䷀
Hexagram 01
Qian — Heaven
乾 · The Creative
Creative Force
Pure yang — the primal creative power at its maximum. Heaven moves with inexhaustible strength. A time of great creative potential when strong, sustained effort is appropriate. The superior person works tirelessly toward their goal.
䷁
Hexagram 02
Kun — Earth
坤 · The Receptive
Receptive Power
Pure yin — the primal receptive power. Earth receives Heaven's energy and brings all things to fruition. A time to receive, support and follow rather than to initiate. Yin strength: not passive but yielding and containing.
䷂
Hexagram 03
Zhun — Difficulty
屯 · Initial Difficulty
Difficult Beginning
Thunder beneath water — new life breaking through resistance. Like a seedling pushing through hard soil, the beginning is difficult but the life force is strong. Do not force; gather support and persevere with patience.
䷃
Hexagram 04
Meng — Youthful Folly
蒙 · Inexperience
Learning
Mountain over water — the spring emerging at the mountain's foot. Inexperience and the need for instruction. The student must come to the teacher, not the reverse. Genuine inquiry receives genuine teaching; repeated questioning deserves no answer.
䷄
Hexagram 05
Xu — Waiting
需 · Nourishment
Patient Waiting
Water in the sky — clouds before rain. The time is not yet right; forcing brings misfortune. True waiting is not passive anxiety but confident strength resting in the certainty that the right moment will come. Eat, drink and be content.
䷅
Hexagram 06
Song — Conflict
訟 · Litigation
Conflict
Heaven and water moving in opposite directions — inevitable conflict. Do not pursue the conflict to its bitter end; seek compromise midway. Consulting a mediator or wise authority is beneficial. Begin no great undertakings.
䷆
Hexagram 07
Shi — The Army
師 · Multitude
Organisation
Water within earth — a reservoir. Masses require capable leadership. This hexagram speaks to organisation, discipline and the challenges of leading people. The leader's character determines the outcome; justice and care inspire loyalty.
䷇
Hexagram 08
Bi — Holding Together
比 · Alliance
Union
Water over earth — water flowing over the earth, gathering in low places. Mutual support and union. Those who join together sincerely and promptly prosper; those who hesitate or come too late find the group already formed. Seek your allies.
䷈
Hexagram 09
Xiao Chu — Small Taming
小畜 · Small Restraint
Gentle Restraint
Wind over heaven — a gentle restraining force. The strong is temporarily held by the gentle; a major advance is not yet possible. Small accumulations and gentle persuasion achieve more now than forceful action. Patience.
䷉
Hexagram 10
Lü — Treading
履 · Conduct
Careful Conduct
Heaven above, lake below — treading on the tiger's tail. Treading carefully on dangerous ground. Cheerful, correct conduct carries you through peril without harm. Know your place and act appropriately; do not overstep.
䷊
Hexagram 11
Tai — Peace
泰 · Prosperity
Peace & Harmony
Earth above heaven — the energies meet and mingle. A great time of peace and prosperity in which heaven and earth are in harmony. The small departs; the great approaches. Use this auspicious period to accomplish great things.
䷋
Hexagram 12
Pi — Standstill
否 · Stagnation
Stagnation
Heaven above earth — heaven and earth draw apart, no communication. A time of stagnation in which the inferior gains power and the superior withdraws. Do not advance; conserve your strength and inner integrity. This too shall pass.
䷌
Hexagram 13
Tong Ren — Fellowship
同人 · Community
Fellowship
Heaven above fire — the fire of the sun illuminating the world. Fellowship with others in the open field. Genuine community built on shared values and openness to all — not on exclusion or partisanship. Crossing great rivers together is auspicious.
䷍
Hexagram 14
Da You — Great Possession
大有 · Abundance
Great Abundance
Fire above heaven — the sun high in the sky, illuminating everything. Great possession and abundance. Supreme success comes from inner clarity and the correct use of resources. Suppress what is inferior; promote what is good. Share your abundance.
䷎
Hexagram 15
Qian — Modesty
謙 · Humility
Modesty
Mountain within earth — the high brought low, the low raised up. Modesty is the one hexagram with no unfavourable lines — it brings success in all circumstances. The modest person achieves without striving; their light shines brighter for not being displayed.
䷏
Hexagram 16
Yu — Enthusiasm
豫 · Readiness
Enthusiasm
Thunder above earth — the arousing energy. Enthusiasm, preparedness and joy when the right moment comes. The time to inspire others, to set things in motion. Music, ceremony and collective energy can move mountains when the time is right.
䷐
Hexagram 17
Sui — Following
隨 · Adapting
Following
Lake over thunder — thunder resting within the lake. Adapting and following the time. The wise person adjusts to what the moment requires rather than imposing their own will. Rest when the time calls for rest; act when action is required.
