The Love Triangle Layout
Difficulty: Complicated
Casually referred to as the Love Triangle, this spread can be used to determine the dynamics of the relationship between three people, regardless of whether romance is involved. This spread is arranged in the form of a hexagram, consisting of several large and small triangles. This layout may seem somewhat complicated, but it is not entirely that difficult.
The first step is to interpret the tile for each individual position in the spread. Generally, one might ask about a relationship they are involved in, but this does not have to be the case. Ordinarily, the reader's representative tile is #1, their main person of interest is #2, and the other person would be #3.
The second step fills in the downward triangle and involves further examination of the individuals through their views of the other people. Each person has two more tiles showing the way they see and relate to the other members of the triangle. For example, Tile #6 indicates how Person #3 relates to Person #1, while Tile #9 stands for Person #1's attitude toward Person #3.
The next step completes the upward triangle and the hexagram, focusing on tiles #10–13. It also completes the many smaller triangles and hints at the potential for each relationship. The final tile, #13 can be considered the significator of the reading, which suggests the overall potential for this three-way relationship.
Your Love Triangle Reading
| P#3 | 3to2 | 2+3 |
2to3 | P#2 | ||
 |
3to1 |  |
Overall |  |
2to1 |  |
| 1+3 |  |
1to3 |  |
1to2 |  |
1+2 |
 |
 |
P#1 |  |
 |
||
 |
1: Person #1
Symbol: Innocence
The Plum tile reflects renewal and viewing your world with fresh viewpoints. It is an inherently happy tile. The Plum tile also suggests inexperience, a trait you must not allow to make you an easy target.
2: Person #2
Symbol: Pearl
The Pearl tile denotes the attainment of wealth and a life of luxury. The task will be to balance the spiritual self with the physical self.
3: Person #3
Symbol: Sword
The Sword tile indicates a decision must be made before attainment of your goals can be reached.
4: Person #1's view of #2
The rat represents industry, hard work, and determination. The rat shrewdly builds up a stockpile during the summer, so that when times get tough it will be well prepared. On the negative side, this creature can be cowardly, cunning, and cruel – and a major pest which spreads disease and destruction.
5: Person #2's view of #3
Symbol: Insect
The Insect tile indicates short-term gain through a short flurry of hectic work. It is important to realise that the gains the Insect tile offers are not lasting, or of long-term importance. At best they are a stopgap until more substantial goals come along.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Symbol: Carp
The Carp tile indicates the attainment of inner-peace, tranquillity, and freedom from the pressures of everyday life. Contentment will be realised. The Carp's vibrant colours suggest a rich life. This may mean the coming of material and/or spiritual wealth.
7: Person #2's view of #1
A proud and dominant animal who likes to strut his stuff. The rooster is the ultimate symbol of reliability and punctuality, as he never misses his morning duty of crowing at the dawn. Naturally this creature symbolises new beginnings. Also, he is a protector of the home domain.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Symbol: The Farmer
The Farmer represents rewards gained through hard work and faith in oneself. He harvests riches from the planting and nurturing of his crops.
9: Person #1's view of #3
Symbol: The Scholar
The Scholar represents gain through intellectual pursuits. The Scholar's mind is sharp and finds solutions to the most difficult problems.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
Symbol: Wood
Generally the East Wind tile represents the querent. The tiles nearest the East tile in a reading have added importance.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Symbol: Fire
The Fire tile is a strong warning that something is wrong or out of balance. The Fire tile is a warning. Your resources are in jeopardy. These endangered resources may be financial or spiritual or physical. In fact, resources of all types may be in danger.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
Symbol: Knot
The Knot tile represents both bonding and severing. If the Sword tile (2 Wan) is in your reading then the time to sever ties with someone or something is at hand. Conversely if the Duck tile (2 Bamboo) is in your reading then there is bond that will strengthen. If both appear in your reading, then you have a relationship of some kind that is of undecided value.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
A cunning and wily hunter, though aloof and somewhat of a loner. The cat's eyes are said to drive evil spirits away, especially at night because of the way they seem to glow in the dark. The cat is symbolic of night-time and represents a light in the dark, a guiding spirit.
