What Exactly Is “Shushu”?

In Chinese culture, shushu (术数) is a term rich in meaning and history, often misunderstood or oversimplified as mere superstition. To truly grasp its essence, one must explore its philosophical, cultural, and practical dimensions.

The Chinese dictionary Cihai defines shushu as follows:

“Shu refers to techniques or methods, while shu denotes numbers or cosmic patterns. It is the use of various techniques to observe natural phenomena and deduce the fate or fortune of individuals and nations.”

Over time, shushu has become associated with practices like astrology, divination, the I Ching (Book of Changes), geomancy (feng shui), physiognomy, character analysis, and more. While these practices are often labeled as superstition in modern discourse, ancient Chinese scholars regarded shushu as a sophisticated system grounded in philosophy, mathematics, and observation.

To delve deeper, let’s break down the key aspects of shushu:

1. Philosophical Roots: The Yin-Yang and Five Elements

At its core, shushu is deeply rooted in yixue (the study of the I Ching), which emphasizes the interplay of yin and yang—the dual forces of opposition and balance—and the Five Elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water). These principles form the philosophical foundation for interpreting the natural world and human affairs.

For example, the I Ching uses hexagrams (sets of six lines) to represent the shifting dynamics of these forces. By understanding these patterns, practitioners of shushu sought to predict outcomes or identify optimal decisions.

2. A Fusion of Mathematics and Divination

While some may dismiss shushu as unscientific, aspects of it—like calendar calculation (lishu) and astronomical observation—are grounded in mathematics. Ancient Chinese mathematicians developed precise systems for tracking celestial movements, which informed agricultural planning and even political decisions.

Techniques such as qi men dun jia (a type of divination) or the liu ren system (astrological predictions) relied on logical frameworks that combined numbers, time cycles, and celestial patterns to make forecasts.

3. Shushu: Not Superstition, but a Reflection of Reality

Rather than dismissing shushu as mere folklore, it’s essential to recognize its role as an early attempt to understand the complexities of the universe. While modern science now provides alternative explanations, shushu reflects humanity’s enduring quest to find order and meaning in chaos.

Take feng shui (kan yu), for instance. While some perceive it as mystical, its principles—such as optimizing spatial arrangements to improve airflow or access to sunlight—have practical applications in architecture and urban planning.

Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Perspectives

To a Western audience, shushu might seem esoteric, but its underlying principles are relatable. In many ways, shushu parallels practices like astrology, numerology, and the early sciences in Western traditions. It represents a time when humanity sought answers through observation and intuition, blending philosophy, math, and metaphysical thought.

Ultimately, shushu is not just a relic of the past—it’s a window into the ingenuity and worldview of ancient Chinese culture. Understanding it helps us appreciate how different civilizations have sought to decode the mysteries of life and fate.

The Enigma of Grandma Rose

In a quiet suburban neighborhood in Ohio, twelve-year-old Emily often found herself wandering into her grandmother Rose’s study. The room was a treasure trove of ancient books, odd trinkets, and worn-out notebooks filled with cryptic symbols. Most kids would have ignored it, but Emily was captivated by its mystery.

One rainy afternoon, as thunder rumbled in the distance, Emily asked, “Grandma, why do you keep all these old things? What are they for?”

Grandma Rose chuckled, her silver hair catching the dim light. “These are the tools of shushu, my dear. It’s the art of understanding patterns—patterns in the stars, in nature, and in people.”

Emily frowned. “Like astrology? That stuff isn’t real.”

Rose leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “It’s not just astrology. It’s about noticing the invisible threads that connect everything. Let me tell you a story.”

A Hidden Pattern

When Rose was Emily’s age, she lived in Chinatown, New York City. Her father, a quiet immigrant with sharp eyes, taught her to read the stars, interpret the winds, and even predict small fortunes. “It’s not magic,” he would say. “It’s science wrapped in mystery.”

One summer, Rose’s best friend, Annie, was preparing for a piano competition. But Rose’s father warned her, “The timing isn’t right. Her energy is out of balance.”

“Don’t be silly,” Rose had argued. “Annie’s practiced for months.”

But the day of the competition, Annie’s hands trembled uncontrollably, and she stumbled through her performance. Later, doctors discovered she had an undiagnosed nerve condition. Rose’s father hadn’t predicted the medical diagnosis, but he had sensed something was off—something beyond explanation.

Back to the Present

Emily was skeptical. “But Grandma, wasn’t that just a coincidence?”

“Maybe,” Rose admitted. “But haven’t you ever had a gut feeling? A moment when everything seemed connected?”

Emily thought about the time she’d felt an unshakable urge to call her friend Lisa, only to find out Lisa’s parents were divorcing. She had no logical reason to call, yet somehow, she knew Lisa needed her.

“That’s what shushu teaches,” Rose said. “It’s not about fortune-telling. It’s about paying attention—to patterns, to intuition, to the world around you. It’s something we’ve forgotten in this noisy modern world.”

The Test

The next week, Emily faced a dilemma. She had to choose between two after-school clubs: drama and robotics. Drama was her comfort zone, but something about robotics intrigued her. Still, she hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Remembering her grandmother’s words, Emily decided to try something new. She didn’t have a logical explanation—just a feeling.

Months later, Emily stood in front of a crowd at the state robotics championship, holding the trophy her team had just won. She looked at her grandmother in the audience and smiled. Maybe there was something to this shushu after all.

A Universal Truth

Years later, Emily would often tell her friends about Grandma Rose and her strange, wonderful wisdom. “It’s not magic,” Emily would say. “It’s about noticing what others miss, trusting your instincts, and finding patterns in the chaos.”

Through Rose’s teachings, Emily had learned that shushu wasn’t just an ancient Chinese practice. It was a universal truth—a reminder to slow down, observe, and trust the quiet wisdom that lies beneath the surface.

And in that way, Rose’s legacy lived on, weaving its invisible threads through Emily’s life and beyond.