The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-21
SYMBOL FROM THE CHINESE.
UNWITTINGLY ADOPTED As A Rail-
ROAD TRADEMARK.
The Great Monad of the MOngOIinns
and what Authorities Say Upon
Ihf. GmhiccI


the Subject
From the Morning Oregonan.
To the casual observer the simple de-
sign used by tho Northern Pacific Rail-
way Company as a distinguishing trade
mark for the property and documents of
the company is of little significance That
is, to the Caucasian; but 20 the Chinese
who view that plain sign there are great
ly different sentiments. The plain stamp
of two commas. the one red and the other
black. placed side by side conversely, so
as to form circle inspires nothing more
than business thoughts or ideas identi-
fed with railroad system. But for the
Chinese there Is more history, divinity,
and spiritual potency in that symbol than
In any Assessed by the English-speaking
people use hat little sign appearing on the
window of the Northern Pacific office, is
to-day an object of generation to 100000
people.
The meaning of the symbol was re-
vealed in a peculiar manner Rev. w.
S. Holt. who has charge of the Presby-
terrain Chinese mission on Second and Sal
mon streets, in this city, was passing the
office of the Northern Pacific one day
when he noticed the sign. He Immediate
ly recognized it as being of Chinese origin,
and stepped into the office and asked Mr..
Charlton If he knew it's significance. This
led Mr.. Charlton to request Rev. MIR.
Holt 70 investigate the matter thorough
ly and furnish him the information.
The definition of the character Rev. Mr.
Holt was already familiar with, as he
is thorough scholar of the Chinese ian
guage, having been for twelve years in
the habits of the people for twenty-three
years. But wishing to get a knowledge
learned sinologues In China and other en-
inent authorities. The replies have not
been received yet, as some or them are 10
be from Canton, Hong Kong, Pekin, Hang
Chow and other cities in China, many Of
which are remote and difficult of access
In speaking OF the occurrence Of noticing
the sign, Rev. Mr.. Holt said:
Il knew the sign was of Chinese orr
gin as soon as saw 1t, and was prompt
ed to inquire about II, as / am Interested
in the study of that people. Mr. Charlton
asked me what / knew about IL, and /
wrote him out a statement containing
all the information TO be derived from
Wishing 10 learn what / could in regard
to 1t, l have written to those various
places TO furnish me full particulars as to
its origin, date, name, relation 10 Chinese
cosmogony, and the modern use of IL
among the Chinese. ] expect replies be-
fore great time.
While at Hang Chow, which is located
at the southern terminus of the Grand
canal. l found the diagrams usually &C
cOmpanying this symbol engraved on eight
large stones, within the city limits. The
stones indicated great age, and from their
position on the emlnence were very inn
preSsiVe to a reflective mind IL is posi-
BILE for ages upon ages they have oc-
cupied that place. and been supersti-
tious guard against evil spirits for the
inhabitants of the city.
The name of the two principles repre-
scented is Yin and Yang. Yin being the
female and Yang the male principle This
Is the foundation OF Chinese cosmogony,
and constitutes the system of their rea-
soning. The Chinese say: Tho illmit-
able produced the great extreme; the great
extreme produced the two principles; the
two principles produced the four figures;
and from the four figures were developed
what the Chinese call the eight diagrams
of Feuh-hi, 5000 years ago.
The character used by the Northern
Pacihc Is common throughout the empire
and one comes across'it everywhere Judge
o. ", Denny tells me that II appears on
the Korean flag. l will quote you au-
thorlties on the subject:
Inc great eNtreme--one OF the most
familiar objects seen anywhere In picture
and engraving is the Great Monad (the
name this author gives the SYMBOL,
"ovummundi." The philosopher Choo,,
footsze thus speaks OF il: THE great ex-
treme is merely the immaterial principle:
II Is found In the male and female princi-
pies OF nature, in the FIVE elements, in all
things. From the time the great extreme
came into operation all things were pro-
duced by transform alton.
The great extreme has neither residence
nor form. nor place. which you cal assign
20 IL. " YOU speak Of II before It's deVel-
opment. then previous TO that emana ton
IL was perfect stiffness; motion and rest
with the male and female principles Of ma
ture. are only the descent and embodiment
OF this principle"
The Great Monad IS divided into the
dark and light, with a white eye In the
dark. and q black eye in the light. These
white and black spots show there IS "a
male germ In the female, and a female
germ in tho male principle"-The Dragon,
Image and Demon, by Rev. Hampden c.
Dufjose
This symbol often occurs surrounded by
circle. which Is divided into 90 equal
parts, representing the 80 years OF the
Chinese cycle, and In each of the divis-
ions Is a character representing each year
OF the cycle and the cycle period.
ut rs most commonly seen, though on
n board from six 20 eighteen and twenty
incheD square, or one foot wide by two
feet long having the eight diagrams paint
ed around Il, 80 as 10 leave the great ex-
IRENE in the center, which Us used as a
charm to ward of evil spirits. In this
country these charms can be found In
great numbers in some OF the mercantile
houses on Second street In Portland aud
similar establishments in San Francisco.
The small ones can be carried around,
while the larger are placed over doors and