The 64 Hexagrams
The I Ching builds 64 hexagrams from two trigrams, one above the other. Each has a judgment and an image: two short classic texts, shown in Chinese with English translations. Choose one to read its meaning, or cast your own reading to see which hexagram answers your question.
- 1 The Creative 乾为天Strength and self-renewal
- 2 The Receptive 坤为地Receptive support
- 3 Difficulty at the Beginning 水雷屯Early struggle, first foundations
- 4 Youthful Folly 山水蒙Learning and humble inquiry
- 5 Waiting 水天需Waiting for the right moment
- 6 Conflict 天水讼Dispute and yielding
- 7 The Army 地水师Discipline and leading a group
- 8 Holding Together 水地比Alliance and union
- 9 The Taming Power of the Small 风天小畜Small restraint, slow gathering
- 10 Treading 天泽履Treading carefully within proper order
- 11 Peace 地天泰Harmony and flow
- 12 Standstill 天地否Blockage: withdraw and keep still
- 13 Fellowship with Men 天火同人Shared purpose with others
- 14 Possession in Great Measure 火天大有Abundance and using it well
- 15 Modesty 地山谦Modesty and quiet strength
- 16 Enthusiasm 雷地豫Joy that moves with the times
- 17 Following 泽雷随Following what is right
- 18 Work on What Has Been Spoiled 山风蛊Repairing what has decayed
- 19 Approach 地泽临Approaching, growing in strength
- 20 Contemplation 风地观Observing and reflecting
- 21 Biting Through 火雷噬嗑Biting through obstacles
- 22 Grace 山火贲Adornment and presentation
- 23 Splitting Apart 山地剥Falling away and cutting losses
- 24 Return 地雷复Return and a new beginning
- 25 Innocence 天雷无妄Acting without scheming
- 26 The Taming Power of the Great 山天大畜Storing up strength
- 27 Nourishment 山雷颐Nourishing body and mind
- 28 Preponderance of the Great 泽风大过Overload; lightening the load
- 29 The Abysmal 坎为水Repeated danger, steady trust
- 30 The Clinging 离为火Clarity that clings to what is right
- 31 Influence 泽山咸Mutual attraction and open hearts
- 32 Duration 雷风恒Lasting, steady constancy
- 33 Retreat 天山遁Withdrawing to preserve strength
- 34 The Power of the Great 雷天大壮Strength held in check
- 35 Progress 火地晋Rising into the light
- 36 Darkening of the Light 地火明夷Hidden light, steady integrity
- 37 The Family 风火家人Household order and inner stability
- 38 Opposition 火泽睽Divergence and finding common ground
- 39 Obstruction 水山蹇Obstruction: turn inward
- 40 Deliverance 雷水解Release from the knot
- 41 Decrease 山泽损Giving something up to gain
- 42 Increase 风雷益Gaining through giving
- 43 Break-through 泽天夬Decisive resolution
- 44 Coming to Meet 天风姤Unexpected encounter; guard against small beginnings
- 45 Gathering Together 泽地萃Gathering and drawing together
- 46 Pushing Upward 地风升Steady ascent
- 47 Oppression 泽水困Exhaustion; holding to one's will
- 48 The Well 水风井The well that nourishes, staying rooted
- 49 Revolution 泽火革Change that sheds the old
- 50 The Caldron 火风鼎Renewal and a new order
- 51 The Arousing 震为雷Shock that calls for alertness
- 52 Keeping Still 艮为山Stopping and keeping one's place
- 53 Development 风山渐Gradual progress in good order
- 54 The Marrying Maiden 雷泽归妹Unequal footing; wait for the right time
- 55 Abundance 雷火丰Fullness at its height
- 56 The Wanderer 火山旅The traveler: careful and modest
- 57 The Gentle 巽为风Gentle penetration; persistent softness
- 58 The Joyous 兑为泽Joy in connection; learning together
- 59 Dispersion 风水涣Dispersal and gathering again
- 60 Limitation 水泽节Restraint with measure
- 61 Inner Truth 风泽中孚Inner sincerity and mutual response
- 62 Preponderance of the Small 雷山小过A small excess; fly low
- 63 After Completion 水火既济Completion, guarding against reversal
- 64 Before Completion 火水未济Not yet complete; keep going