䷑
Hexagram 18
Gu — Decay
蠱 · Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Repair
Mountain above wind — wind at the mountain's foot, stagnating. What has been neglected must be remedied. Corruption or deterioration that has accumulated over time now requires patient, determined work to restore. Three days before and after the undertaking — preparation and follow-through.
䷒
Hexagram 19
Lin — Approach
臨 · Advance
Approach
Earth over lake — the great approaching. Advancing with willing strength toward what one governs. A time of growing influence and power. What is being built will be great, but do not neglect what matters as power increases.
䷓
Hexagram 20
Guan — Contemplation
觀 · The View
Observation
Wind over earth — the wind moving across the earth, observing all. A time for observation rather than action. Look carefully at what is really happening — in the situation, in yourself. The person of spiritual power is seen and influences others through their character.
䷔
Hexagram 21
Shi He — Biting Through
噬嗑 · Gnawing
Decisive Action
Fire above thunder — lightning and thunder. An obstacle stands in the way and must be decisively removed. Like biting through a tough piece of food, firm, direct action is needed. Legal matters may be involved; justice must be done.
䷕
Hexagram 22
Bi — Grace
賁 · Adornment
Grace & Form
Mountain over fire — fire illuminating at the mountain's foot. Grace and beauty in form. Adornment has its place, but substance matters more than appearance. Attend to small things; this is not a time for great decisions.
䷖
Hexagram 23
Bo — Splitting Apart
剥 · Deterioration
Dissolution
Mountain over earth — the mountain eroding. What has been built is now falling away. Do not fight the dissolution — it is the natural cycle completing itself so new growth can begin. Rest, conserve strength and accept what cannot be prevented.
䷗
Hexagram 24
Fu — Return
復 · The Turning Point
Renewal
Earth over thunder — the new growth beneath. The turning point: after the darkest moment, the light returns. Like the solstice, one yang line begins to grow again at the bottom. Do not force the return — allow it to unfold naturally. Seven days brings the return.
䷘
Hexagram 25
Wu Wang — Innocence
無妄 · The Unexpected
Innocence
Heaven over thunder — the unexpected arising below heaven. Innocent action aligned with the natural order brings success; calculation and ulterior motive bring misfortune. Act from your true nature without agenda.
䷙
Hexagram 26
Da Chu — Great Taming
大畜 · Great Power
Great Accumulation
Mountain over heaven — heaven within the mountain, contained. Great accumulated power held in restraint. The more power is accumulated through self-discipline and study, the greater the eventual achievement. Do not rush to use what has been stored.
䷚
Hexagram 27
Yi — Nourishment
頤 · The Corners of the Mouth
Nourishment
Mountain over thunder — the image of the mouth, nourishing. What do you nourish, and with what do you nourish it? What you take in and what you put out — food, words, thoughts — all reflect your nature and create your reality. Attend to nourishment wisely.
䷛
Hexagram 28
Da Guo — Great Exceeding
大過 · Critical Mass
Overload
Lake over wind — the ridge pole bends under excess weight. The situation has reached a critical point — the burden is too great, something must yield. Extraordinary action is required. A great person acts independently and without fear even if they stand alone.
䷜
Hexagram 29
Kan — The Abysmal
坎 · Danger
Danger & Flow
Water over water — the repeated danger. Falling into one abyss only to find another. Yet water does not pause but flows ceaselessly through every obstacle, wearing away even stone. Flow through danger rather than fighting it; maintain your inner truth.
䷝
Hexagram 30
Li — Clinging Fire
離 · Brightness
Clarity
Fire above fire — the doubled brightness. Fire clings to what it burns; light depends on what it illuminates. By clinging to what is correct and illuminating it, success comes. Care for the cow — tend the gentle things that sustain you.
䷞
Hexagram 31
Xian — Influence
咸 · Wooing
Attraction
Lake over mountain — the young man below, the maiden above. Mutual attraction and influence; the beginning of relationship. Keeping the mind free of preconceptions allows genuine influence — not manipulation but authentic openness that invites response. Auspicious to take a wife.
䷟
Hexagram 32
Heng — Duration
恆 · Perseverance
Enduring
Thunder over wind — enduring movement. Duration through consistent character, not rigid fixity. The planets endure in their courses; the seasons endure in their cycles. Constancy to one's true nature — not stubbornness — brings lasting success.
䷠
Hexagram 33
Dun — Retreat
遯 · Withdrawal
Strategic Retreat
Heaven above mountain — the mountain below heaven, the inferior advancing. Strategic retreat is not defeat but wisdom. Withdrawing in good order, maintaining inner strength, preserving what matters. The superior person does not engage with what cannot be engaged with profitably.
䷡
Hexagram 34
Da Zhuang — Great Power
大壯 · Great Vigour
Great Strength
Thunder over heaven — great power in motion. Great strength is available, but power must be used correctly or it damages the one wielding it. The truly great do not use force — their very power achieves through right conduct. The goat butting the hedge — do not become entangled.
