Tao (The Way)
Tao (The Way) is the cosmic order and natural flow underlying the universe. Described as 'the name of the unnameable'. The I Ching offers guidance for living in harmony with the Tao.
Related Terms
Yin-Yang
The principle of complementary opposites in the universe. Dark-light, feminine-masculine, passive-active. They balance each other, carrying the seed of the other within. The philosophical foundation of I Ching.
Wu Wei (Non-Action)
The principle of acting without forcing or resisting natural flow. Not laziness; it's the art of taking the right action at the right time with minimum effort.
Five Elements (Wuxing)
The five fundamental energies in Chinese philosophy: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. They have cycles of generating and controlling each other. Used in I Ching interpretation.
Bagua
The arrangement of the eight trigrams. Has two main arrangements: 'Earlier Heaven' (Fu Xi) and 'Later Heaven' (King Wen). Also used in Feng Shui.
Change (Yi)
The central concept of the I Ching. The only constant in the universe is change. Every situation is in transformation; from winter to spring, night to day. Understanding this flow is wisdom.
De (Virtue)
The virtue that naturally results from living in harmony with the Tao. Not forced morality, but the inner good that emerges when one aligns with nature's flow.