei general Pang Juan heard that the capital was being attacked, he rushed his army back to defend the capital. Weakened and exhausted from the year long siege and the forced march, the Wei troops were completely caught by surprise in the ambush and suffered heavy losses. Chao was thus rescued while Pang Juan barely escaped back to Wei to recoup his losses. Sun Pin would later defeat his nemesis Pang Juan using another classic strategy."


If you found this interesting, there are more in depth explanations such as this one found on the website:

http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=36ji&no=0

Sebastian 朱垚

Read similar material many moons ago and written more articles on strategies long before you ever read it. Any one can show the obvious. It is the unobvious that is divine.

I hope no one minds if I add the examples to these strategies [I think the word 'trick' would be better]

1.Deceiving the heavens to cross the sea
In Year 589AD, Sui began the preparation to invade Cheng. Cheng is founded in 557AD by Cheng BaXian, its capital in Jiang Kang, today's Nan Jin. Before the war, Sui General He [贺若弼] was ordered to command the defense by river, his duty are generally involve mobilizing troops for defense. He would always command his troops to converge in LiYang, around today's An Hui provence area. At the same time, he would command them to always raise banner, make noises and rouse suspicion, in order to confuse the enemy. Cheng did became confused by such tactic; at first when it thought a huge force was assembled, it raise its army to meet it. Then it realize its simply Sui troops switching station. It then disband its forces. While this happen constantly, Cheng eventually drop its guard, so when Sui did assemble its fighting force, Cheng thought it was another switch, and so when General He cross the river and began his campaign, Cheng never realize. So Sui took Souther Xu with such ease since no one expect Sui troops.

2.
Someone did 2.

3. [one of my favorite.]Killing with a borrowed knife

In Spring and Autumn period, before Duke Hen of Zheng attack Hui[ 郐.. is that how you spell it?], he find out the able generals and officers of Hui, and build a list which claim after he took Hui, who would be reward with such and such, and vow to heaven that he would fulfill it, and buried it underground. When the Duke of Hui [I prefer to use Duke instead of King] find out, he complains that he was betrayed and ordered these able man killed. Zheng took Hui with ease.

---------------

Towards the end of Spring and Autumn, Duke Jian of Qi named Guo Shu as general, and began the invasion of Lu. Lu is small and is no match to Qi. Zi Gong, a student of Confucius [disciple, student, whatever] analyze the political situation, and believe only Wu is equal to Qi, so it is possible to borrow Wu's troops to fight Qi. So Zi Gong went to Qi to convince the Minister of Qi, Tian Chang.

Tian Chang was already thinking of a coup, so he desire to eliminate possible rivals and loyalists. Zi Gong told him, 'with enemies outside [your countries] you want to attack weak enemies, with enemies are inside [your country] you want to attack strong enemies.' Zi Gong persuade him, do not let your rivals strengthen themselves by allowing them to command armies to attack the weak Lu, but rather use strong Wu's force to destroy his rivals. Tian Chang was convinced, but since Qi already prepare for the invasion of Lu, and there are no valid excuse to attack Wu, he fear he cannot change target. Zi Gong said, 'That is easy. I will convince Wu to help Lu by attacking Qi, won't that provide an excues?' Tian Chang agreed.

Zi Gong reached Wu, and told its King FuChai, 'If Chi overtake Lu, it will become strong, and it will definitely attack Wu. If Great King doesn't attack them, allied yourself with Lu, then Wu would have to face Qi alone later. But if you defeat Qi, you will have the ability to rival Jin, won't you reign supreme?' Zi Gong then went to Zhao, and convinced Zhao to help Wu to attack Wu.

After Zi Gong convinced three dukedom, he thought that after Wu defeat Qi, it will eventually try to control Lu, thus Lu won't be safe. So he secretly went to Jin, and told Duke Ding of Jin that, if Wu were to successful defeat Qi, and control Lu, it will no doubt turn to Jin, in order to reign supreme. [I thought I can use supreme for 争霸中原, since I really cannot find a better English word that fittingly describe what it meant.] He ask Jin to prepare its defense and mobilize its armies.

In Year 484 B.C, Duke FuChai of Wu personally command one hundred thousand man and three thousand Yue troops and began his campaign against Qi. Qi's army were tricked, and fall into a trap. Qi's commander Guo Shu and multiple generals were killed, so Qi sue for peace. FuChai became arrogant after defeating the major power Qi, and turn his sight to Jin. However, since Jin was prepared, they were able to fend off Wu. Zi Gong used conflict between Wu, Yue, Jin, Qi's ambition, helped small Lu remain independent.

========================

This man, really is something.

