618
753
294
Magic Square of 5.^242
158 1 2417
16147 5 23
2220136 4
3 21191210
9 2 251811Magic Square of 7.^242
2819101 483930
2927189 7 4738
373526178 6 46
4536342516145
4 444233241513
123 4341322321
20112 49403122The ordinary Malay astrologer most likely understands very little of the peculiar
properties of a magic square, and consequently he not unfrequently makes
mistakes in the arrangement of the figures. I believe, also, that in using the
squares for purposes of divination he now usually begins at one corner and
counts straight on, the beginning place being almost always distinguished by a
small solitary crescent or crescent and star just over the square.^243 When
coloured squares are introduced, as is the case with several of the 5-squares, the
sum of 25 squares is subdivided into five sets or groups of five squares each, a
different colour being assigned to each group. These colours would no doubt
retain the comparative values usually assigned to them by Malay astrologers.
Thus white would be the best of all; yellow, as the royal colour, little, if at all
inferior to white; brown, blue, or red would be medium colours; black would be
bad, and so on.