Chinese Emperor Fu Hsi, wearing traditional costume, holding the 'Yin-yang' symbol. Watercolour, China, 18--.

Fu Hsi (ca. 4,000 BC) is the father of the Chinese Tai Chi Philosophy of yin and yang and thus the I Ching. His theory was based on a system of eight 'Trigrams' (patterns of lines based on the yin-yang symbols, which together represent stages in the continuous process of change, and the connections between past, present and future)

The 'Yin-yang' symbol represents the perfect balance between the interaction of opposites in the universe, and is central to the principles of Chinese medicine

1800-1899

1 painting : watercolour ; sheet 35.2 x 26.9 cm

Inscription in Chinese script

Wellcome Collection 567563i