卦
Hexagram
Chinese Philosophy · conceptA six-line symbol in the I Ching that represents a specific situation or pattern of change. Each hexagram has a judgment, image, and line texts. Each of the 64 hexagrams consists of six lines (yin or yang) with judgment, image, and line texts -- used both as a divination tool and a philosophical system for understanding change.
The I Ching does not contain answers; it shows the patterns of change.
— I Ching (Yijing) tradition
What Are the Key Facts About Hexagram?
- Tradition: Chinese Philosophy
- Chinese: 卦
- Category: Concept
- Definition: A six-line symbol in the I Ching that represents a specific situation or pattern of change.
What Cards Are Related to Hexagram?
Frequently Asked Questions About Hexagram
What is a hexagram in the I Ching?
A hexagram is a six-line figure in the I Ching (Yijing), each line either yin (broken) or yang (unbroken), giving 64 possible figures. Each maps to a named situation with a judgment and commentary.
How do you read an I Ching hexagram?
Traditionally one consults the text after generating lines (by yarrow stalks or coins), then reads the hexagram's judgment, image, and line statements as guidance about a situation's character and its movement of change.
What is the difference between a hexagram and a trigram?
A trigram is three lines (eight possible, the bagua); a hexagram is two stacked trigrams (64 total). The upper and lower trigrams together depict the situation's structure.
What does 'changing lines' mean?
Some lines are marked 'old' (changing) and flip from yin to yang or vice versa, yielding a second hexagram; the pair shows the present situation and its direction of change.