208 
HXRAMIC STUDIO 
Fuh-hi, the discoverer of " Eight Diagra 
THE COLLECTOR 
THE PA-K WA 
Mary Chicrchill Ripley 
|OTH in shape and pattern, this rare old Chinese 
vase is a reproduction (made perchance in the 
seventeenth or eighteenth century) of the first 
vase made of porcelain as gift to an emperor 
many hundred years ago. It is ornamented 
with one of the most meaningful designs in 
Chinese art, known as the " Pa-kwa," 
or eight diagrams of " Fuh-hi", and 
of all Chinese ornament this design 
is the most important of any that 
claims our interest. It was copied 
by European potters, and is fre- 
quently found on old Spode and 
early porcelains. Rarely are the 
lines copied exactly, but are made 
to surround plates as borders, or to 
fill in as background ornament. 
Volumes have been written, both 
by Chinese and Occidental authori- 
ties regarding this design ; for our purpose, however it is not 
necessary to give explanation, but it is well to state that its 
combination of broken and unbroken lines is made with evi- 
dent intent. The unbroken lines represent the Celestial and 
male elements in nature, while the broken lines refer to 
things terrestrial and the female element. 
By three unbroken lines — reference is made to 
Father and Heaven, and by the broken lines ^^^ ^^^ we 
find Earth and Mother designated. So on through the 
Heavenly Pantheon, until the elements, fire, water, dew, etc., 
are all disposed of and distributed as possessions of sons and 
daughters of the divine parents who rule the universe. 
The central disc in the pattern on the vase, is divided by 
two semi-circles and repre- 
sents the dual powers in 
nature — male and female, — 
light and darkness, — cold 
and heat, etc. This object 
is called the " Tae-Kieh," and 
when arranged in the cen- 
ter with the eight diagrams 
around it, it is used as a 
charm and with it all sorts 
of articles are decorated. 
When porcelain was first 
discovered in China, it was 
A Square Vase of Chien Lung Porcelain, with blue curl work on background of white, 
is moulded in relief in the paste, the eight symbols and four eyes on each side. 
Height 11 inches, diameter 8 inches. Collection of J. Edward Boeck. 
reverenced because of its dual nature, consisting as it did of 
two substances, the fusible petuntze and infusible kaolin. 
There exist to day in the possession of many collectors, 
pieces both of Oriental and European ware which are dec- 
orated with lines and signs, which until lately have been 
described even in museum catalogues as " Philosophical Em- 
blems." When a sufficient amount of interest was awakened, 
students were addressed on the subject, and have given infor- 
mation which has added perceptibly to the pleasure of those 
who are making in some instances, at the present time, collec- 
tions illustrative of Chinese philosophy and the thought life 
of the Orient. 
Common Canton 
ware roughly decorated with " Yai 
"Pa-Kwa." 
In our study of objects we have to deal with the concrete 
rather than the abstract in the consideration of the patterns 
that interest us, for it is as they do appear, and not as they 
should appear in strict adherence to regulation, that we note 
them upon the art objects that we possess. The dishes used 
