The Bagua Plate

WHAT IS THE BAGUA PLATE?
The concept of “The Bagua Plate” was derived from Bagua systems created by Metaphysician Carl E. Stevens, Jr. from the School of Bagua and Metaphysics. Specifically, the Bagua Energy Maps (Figure 1) are commonly referenced in Feng Shui as well as in Martial Arts Philosophy. In relation to the Bagua Energy Maps, “The Bagua Plate” (Figure 2) integrates broad subject areas such as: Food Science, Five-Element Theory and Martial Arts philosophy. I refer to the combination of these subject areas as a niche of Martial Science. This enabled me to develop this concept to help readers with strategies to adopt a healthy lifestyle mainly through consuming a colorful diet. Consequently, readers can harness energetically balanced diet using three unique approaches I developed from the Bagua systems. These are discussed subsequently.

Figure 1: The Bagua Energy Maps depicted as an Octagon and Magic Square

Figure 2: The Bagua Plate Energy Maps depicted as an Octagon and Magic Square
Copyright: Cheryl Rosita Rock
Illustrated by James Yano

As illustrated in Figure 1, the Bagua Energy Map is either depicted as an eight-sided octagon or as a magic square. According to literature, both forms, represents eight qualities of life or realities that represent the essence of who we are with our health and wellness being the center (i.e., the 9th element) of those realities. Therefore, when our health is not optimal, our realities can be affected. Hence, I conceptualized “The Bagua Plate” Energy Maps (Figure 2). They both integrate concepts from the Five-Element Theory, Bagua Energy Map and Food Science. These concepts were designed to help people foster healthy dietary habits through three unique concepts that I coined:
1. The five elements of an energetically balanced diet.
2. The eight healthy hues of an energetically balanced diet.
3. The magical formula for a balanced diet.
Additionally, this book expands on these concepts throughout each chapter supported with peer-reviewed research. The peer-reviewed substantiates what is perceived to be empirical observations of the Five-Element Theory. Consequently, interacting with “The Bagua Plate” in this practical way as a tool, motivates one in achieving health and wellness through applying the fundamentals of the Bagua Energy Map and the Five Element Theory.
WHAT IS THE BAGUA ENERGY MAP?
The Bagua Energy Maps (Figure 1) are frameworks that are superimposable, and has been used predominantly in the practice of Feng Shui. Specifically, Feng Shui is a Chinese term which translates to “wind” and “water” and involves using the five universal elements to create balance in life through harnessing the Chi, also referred to as life force energy. Essentially, the maps allow for identifying where, within the personal space, adjustments are to be made to ensure good energy flow through enhancements. For example, these adjustments can be administered through the use of elements: colors or gemstones to correct energy imbalances in a specific environment in the home or office. Furthermore, each section of the maps has their own unique characteristics where “cures” can be applied to personal spaces to balance the energy. In brief, now that the Bagua Energy Map has been defined, it is time to start learning how to nurture the energy where the areas of the Bagua intersect with Food Science, to support the enhancement of one’s health and wellness.
WHAT IS FOOD SCIENCE?
Food science is defined an interdisciplinary subject that integrates the physical and biological sciences to better understand food processes and improve food products for the general public. Furthermore, Food Science involves the study of the physical, biological, microbial and chemical makeup of food, so that they can be nutritious, safe, and sustainable. In this book, the niches of Food Science that will be discussed are Nutritional Biochemistry and Sensory Science while merging them with the Bagua System. In particular, Nutritional Biochemistry mainly involves studying and investigating the effects of food components such as bioactive compounds referred to as phytonutrients (e.g., anthocyanins in blue berries) and nutrients (e.g., vitamin C) and their effects on normal biological functions influencing human health. Moreover, the knowledge from nutritional biochemistry builds upon dietary intervention of non-communicable diseases (e.g., Cancer). Additionally, the increased risks and rates of morbidity and mortality may be related to food preferences and food security issues. Whereas, Sensory Science is an interdisciplinary field of Food Science that involves the measurement, interpretation and understanding of human responses to food products as perceived by the senses are discussed. In this book specifically taste in relation to the Five-Element Theory is emphasized. In brief, the science of the food we eat and our diets are biodynamically connected to the Five-Element Theory and Bagua systems which are niches of Martial Science.

WHAT IS MARTIAL SCIENCE?
Martial Science is a niche of Martial Arts philosophy that studies the science of Martial Arts techniques, either in unarmed or armed combat. Additionally, it synthesizes many separate fields into mind, body and spirit integration. For instance, the study of Martial Science began with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which was used to understand Herbalism to cure certain ailments, as well the interplay of various systems within the body. These included organic, systematic as well energetic mechanisms, which were studied to understand how the body reacts under imbalances and stress, the main factor contributing to disease. Specifically, Martial Science can be divided according to scope and into general categories:
1. Technical: Combative (i.e., Armed and Unarmed).
2. Applied: Health or spiritually oriented.
According to literature, most traditional Martial Arts emphasize the development and fortification of spiritual and philosophical development. An example of this is the Bagua philosophy, which is fundamentally about the interplay of Yin and Yang forces which results in change. In this book I apply these fundamentals to essentially help readers to make modifications to their diet through three conceptual tools derived from the Bagua Energy Maps to foster internal health and wellness.