starting the symbolic language

If the I Ching can be used as a model (see I Ching blog), the bead game may have a solid starting point. In this case, the shapes used in the bead game are analogous to the yarrow sticks used in the I Ching, except there are three basic shapes in the bead game instead of the two yarrow sticks. This will create a base set of 27 elements, to the 8 elements possible with the yarrow sticks (3 to the power of 3 versus 2 to the power of 3). In the case of the bead game, these elements may be used to set a topic, such as “language” or “mathematics” or “art” which will determine the meaning of other things being played in the game (The single shapes themselves may represent more basic ideas, and other types of combinations may spring into existence as well, but this should be discussed later.) For example: it’s a possibility to have the first set of 3 shapes (that make a symbol representing a topic) become the base, giving meaning to the shapes surrounding it somehow. The surrounding pieces themselves may not have any meaning until they have achieved a certain form that has meaning. This makes for a sort of tiered effect, the most basic meanings being on the lowest tier, and the more specific meanings emerging later on. This creates new possibilities with the game; for example: a new end-game condition might be to simply arrive at a specific concept, i.e. music. Following this train of thought, it is logical to extend the scope of this language and create more specific end-game conditions. Music might then extend to “Bach” or even “Fugue No. 21: B-Flat Major.” How exactly these concepts are determined is, then, the most critical question.