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The I Ching Hexagrams

Below are three examples of I Ching hexagrams and a summary of how the lines (also known as "yaos") are labelled.

The full lines are Yang lines, while the broken lines are Yin lines.

Each hexagram is made up of 2 trigrams, the upper and lower trigram. See notes on the trigrams to see description of each trigrams.

When casting coins to build a hexagram, lines are built bottom up.

There being 8 trigrams, the combination of upper and lower trigrams make 64 hexagrams. Each hexagram has a number, and a symbolic meaning. The meaning of these hexagrams are written in the Book of Changes, and is translated by many. Most reknowned are:

• Richard Wilhelm's "The I Ching or Book of Changes"
• John Blofeld "Book Of Change"
• Alfred Huang "The Complete I Ching"

Check here for more I Ching Hexagrams books and resources.

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