TaoWards Taoist Silver Octagonal Bagua Pendant

Bagua means the eight trigrams: combinations of three broken or unbroken lines. In the Book of Changes tradition they correspond to heaven, earth, thunder, wind, water, fire, mountain and lake. Around this pendant, the eight small line patterns bring those varied images into one continuous frame.

Turn it over and the characters belong to a different tradition: the Eight Gates used in historical Qimen divination. Their names are Kai, Xiu, Sheng, Shang, Du, Jing, Si and Jing—开、休、生、伤、杜、景、死、惊. They form a traditional vocabulary for distinguishing situations and directions; they are not the names of the trigrams on the front.

For a wearer today, these references can invite a personal habit: look at the circumstances, allow for change and decide deliberately. The open space gives that idea a visible form—a center you can leave clear while considering what surrounds it.

The outer edge and inner opening repeat the same eight-sided geometry. Between them, broad sloping planes create a shallow, architectural profile. As the angle changes, neighboring facets catch different amounts of light, adding definition without extra stones or color accents.

Because the center is open, clothing becomes part of the composition. A dark solid top makes the silver perimeter stand out; a pale shirt gives the darker symbols more attention. Fine prints are more likely to compete with the small markings around the edge.

A simple chain maintains the sharp geometric feel, while a plain cord gives the silver a softer contrast. Choose one that fits through the opening and lets your preferred face sit outward. Both faces are shown in the photographs; the purchase includes one pendant only.