䷢
Hexagram 35
Jin — Progress
晉 · Advance
Rapid Progress
Fire over earth — the sun rising above the earth. Rapid, brilliant progress; the light of the rising sun. Recognition and advancement come easily now. The prince receives horses as a gift; three times daily he is received in audience. Share your light generously.
䷣
Hexagram 36
Ming Yi — Darkening
明夷 · Injured Brightness
Hidden Light
Earth over fire — the sun sinking into the earth. Darkness and adversity; the light is suppressed. Maintain your inner light while outwardly yielding to circumstances. This is not the time for brilliance — hide your light and endure. King Wen was imprisoned; he wrote the I Ching.
䷤
Hexagram 37
Jia Ren — The Family
家人 · The Clan
Family
Wind over fire — the warmth within the home. The family as the foundation of society. When each person fulfils their proper role with love and consistency, the family prospers and the world is ordered. The woman's work within, the man's work without.
䷥
Hexagram 38
Kui — Opposition
睽 · Estrangement
Polarity
Fire above, lake below — their natures diverge. Opposition and misunderstanding; people working at cross-purposes. Do not attempt great undertakings in this climate. In small matters, polarity can be creative — apparent opposites can have hidden harmony. Meet in the middle.
䷦
Hexagram 39
Jian — Obstruction
蹇 · Limping
Obstruction
Water above mountain — the abyss in front, the mountain behind. Danger and obstruction; the way forward is blocked. Do not advance blindly — turn back and gather allies and strength. Look within for the source of the obstacle. Seek help from those wiser than yourself.
䷧
Hexagram 40
Jie — Release
解 · Liberation
Liberation
Thunder over water — the storm releases tension. The obstruction dissolves; liberation comes. Move quickly when the way clears — do not linger in the place of difficulty. Forgive and forget; pardon errors and return to the original simplicity.
䷨
Hexagram 41
Sun — Decrease
損 · Reduction
Decrease
Mountain over lake — the lake diminishes to nourish the mountain. Voluntary decrease and sacrifice can bring increase in the long run. Reduce expense; curb emotion; simplify. Even a small offering made with sincerity is more valuable than lavish ceremony made without heart.
䷩
Hexagram 42
Yi — Increase
益 · Benefit
Increase
Wind over thunder — movement and penetration working together. Increase, benefit and abundance. A time to undertake what is meaningful and to cross great waters. When you see good, imitate it; when you have faults, correct them. Share your abundance.
䷪
Hexagram 43
Guai — Breakthrough
夬 · Resoluteness
Decisive Break
Lake over heaven — water about to overflow heaven. The decisive breakthrough; the last of the inferior must be removed. Announce the matter publicly; do not use weapons. Remaining half-hearted is not possible — the breakthrough must be complete.
䷫
Hexagram 44
Gou — Coming to Meet
姤 · Encounter
Unexpected Meeting
Heaven above wind — the one yin rising to meet the five yang. An unexpected encounter; the temptation of what appears attractive but is ultimately not right. Do not marry such a woman. One inferior element can undermine what five superior ones have built.
䷬
Hexagram 45
Cui — Gathering
萃 · Assembly
Gathering Together
Lake over earth — the lake gathers water. A time of gathering together — people, resources, energy. Great ceremonies and the offering of sacrifice bring fortune. Prepare for unexpected difficulties even in a time of gathering; forewarned is forearmed.
䷭
Hexagram 46
Sheng — Pushing Upward
升 · Ascent
Rising
Earth over wood — the tree growing upward through the earth. Gradual, steady ascent. The time to advance with confidence, seeking those in high places. Effort without haste; progress without striving. The way south is auspicious.
䷮
Hexagram 47
Kun — Exhaustion
困 · Oppression
Entrapment
Lake with no water — the lake dried up, the fish stranded. Exhaustion, oppression and entrapment. Words are not believed now; do not speak. Inner strength and perseverance are the only resources. The great person finds joy even in difficulty. This too shall end.
䷯
Hexagram 48
Jing — The Well
井 · The Source
Inexhaustible Source
Water over wood — the well. The town changes but the well does not; it nourishes all who come to it. The inexhaustible source — inner spiritual resources that serve everyone. Do not let the rope break before drawing up the water; do not fail at the last moment.
䷰
Hexagram 49
Ge — Revolution
革 · Moulting
Revolution
Lake over fire — fire and water in conflict, transformation. Revolution and fundamental change. Only when the time is right and the cause is just does revolution succeed. One who embodies the change they call for — like the tiger and leopard transforming their coats — succeeds.
