The 64 Hexagrams in the I Ching Meanings

The I Ching consists of 64 hexagrams, each with its own unique meaning and symbolism. Here is a brief summary of the meanings associated with each I Ching hexagram:

The 64 Hexagrams in the I Ching Meanings

1 Chien (The Creative): Strength, creativity, leadership, initiative.
2 K’un (The Receptive): Nurturing, receptivity, harmony, stability.
3 Chun (Difficulty at the Beginning): Challenges, obstacles, perseverance.
4 Meng (Youthful Folly): Inexperience, naivety, learning from mistakes.
5 Hsü (Waiting/Nourishment): Patience, nourishment, gradual progress.
6 Sung (Conflict): Conflict, opposition, resolution, growth.
7 Shih (The Army): Discipline, organization, teamwork, strategy.
8 Pi (Holding Together/Union): Unity, cohesion, cooperation.
9 Hsiao Ch’u (The Taming Power of the Small): Modesty, humility, attention to detail.
10 Lu (Treading/Crossing): Progress, crossing obstacles, moving forward.
11 T’ai (Peace): Harmony, tranquility, balance, inner peace.
12 P’i (Standstill/Stagnation): Inaction, stagnation, waiting for the right time.
13 T’ung Jen (Fellowship with Men): Social connections, community, cooperation.
14 Ta Yu (Great Possession): Abundance, success, material wealth.
15 Ch’ien (Modesty): Humility, modesty, sincerity, simplicity.
16 Yü (Enthusiasm): Enthusiasm, passion, joy, inspiration.
17 Sui (Following): Adaptability, flexibility, going with the flow.
18 Ku (Work on What Has Been Spoiled): Restoration, healing, fixing mistakes.
19 Lin (Approach/Approaching): Approach, progress, gradual advance.
20 Kuan (Contemplation/View): Observation, insight, inner clarity.
21 Shih Ho (Biting Through): Breakthrough, determination, perseverance.
22 Pi (Grace): Elegance, gracefulness, beauty, harmony.
23 Po (Splitting Apart/Splitting): Separation, division, change, transformation.
24 Fu (Return/The Turning Point): Transition, change of direction, new opportunities.
25 Wu Wang (Innocence/The Unexpected): Innocence, spontaneity, surprises, openness.
26 Ta Ch’u (Great Accumulating): Accumulation, growth, progress, abundance.
27 I (Nourishment/Providing Nourishment): Nourishment, support, care, nurturing.
28 Ta Kuo (Preponderance of the Great): Influence, power, strength, leadership.
29 K’an (The Abysmal/Water): Danger, the abyss, introspection, caution.
30 Li (The Clinging/Fire): Clinging, attachment, illumination, passion.
31 Hsien (Influence): Influence, networking, magnetism, social connections.
32 Hêng (Duration/Persevering): Perseverance, endurance, patience, persistence.
33 Tun (Retreat): Retreat, withdrawal, reflection, regrouping.
34 Ta Chuang (The Power of the Great): Power, strength, influence, authority.
35 Chin (Progress/Advance): Progress, advancement, growth, development.
36 Ming I (Darkening of the Light): Decline, setback, introspection, seeking inner light.
37 Chia Jên (The Family/The Clan): Family, community, teamwork, support.
38 K’uei (Opposition/Contradiction): Opposition, conflict, disharmony, resolution.
39 Chien (Obstruction/Opposition): Obstacles, challenges, resistance, perseverance.
40 Hsieh (Deliverance/Release): Liberation, release, breakthrough, freedom.
41 Sun (Decrease/Diminishing): Decrease, reduction, letting go, surrender.
42 I (Increase/Growth): Increase, growth, expansion, abundance.
43 Kuai (Breakthrough/Resolution): Breakthrough, resolution, progress, transformation.
44 Kou (Coming to Meet/Encounter): Meeting, encounter, synchronicity, connection.
45 Ts’ui (Gathering Together/Massing): Gathering, unification, collective effort, consolidation.
46 Shêng (Pushing Upward/Ascending): Progress, advancement, upward movement, expansion.
47 K’un (Oppression/Exhaustion): Oppression, weariness, depletion, seeking balance.
48 Ching (The Well): Source, nourishment, sustenance, inner resources.
49 Ko (Revolution/Molting): Revolution, transformation, change, renewal.
50 Ting (The Cauldron): Nurturing, transformation, inner alchemy, spiritual growth.
51 Chên (The Arousing/Shock): Shock, awakening, initiation, action.
52 Kên (Keeping Still/Mountain): Stillness, meditation, stability, patience.
53 Chien (Development/Gradual Progress): Development, gradual progress, step by step.
54 Kuei Mei (The Marrying Maiden): Union, partnership, marriage, harmony.
55 Fêng (Abundance/Abundance of Being): Abundance, prosperity, wealth, fulfillment.
56 Lü (The Wanderer): Travel, exploration, seeking, spiritual journey.
57 Sun (The Gentle/Wind): Gentleness, flexibility, adaptability, flow.
58 Tui (The Joyous/Lake): Joy, happiness, celebration, harmony.
59 Huan (Dispersion/Dissolution): Dispersal, dissolution, release, letting go.
60 Chieh (Limitation/Restraint): Limitation, constraint, boundaries, self-discipline.
61 Chung Fu (Inner Truth): Inner truth, authenticity, integrity, inner guidance.
62 Hsiao Kuo (Preponderance of the Small): Smallness, humility, attention to detail, modesty.
63 Chi Chi (After Completion): Completion, fulfillment, achievement, reflection.
64 Wei Chi (Before Completion): Incomplete, unfinished, anticipation, preparation.

