Guide
The 64 Hexagrams
A hexagram is a figure of six stacked lines — the foundation of every I Ching reading. Understanding hexagrams means understanding the language the oracle speaks.
The Two Lines
Every hexagram is built from just two kinds of lines — yang (solid) and yin (broken). Six of these lines, read from bottom to top, form one hexagram. With 2 possibilities per line and 6 lines total, there are exactly 2⁶ = 64 possible hexagrams.
Yang — Solid line
Active, light, strong. Associated with Heaven, the sun, and forward movement.
Yin — Broken line
Receptive, dark, yielding. Associated with Earth, the moon, and stillness.
The 8 Trigrams
Before combining into hexagrams, lines first form trigrams — groups of three. There are 8 trigrams, each representing a natural force or element. Every hexagram is made of two trigrams stacked together: a lower trigram (inner situation) and an upper trigram (outer situation or environment).
Heaven
乾 (Qiān)
Creative, strong, initiating
Earth
坤 (Kūn)
Receptive, yielding, nurturing
Water
坎 (Kǎn)
Deep, dangerous, flowing
Fire
離 (Lí)
Radiant, clinging, illuminating
Thunder
震 (Zhèn)
Arousing, shocking, awakening
Wind
巽 (Xùn)
Gentle, penetrating, persistent
Mountain
艮 (Gèn)
Still, keeping, meditative
Lake
兌 (Duì)
Joyful, open, expressive
Changing Lines
One of the most powerful features of the I Ching is the concept of changing lines. When you cast a reading using the yarrow stalk method, some lines are "in transition" — an old yang line (too full of energy) is about to become yin, and an old yin line (too full of stillness) is about to become yang.
These changing lines transform the primary hexagram into a second hexagram — called the relating hexagram. The primary hexagram describes your current situation. The relating hexagram shows where things are moving — the potential future, or the deeper resolution underneath the surface.
The four line types
All 64 Hexagrams
Select a hexagram to read its full meaning, classical judgment, and symbolic image.
#1
The Creative
Creative Force
#2
The Receptive
Receptive Earth
#3
Difficulty at the Beginning
Initial Struggle
#4
Youthful Folly
Inexperience
#5
Waiting
Patient Waiting
#6
Conflict
Dispute
#7
The Army
Discipline
#8
Holding Together
Union
#9
The Taming Power of the Small
Small Restraint
#10
Treading
Conduct
#11
Peace
Harmony
#12
Standstill
Stagnation
#13
Fellowship with Men
Community
#14
Possession in Great Measure
Great Abundance
#15
Modesty
Humility
#16
Enthusiasm
Inspiration
#17
Following
Adaptability
#18
Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Repair
#19
Approach
Drawing Near
#20
Contemplation
Observation
#21
Biting Through
Resolution
#22
Grace
Adornment
#23
Splitting Apart
Dissolution
#24
Return
Renewal
#25
Innocence
Spontaneity
#26
The Taming Power of the Great
Great Potential
#27
Corners of the Mouth
Nourishment
#28
Preponderance of the Great
Critical Mass
#29
The Abysmal
Danger
#30
The Clinging
Clarity
#31
Influence
Attraction
#32
Duration
Perseverance
#33
Retreat
Withdrawal
#34
The Power of the Great
Great Strength
#35
Progress
Advancement
#36
Darkening of the Light
Concealment
#37
The Family
Community
#38
Opposition
Difference
#39
Obstruction
Difficulty
#40
Deliverance
Liberation
#41
Decrease
Reduction
#42
Increase
Growth
#43
Break-through
Resolution
#44
Coming to Meet
Unexpected Encounter
#45
Gathering Together
Congregation
#46
Pushing Upward
Ascent
#47
Oppression
Exhaustion
#48
The Well
Source
#49
Revolution
Transformation
#50
The Caldron
Transformation
#51
The Arousing
Shock
#52
Keeping Still
Stillness
#53
Development
Gradual Progress
#54
The Marrying Maiden
Transition
#55
Abundance
Fullness
#56
The Wanderer
Travel
#57
The Gentle
Penetrating Wind
#58
The Joyous
Joy
#59
Dispersion
Dissolution
#60
Limitation
Boundaries
#61
Inner Truth
Sincerity
#62
Preponderance of the Small
Small Excess
#63
After Completion
Fulfillment
#64
Before Completion
Almost There
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