䷱
Hexagram 50
Ding — The Cauldron
鼎 · The Ritual Vessel
Transformation
Fire under wind — the sacrificial vessel, nourishing the wise. The cauldron transforms raw into cooked, crude into refined. A time of cultural and spiritual nourishment. Seeking those who are truly cultivated and working together on what is genuinely nourishing brings supreme good fortune.
䷲
Hexagram 51
Zhen — Thunder
震 · The Arousing
Shock
Thunder above thunder — the shock doubled. Shock and terror that brings awakening. The lightning strikes; cups of sacrificial wine do not spill — the cultivated person is undisturbed in their inner depths even while the outer world shakes. After shock, laughter returns.
䷳
Hexagram 52
Gen — The Mountain
艮 · Keeping Still
Stillness
Mountain above mountain — the doubled stillness. Knowing when to stop is the highest wisdom. Still the back, cease the restless motion of the self — walking in the courtyard, not seeing people. In perfect stillness, no blame arises. This is the hexagram of meditation.
䷴
Hexagram 53
Jian — Development
漸 · Gradual Progress
Gradual Progress
Wind over mountain — the tree growing slowly on the mountain. Gradual, steady development — like the wild goose approaching its nesting place step by step. Do not rush; the proper sequence must be followed. Auspicious for the woman; she goes to her husband's home step by step.
䷵
Hexagram 54
Gui Mei — Marrying Maiden
歸妹 · The Subordinate
Relationships
Thunder over lake — the eldest son and youngest daughter. Relationships and marriages that do not follow the correct order — the secondary position, the concubine, the junior partner. Undertakings bring misfortune; there is no goal that is furthered by forcing. Find peace in your actual position.
䷶
Hexagram 55
Feng — Abundance
豐 · Fullness
Peak Abundance
Thunder over fire — great abundance and brilliance. Be like the sun at noon — be not sad. A peak moment of power, brightness and fullness. The wise person does not grieve that the sun must set; they use the abundance of the present to its fullest before the inevitable decline.
䷷
Hexagram 56
Lü — The Wanderer
旅 · The Stranger
Journey
Fire over mountain — fire on the mountain, moving on. The wanderer, the traveller, the stranger in a foreign land. This is not a time for great ambitions — be modest, careful and adaptable. Seek modest lodging and guard your resources. Treat those you meet with courtesy.
䷸
Hexagram 57
Xun — Wind
巽 · Gentle Penetration
Gentle Persistence
Wind above wind — the doubled gentleness. Gentle, persistent penetration — like the wind that bends all grass, the influence that reaches everywhere through yielding rather than force. Have a direction; have a guide. Small actions consistently taken accomplish what force cannot.
䷹
Hexagram 58
Dui — Joy
兌 · The Open
Joyful Exchange
Lake above lake — doubled joy. Joy through open exchange, friendship and the pleasure of genuine communication. Persevere in this spirit — not the pleasure-seeking that depletes but the joy that arises from authentic connection. Discussing with friends and like-minded companions.
䷺
Hexagram 59
Huan — Dispersion
渙 · Dissolution
Dispersion
Wind over water — wind scattering the water's surface. The dissolution of rigidity, selfishness and separateness. Ceremony, music and great works gather the people and dissolve what separates them. Crossing the great water is auspicious — go out to meet what is coming.
䷻
Hexagram 60
Jie — Limitation
節 · Restraint
Boundaries
Water over lake — the lake has its banks. Limitation and boundaries create form. Without the banks, the river is a flood. The superior person establishes measures and discusses conduct and virtue. Bitter limitation should not be persevered in — find the limitation that serves life.
䷼
Hexagram 61
Zhong Fu — Inner Truth
中孚 · Sincerity
Inner Truth
Wind over lake — the wind moving the water. Inner truth and sincerity transform those around you — even pigs and fish respond to genuine sincerity. What you truly are, inwardly, reaches what the words cannot. Crossing the great water; auspicious for perseverance.
䷽
Hexagram 62
Xiao Guo — Small Excess
小過 · Small Surpassing
Attention to Detail
Thunder above mountain — the flying bird. Small things are appropriate now; great things are not. Be more careful, more modest and more sparing than usual. Fly below rather than above. The bird's cry comes to it in the night — it is not good to go upward; going downward is good fortune.
䷾
Hexagram 63
Ji Ji — After Completion
既濟 · Already Across
Completion
Water over fire — every line in its correct place. After completion — the crossing is made, the goal achieved, everything in order. But completion contains the seed of dissolution; the perfect order begins immediately to move toward disorder. Remain attentive; what is won can be lost.
䷿
Hexagram 64
Wei Ji — Before Completion
未濟 · Not Yet Across
Transition
Fire over water — the elements in their wrong positions, yet to find their order. Before completion — the young fox crossing the river gets its tail wet at the last step. The end is the beginning of the next cycle. Not failure but transition. The fire above illuminates; the water below nourishes.