The Way of the I Ching Hexagrams

I Ching hexagrams are binary lines arranged in a specific sequence. The first hexagram consists of six solid lines, and then we get all possible combinations of solid and broken lines, until reaching the all broken lines hexagram 64. After reading this article you will know what a solid/broken line is, how three lines becomes a trigram, two trigrams an hexagram, and then how the hexagrams are arranged as a whole in the legendary I Ching.

I Ching Lines are Binary Code

The binary system is at the core of this arrangement. In binary code, the digits are represented by 0s and 1s, which are the simplest expressions of yin and yang. In I Ching, each hexagram is made up of six lines, with each line being either solid (yang) or broken (yin). This binary representation allows for 64 possible combinations, hence the total number of hexagrams in the I Ching.

Each Hexagram is Two Trigrams

Each hexagram is built from the ground up, and is formed by combining two trigrams: the lower trigram and the upper trigram. Each trigram consists, like the name imply, of three lines. The lower trigram, placed at the bottom of the hexagram, represents the inner or foundational aspects of the situation, while the upper trigram, positioned at the top, symbolizes the outer or developing aspects. The combination of these two trigrams gives rise to a specific hexagram. The hexagram convey a unique set of circumstances, energies, and can offer insight and guidance in a reading.

Here’s a more detailed explanation of the significance of the lower and upper trigrams:

The Lower Trigram:

• The lower trigram represents the internal or inner aspects of the situation or individual. It relates to the underlying influences, motivations, and attitudes that form the basis of the current situation.
• This trigram signifies the individual’s or situation’s inherent qualities, character, and starting point, offering insights into their fundamental nature and predispositions.
• In a reading, the lower trigram provides a context for understanding the roots or origins of the situation and offers guidance on how to approach it from within.

The Upper Trigram:

• The upper trigram signifies the external or outward manifestations of the situation or individual. It relates to the developing or unfolding aspects of the current circumstances.
• This trigram represents the changes, influences, and potential outcomes that are emerging or becoming visible in the situation.
• In a reading, the upper trigram offers insights into how the situation is evolving, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and how the individual or situation is interacting with the external environment.

The Building Blocks are Elements

In total, there are 8 trigrams that serve as the building blocks for the 64 hexagrams. Each trigram represents a specific natural element, energy, or concept. Here are the eight trigrams along with their names, meanings, and representations:

1. ☰ Qian (乾) – The Creative
   Meaning: Qian represents the primal, creative force of the universe. It symbolizes strength, power, and leadership. It embodies the heavens, signifying the active, masculine, and yang energy.
2. ☱ Dui (兌) – The Joyous, Lake
   Meaning: Dui embodies joy, happiness, and pleasure. It represents social interactions, celebrations, and gatherings. It symbolizes the receptive, feminine, and yin energy.
3. ☲ Li (離) – The Clinging, Fire
   Meaning: Li signifies the radiance and brilliance of fire. It represents illumination, warmth, and transformation. It embodies clarity, enlightenment, and spiritual growth.
4. ☳ Zhen (震) – The Arousing, Thunder
   Meaning: Zhen symbolizes the powerful and electrifying energy of thunder. It represents awakening, movement, and action. It embodies the stirring and transformative power of thunder.
5. ☵ Kan (坎) – The Abysmal, Water
   Meaning: Kan represents the depths of water, symbolizing danger, challenges, and the unknown. It embodies the flowing, adaptable, and flexible nature of water.
6. ☶ Gen (艮) – Keeping Still, Mountain
   Meaning: Gen signifies the solid and stable presence of a mountain. It represents stillness, contemplation, and restraint. It embodies the strength, reliability, and endurance of a mountain.
7. ☷ Kun (坤) – The Receptive, Earth
   Meaning: Kun embodies the nurturing and supportive qualities of the Earth. It symbolizes receptivity, patience, and motherly love. It represents the yin energy, providing a foundation for growth.
8. ☴ Xun (巽) – The Gentle, Wind
   Meaning: Xun signifies the gentle and penetrating qualities of the wind. It represents flexibility, adaptability, and communication. It embodies the subtle yet influential nature of the wind.

The King Wen Sequence

The most famous ordering of hexagrams is the King Wen sequence, attributed to King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty. According to legend, King Wen is said to have received divine inspiration in his dreams, leading to the creation of the sequence. This sequence is the one that is used to arrange the hexagrams in the I Ching.

Complementary Pairs

The King Wen sequence is organized in complementary pairs of hexagrams. Each hexagram is followed by its mirroring partner, which has the same lines but is turned upside down. These complementary hexagrams reflect contrasting energies or situations. Some of the hexagrams does not change when being turned upside down. In these instances, the partner is created by switching the lines; broken becomes unbroken, yang become yin.

The Book of Changes – the movement of yin and yang

The partnering in I Ching, also kalled the Book of Changes, is logical and reflects the interplay between yin and yang. The King Wen sequence as a whole though, the arrangement of the pairs, appear illogical. The reason for its arrangment remain unkown. The I Ching system seem to be more akin to telling a story. It reminds me of the tarot, which moves from the innocent Fool to the encompassing World. This story in the Book of Changes is an exploration of life phases, and can give understanding of the movement, or patterns, of the universe.

