Hexagram

What is a Hexagram in the I Ching?

A hexagram is a figure of six stacked lines in the I Ching (Yijing, the Book of Changes). Each line is either a solid yang line or a yin line broken in the middle, and all the combinations of these two across six lines give the 64 hexagrams. Each hexagram joins two trigrams: the lower three lines describe the inner situation, the upper three the outer conditions. Hexagrams are built and read from the bottom up. In a consultation the lines come from tossing three coins six times or from the older yarrow stalk method. Changing lines turn into their opposites and form a second hexagram: the first shows the present situation, the second where it is heading. A common misconception is that a hexagram gives a fixed prophecy; in the I Ching tradition the answer is advice on acting as conditions change. You can read the hexagram for your question with an I Ching reading on Faltastik.

• Trigram

  Building blocks consisting of three lines. There are 8 different trigrams (Bagua). Each trigram is associated with a nature element, family member, and life area. Two trigrams form a hexagram.

• Yin Line

  A broken line (— —). Represents feminine, receptive, passive, and dark energy. Associated with earth, water, cold, and winter.

• Yang Line

  An unbroken solid line (———). Represents masculine, active, creative, and light energy. Associated with sky, fire, warmth, and summer.

• Changing Line

  A line in the process of transforming from Yin to Yang or Yang to Yin. Changing lines transform the current hexagram into a second one, showing the evolution of the situation.

• Yijing (I Ching)

  Meaning 'Book of Changes', an approximately 3000-year-old Chinese wisdom text. One of humanity's oldest books, serving as both a divination system and philosophical masterpiece.

• Upper Trigram

  The upper three lines of a hexagram. Represents the outer world, social relationships, and future developments.