4.Conserving energy while the enemy tires himself out
Towards the end of Warring State, Qin's General, young Li XingXiao, commanded two hundred thousand man and attack Chu. In the beginning, he was victorious. But soon, he fall into a trap on Chu general Xiang Yan and was routed. Later, King of Qin named retired general Wang Jian as commander. Wang Jian commanded six hundred thousand man, and station right next to Chu's border. He did nothing except to prepare for its defense, and the enemies were convinced that he is fighting defensive warfare. Wang Jian allow his troops to rest and drill. After a year, with constant failed raiding on the Chu part, morale of Chu were dropping, and they think Wang Jian is only defending, so they began to fall back. Wang Jian realize the time is now, and pursue Chu's army. Chu's army was overwhelmed, in 223 BC, Chu was vanquished.
-----------------------------------------------
In time of Three Kingdom, after Wu killed Shu's general Guan Yu, Liu Bei, King of Shu, raised seven hundred thousand man and began to invade Wu. From the Long River and down they sailed, with height advantage, they routed every army they face. Till XiaoTing, [彝陵，哮亭. I cannot spell the first, so I use the latter] Liu Bei is deep in enemy territory. Sun Quan, King of Wu, named Lu Xun as commander, with fifty thousand man, he was to face Liu Bei. Lu Xun decided Liu Bei's morale was very high, and have high ground, so attacking his position will be difficult, so he slowly withdraw and baiting Liu Bei in. Goated, Liu Bei chase after Lu Xun. Thus, while Lu Xun left the mountain range, Liu Bei occupied it. Yet, his troops cannot all be place in one position or even position close to each other, as the mountain range limit how much troops one area can sustain, he was forced to divide his force and camp them over several hundred li. Lu Xun waited for half a year, as Liu Bei's troops stuck in the mountain, their morale drop rapidly, Lu Xun began his attack. And Lu Xun set fire to Shu's camps, and mountain fire destroyed much of Shu's troops.


5. Looting a house on fire
In Spring and Autumn time, after Wu defeated Yue, Yue submit to Wu and agree to many humiliating terms, and its Duke did many humiliating things and eventually won Duke FuChai of Wu's trust, and was allow to return to his home. He spent ten year preparing for vengeance. While Wu became a major power, its Duke became arrogant and, eventually killed his able general Wu ZiXu. He began many project which eventually leads to a weakening of his country. In Year 473 BC, Wu was hit by famine, and while Duke FuChai was answering to alliance in HuangChi with other major Dukes, Duke of Yue attacked Wu. Wu was weakened by many natural and man made disaster, thus soon it was vanquished.

These strategies are still effective today. Not just in war but in every day life.

The Thirty Six Strategies is itself a work of masterful deception, a xiangshu classic, each strategy being derived from the corresponding hexagram of the I Ching. Strategy 15, for example, is "Lure tiger from mountain." The lower trigram of hexagram 15 is Ken, mountain, which the trigram resembles. The upper trigram is Kun, Earth, made of two columns of parallel lines. These parallel lines are the stripes on the sides of the tiger.

Hexagram 15

gg . .gg
gg . .gg Stripes of the Tiger
gg . .gg
ggggg
gg . .gg Mountain
gg . .gg

Tom

Why do you say the 36 Strategies were derived from I Ching?
It felt its more like from history then it is from I Ching

>Why do you say the 36 Strategies were derived from I Ching?

I say it, Mariusi, because I have examined the Thirty Six Strategies in the light of the hexagrams, and in many cases can identify exactly how the strategy is derived from its corresponding hexagram.

Hexagrams are a fundamental but esoteric aspect of Chinese culture. If the hexagrams are unknown, much in traditional Chinese culture must seem mysterious. If one is unaware of the role of hexagrams in Chinese culture and would like to learn about this visual approach to them, I recommend The True Eye of the Tiger by Sakis Totlis. This free book can be downloaded from Sakis's website:

http://www.sakistotlis.gr/english/c.%20phi...20i%20ching.htm

If this long URL doesn't work for you,

Click on

http://www.sakistotlis.gr/

And you'll see Mr. Totlis's picture.

Click on the British flag to get English.

Scroll down just a little bit, and
click on _GO TO : SAKIS TOTLIS ENGLISH WORKS PAGE_

Then click on _Philosophy_

Then click on _I Ching_

The book is available as a webpage, a PDF file, or as a printed copy from Amazon. I mostly use the webpage, but the PDF is more attractive and better edited. The True Eye is limited to hexagram pictures in the I Ching, and does not discuss The Thirty Six Stragegies or other applications.

>It felt its more like from history then it is from I Ching

Yes, it might, but you are responding to editorial padding and not the original text of the Strategies. The original text is a mere 138 characters.

http://www.chinapage.com/36tact1.html
-- the complete text on one page

http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=36ji&no=15
-- the complete text with automatic lookup of the characters

Strategy 28: Above Go ladder Remove

Hexagram 28

gg . .gg Top of Ladder
ggggg
ggggg Rungs
ggggg
ggggg
gg . .gg Bottom of Ladder


Strategy 29: Affix Blossoms To Tree

Hexagram 29

gg . .gg Flowers
ggggg Branch
gg . .gg Flowers
gg . .gg Flowers
ggggg Branch
gg . .gg Flowers

Tom

Hi Thomas!!

Long time no "read" you... Always glad to read your insights into Yijing.