I Ching as the Cosmic Tale

Each hexagram represents a unique stage or aspect of the cosmic journey. Here’s a summarized version of the story:

1. Hexagram 1 – The Creative (乾 qián): The story begins with “The Creative,” representing the birth of the universe and the primal force that initiated all existence.
2. Hexagram 2 – The Receptive (坤 kūn): Following the creative force, “The Receptive” embodies the receptive and nurturing aspect, like the Earth that welcomes and sustains life.
3. Hexagram 3 – Difficulty at the Beginning (屯 chún): The journey encounters challenges and obstacles, signifying the initial struggles of existence.
4. Hexagram 4 – Youthful Folly (蒙 méng): Representing youthful naivety and inexperience, where the journeyers are learning the rules of life.
5. Hexagram 5 – Waiting (需 xū): A time of patience and contemplation, akin to the elements waiting to evolve into something more complex.
6. Hexagram 6 – Conflict (訟 sòng): As complexity arises, conflicts and tensions emerge, symbolizing the dynamic interplay of elemental forces.
7. Hexagram 7 – The Army (師 shī): The elements organize themselves, forming an army of forces ready for action and transformation.
8. Hexagram 8 – Holding Together (比 bǐ): Elements come together, representing cohesion and unity, much like the early stages of matter formation.
9. Hexagram 9 – Small Accumulating (小畜 xiǎo chù): Growth and accumulation are observed, as the elements gather and build upon each other.
10. Hexagram 10 – Treading (履 lǚ): Progress and movement, akin to the transformation of elements in a dynamic world.

And so the story continues:

11. Hexagram 11 – Peace (泰 tài)
12. Hexagram 12 – Standstill (否 pǐ)
13. Hexagram 13 – Fellowship (同人 tóngrén)
14. Hexagram 14 – Great Possessing (大有 dà yǒu)
15. Hexagram 15 – Modesty (謙 qiān)
16. Hexagram 16 – Enthusiasm (豫 yù)
17. Hexagram 17 – Following (隨 suí)
18. Hexagram 18 – Work on What Has Been Spoiled (蠱 gǔ)
19. Hexagram 19 – Approach (臨 lín)
20. Hexagram 20 – Contemplation (觀 guān)
21. Hexagram 21 – Biting Through (噬嗑 shì kè)
22. Hexagram 22 – Grace (賁 bì)
23. Hexagram 23 – Splitting Apart (剝 bō)
24. Hexagram 24 – Return (復 fù)
25. Hexagram 25 – Innocence (無妄 wú wàng)
26. Hexagram 26 – Great Accumulating (大畜 dà chù)
27. Hexagram 27 – Nourishment (頤 yí)
28. Hexagram 28 – Great Exceeding (大過 dà guò)
29. Hexagram 29 – The Abysmal (坎 kǎn)
30. Hexagram 30 – The Clinging, Fire (離 lí)
31. Hexagram 31 – Influence (咸 xián)
32. Hexagram 32 – Duration (恆 héng)
33. Hexagram 33 – Retreat (遯 dùn)
34. Hexagram 34 – The Power of the Great (大壯 dà zhuàng)
35. Hexagram 35 – Progress (晉 jìn)
36. Hexagram 36 – Darkening of the Light (明夷 míng yí)
37. Hexagram 37 – The Family (家人 jiā rén)
38. Hexagram 38 – Opposition (睽 kuí)
39. Hexagram 39 – Obstruction (蹇 jiǎn)
40. Hexagram 40 – Deliverance (解 xiè)
41. Hexagram 41 – Decrease (損 sǔn)
42. Hexagram 42 – Increase (益 yì)
43. Hexagram 43 – Breakthrough (夬 guài)
44. Hexagram 44 – Coming to Meet (姤 gòu)
45. Hexagram 45 – Gathering Together (萃 cuì)
46. Hexagram 46 – Pushing Upward (升 shēng)
47. Hexagram 47 – Oppression (困 kùn)
48. Hexagram 48 – The Well (井 jǐng)
49. Hexagram 49 – Revolution (革 gé)
50. Hexagram 50 – The Cauldron (鼎 dǐng)
51. Hexagram 51 – The Arousing (震 zhèn)
52. Hexagram 52 – Keeping Still, Mountain (艮 gèn)
53. Hexagram 53 – Development (漸 jiàn)
54. Hexagram 54 – The Marrying Maiden (歸妹 guī mèi)
55. Hexagram 55 – Abundance (豐 fēng)
56. Hexagram 56 – The Wanderer (旅 lǚ)
57. Hexagram 57 – The Gentle (巽 xùn)
58. Hexagram 58 – The Joyous, Lake (兌 duì)
59. Hexagram 59 – Dispersion (渙 huàn)
60. Hexagram 60 – Limitation (節 jié)
61. Hexagram 61 – Inner Truth (中孚 zhōng fú)
62. Hexagram 62 – Small Exceeding (小過 xiǎo guò)
63. Hexagram 63 – After Completion (既濟 jì jì)
64. Hexagram 64 – Before Completion (未濟 wèi jì)

The story of the elements as represented by the hexagrams in the I Ching takes us on a journey of creation, growth, challenges, progress, and completion. Each hexagram adds a unique dimension to the unfolding cosmic tale, providing insights and wisdom that have resonated with seekers and scholars for millennia.

Fun Fact: Human Design goes old school

When Human Design was created it used a hexagram system that predates I Ching -the circular Fuxi or Fu Hsi system. Since the King Wen sequence is the one that is established, Ra Uru Hu still numbered the hexagrams according to King Wen. This is why when you see the Rave Mandala, you see the Fuxi hexagrams layered on the zodiac. Because of its numbering, if you want information about a particular Human Design gate, or a Gene keys key, you can read up on the same hexagram number in your regular I Ching.