 

How to Read I Ching Hexagrams

To read I Ching hexagrams, follow these steps:

Cast the hexagram: There are different methods for casting, such as using coins or yarrow stalks. Choose a method that resonates with you. For example, with coins, assign numerical values (3 for heads, 2 for tails) and toss them six times, recording the results as solid (yang) or broken (yin) lines. This will generate two sets of three lines each.

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Record the lines: Take note of the lines you obtained from the casting. Solid lines are represented by a continuous line (—), and broken lines are represented by a broken line (- -). Record the lines from bottom to top.

Determine the primary hexagram: Combine the lower three lines with the upper three lines to form the primary hexagram. Each line represents a specific trigram, which corresponds to a certain aspect of life.

Consult the I Ching text: Look up the primary hexagram in an I Ching book or online resource. Read the associated text, which provides insights, advice, and potential interpretations based on the hexagram’s symbolism and meaning. Pay attention to the judgment and commentary sections, as they offer deeper insights into the hexagram’s significance.

Check for changing lines: If any of the lines obtained from the casting are moving lines (i.e., they change from solid to broken or vice versa), you have a changing hexagram. Take note of the line numbers and their changing status.

Determine the changing hexagram: To find the changing hexagram, replace the changing lines with their opposites. Solid lines become broken, and broken lines become solid. This creates a new hexagram.

Consult the I Ching text for the changing hexagram: Look up the changing hexagram in the I Ching text. Read the associated text, paying attention to the changing lines’ interpretations and their influence on the overall hexagram’s meaning.

Reflect and interpret: Reflect on the insights provided by the hexagram(s) and consider how they relate to your question or situation. Use your intuition and understanding of the I Ching principles to interpret the symbolism and apply the guidance to your circumstances.

Remember that reading I Ching hexagrams is a personal and reflective process. It’s essential to approach it with an open mind and consider the guidance offered as a tool for self-reflection, decision-making, and personal growth.

I Ching Accuracy

The experimental I Ching approach was compared to three different control procedures. Only 4.5% of the results for the control methods were significant or marginally significant, which could all be attributable to chance, whereas 14% of tests employing the experimental approach had significant or marginally significant impacts.

Purpose
For thousands of years, the I Ching has functioned as a philosophical taxonomy of the cosmos, a guide to an ethical existence, a manual for rulers, and an oracle of one’s personal and state’s future.

I Ching Influences

Mathematics, science, medicine, martial arts, philosophy, history, literature, art, ethics, military affairs, and religion have all been influenced by it. The I Ching is described by Joseph Campbell as “an encyclopedia of oracles, based on a mythic view of the universe that is fundamental to all Chinese thought.”

I Ching Significance

For thousands of years, the I Ching has functioned as a philosophical taxonomy of the cosmos, a guide to an ethical existence, a manual for rulers, and an oracle of one’s personal and state’s future.

   

 

 

   

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