Best,

Thanks for the kind compliment, Luis. I have been busy with filial duties, but am now out of the mourning hut, and "I'm the one with the duty to save what's left."

Here's the horse in Hexagram 22:

ggggg
gg . .gg Head
gg . .gg
ggggg
gg . .gg Nostrils
ggggg

The author of the Thirty Six Strategies made a different visual interpretation. Strategy 22 is Shut Door Catch Thief. Apparently the two columns of broken lines represent The traditional Chinese double door ('saloon door'), and line 3 is the bar that shuts the door and catches the thief.

ggggg
gg . .gg
gg . .gg
ggggg Bar
gg . .gg
ggggg

Tom

Strategies 35 and 36 are derived from hexagrams 35 and 36, both of which contain the Li trigram. In xiangshu interpretation, the Li trigram often represents eyes:

ggggg
gg . .gg Eyes
ggggg

In the case of hexagram 35 and 36, the creature to whom the eyes belong is an Owl.

Hexagram 35
The Sitting Owl

ggggg
gg . .gg Eyes
ggggg
gg . .gg
gg . .gg Wings
gg . .gg

Hexagram 36
The Owl in Flight

gg . .gg
gg . .gg Wings
gg . .gg
ggggg
gg . .gg Eyes
ggggg

Strategy 35 is "Sit still and hope nobody notices." More colloquially, "Hunker down." Strategy 36 is "Run for it," best done under cover of darkness like the flight of an owl.

The idea that Strategy 35 is "The Tactic of Combining Tactics" is, in my opinion, a misinterpretation.

35. 連 環 計 = join ring strategy

That is, When outnumbered by overwhelming forces, "Take a battle formation of a solid perimeter" or "Circle the wagons."

Tom

Thomas Hood,

Thanks for your deep research into I-Ching and chinese philosophy, as well as the relationship of I-Ching with 36 chinese strategies.

However, as my understanding goes, I-Ching's application was used primarily for predicting and determining the outcome of events (i.e. divination), some of them can be quite accurate. Could it be more of an accurate concidence that many of the divination used by I-Ching tends to fit with the 36 chinese strategies?

According to my understanding of ancient chinese military studies, alot of chinese military strategy were not developed from I-Ching, but from practical experience in war. Many strategist or generals were able to crack their brain, to defeat their enemies in the battles through wit and wisdom. They then put down their experience of winning a battle in writing. This then lead us to a greater understanding of the stategic thoughts of chinese generals and strategist and ultimately the development of a vast volume of chinese military literature in chinese history.

Not surprising, alot of generals did not win a battle by divination but by skillful use of military strategy and tactics.

It would be interesting to see that some of these strategic thoughts fitting with some of the logical patterns seen in I-Ching.

General, thank you for this wonderful website. I had reservations about posting because I am opposed to divination through sortilege.

Sun-Tzu condemned superstituous practice:

XI. THE NINE SITUATIONS

26. Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with
superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no
calamity need be feared.
http://www.fullbooks.com/Sun-Tzu-on-The-Ar...nel-Giles3.html

Later works were not so objective:

The SSU K`U CH`UAN SHU (ch. 99, f. 1) remarks that the
oldest three treatises on war, SUN TZU, WU TZU and SSU-MA FA,
are, generally speaking, only concerned with things strictly
military -- the art of producing, collecting, training and
drilling troops, and the correct theory with regard to measures
of expediency, laying plans, transport of goods and the handling
of soldiers -- in strong contrast to later works, in which the
science of war is usually blended with metaphysics, divination
and magical arts in general.
http://www.fullbooks.com/Sun-Tzu-on-The-Ar...nel-Giles1.html


Is strategy empirical? Is it based on the analysis of battles of known outcome? Tactics are and can be taught, but strategic thinking -- to the best of my knowledge -- cannot yet be taught because it is a habit of perception and not a specific technique.

Strategic thinking consists in seeing the situation as a whole by means of subtle objective signs within the situation. My opinion is that I-Ching philosophy can aid insightful strategic thinking, although unfortunately its current use is mostly sortilege.

Tom

i m aware tat these 36 strategies can b used in biz n management too...
anyone haf any idea where to search for the biz n management version in applyin to tdy context???

i noe a bit n will like to enhance more knowledge on it...

thx thx

The 36 Stratagems for Business : Achieve Your Objectives Through Hidden and Unconventional Strategies and Tactics by Harro von Senger. ISBN 978-1904879466

http://www.bjreview.com.cn/exclusive/txt/2...ntent_51557.htm
Harro von Senger and His 36 Stratagems By YANG JIAQING

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-Six_Strategies

Tom

Great Discussion on the 36 stratagems. I'm a fan of ancient war strategies as well. I've recently started a blog analyzing the application of the 36 stratagems in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms setting.

I'll also be looking at the application of "The Way of the General" by Zhuge Liang next week.
There are also some posts of Financial Intelligence and Value Investing (Warren Buffett)

Do drop by if you are interested.

Wonder, Wealth & Wisdom