From him the harmony and satisfaction come; great is the success which he obtains: his aims take effect on a grand scale. The card/symbol is what it is. The evil indicated by there being no fish in the wallet is owing to the subject of the line keeping himself aloof from the people. Their feathers can be used as ornaments. A one-eyed man who thinks that he can see: he is not fit to see clearly. He receives the robe through his contention: but still he is not deserving of respect. He views indulgently the troubles caused by his father: if he go forward, he will not succeed. He had at first ascended to the top of the sky: he might have enlightened the four quarters of the kingdom. For example, the idea that any movement should be made on the line of minimum resistance.What is the minimum resistance?The image of a brook flowing down the valley, without any efforts, is eloquent. The superior man looks bent on cutting off the culprit: there will be in the end no error. Small men should not be employed: they are sure to throw the states into confusion. He wears the cangue and is deprived of his ears: he hears, but will not understand. They also have a name, that may differ. And old wife and a young husband: this also is a thing to be ashamed of. The great good fortune attached to the fifth line, divided, is due to the blessing from above. #1 - Creativity (heaven) #2 - The Receptive. The name of each hexagram in Traditional Chinese can be found in the left column. The appliances of a feast, and the good fortune through being firm and correct, are indicated by the position in the central and correct place. Chanticleer tries to mount to heaven: but how can such an effort continue long? Let him maintain a large and generous mind, and there will be no error: he has not yet received an official charge. The husband must decide what is right, and lay down the rule accordingly: for him to follow like a wife is evil. The superior man finds himself in a carriage: he is carried along by the people. The good fortune attached to the pleasure arising from inward sincerity is due to the confidence felt in the object of the subject of the line. The sum of the numbers designated to each side of the coin determines the yin or yang of the line, whether it is changing or unchanging, and whether it is a broken or unbroken line. The caldron (cauldron) is overturned, and its feet turned upwards: but this is not all contrary to what is right. He walks slowly and with difficulty: he is not in the place appropriate to him. The good fortune springing from what borders on confusion is due to the position of the line in the centre. The sincerity is firmly held and clung to, as shown in the topmost line: the idea of the hexagram has reached its extreme development. He has overthrown the couch, and proceeds to injure the skin of him who lies on it: calamity is very near at hand. The minister of the king struggles with difficulty on difficulty: in the end no blame will be attached to him. From the seeking union with its object shown in the first line, divided, there will be other advantages. He looks at his door, which is still, with no one about it: he only keeps himself withdrawn from all others. It will be advantageous to use punishment: the object of being to bring under the influence of correcting law. He shows himself well pleased to advance: his position is not that appropriate to him. The accumulations of the royal granaries are dispersed, and there is no error: this is due to the correctness of the position. He looks at the course of his own life, to advance or recede accordingly: he will not err in the path to be pursued. The city wall returned back into the moat shows how the governmental orders have long been in disorder. He was three years in subduing it: enough to make him weary. To advance will only increase the difficulties, while his remaining stationary will be productive of great merit: his aim is to assist the subject of the line inside of him. He appears wishing to advance, but at the same time being kept back: all alone he pursues the correct course. Firm correctness will lead to good fortune, and prevent all occasion for repentance: there has not yet been any harm from a selfish wish to influence. The regret arising from the violent and repeated efforts to penetrate shows the exhaustion of the will. A husband goes and does not return: he separates himself from his comrades. By such a course there is happiness, and there will be great good fortune: the subject of the line employs the virtue proper to his central position to carry his wishes into effect. There will be great good fortune, and that in the occupancy of the topmost line: this is great matter for congratulation. If he can remain firm and correct there will be no error: he firmly holds fast his correctness. Hexa in hexagram means six, which refers to the six lines that form a hexagram. He loses his ram and hardly perceives it: he is not in his appropriate place. The one of them that applies especially to your question is preselected, but any changing line can be … The stranger is mean and meanly occupied: his aim is become of the lowest character, and calamity will ensue. A woman such as is here represented should not be taken in marriage: her conduct is not agreeable to what is right. See what areas could be fixed to progress. The 64 I Ching Hexagrams An I Ching hexagram is composed of two trigrams. A well from which by a hole the water escapes, and flows away to the shrimps: the subject of this second line has none cooperating with him above. That means there are 26 = 64 possible combinations of lines into hexagrams. Notwithstanding the perilous position of him who has made many returns, there will be no error through his aiming after righteousness. The good fortune attached to the pleasure of inward harmony arises from there being nothing in the conduct of the subject of the line to awaken doubt. There is the caldron with the things to be cooked in it: let the subject of the line be careful where he goes. Though hostile measures be taken against him, he need not be anxious: he pursues the course of the due mean. Remove your toes: the places of this line and of the third and first are all inappropriate to them. He has just entered into the left side of the belly of the dark land: he is still able to carry out the idea in his inner mind. The good fortune consequent on the advance of honesty and generosity is due to the will of the subject of the line being set on the subjects of the first two lines of the inner trigram. One, whose action would be in every way advantageous, stirs up his humility the more: but in doing so he does not act contrary to the proper rule. Union is sought by the party intended here with one beyond himself, and in this case with a worthy object: he is following the ruler above him. The progress and success of the quiet and natural attention to all regulations is due to the deference which accepts the ways of the ruler above. He weeps tears of blood in streams: how can the state thus emblemed continue long? On this site, the convention is used that two heads and one tails means a broken line (yin) and two tails and one heads a yang line. A feudal prince presents his offerings to the son of Heaven: a small man in such a position does himself harm. The representative of penetration is beneath a couch: though occupying the topmost place, his powers are exhausted. Lame on one leg, she is able to tramp along: she can render helpful service. The lines are all weak and divided: but those who are thus represented becoming perpetually correct and firm, there will thereby be a great consummation. Though he suffer the small injury of being spoken against, he will bring things to a good issue. There is the union of all under him in the place of dignity: but his mind and aim have not yet been brilliantly displayed. He moves his great toe: his mind is set on what is beyond himself. His advice to his prince is followed: his only object in it being the increase of the general good. I Ching (The Meanings of the 8 Trigrams and 64 Hexagrams) I Ching : is taken from the ancient Chinese "Book of Changes" and it is a form of divinatory practice involving 64 hexagrams (patterns of 6 broken and unbroken lines), which are used in a divinatory way by the throwing of yarrow stalks or coins. He is possessed of sincerity, and draws others to unite with him: he does not use only his own rich resources. 18. The union and children after ten years shows things resuming their regular course. He does not serve either king or feudal lord: but his aim may be a model to others. He receives other on his horns: he is exhausted at his greatest height, and there will be cause for regret. There is an additional screen of a large and thick banner: great things should not be attempted in such circumstances. "Yijing" is the modern (Pinyin) spelling for "I Ching". In the end he will obtain praise and a high charge: he has reached a high place. That the people of his towns do not warn one another to prevent such escape, shows how he, in his high eminence, has made them pursue the due course. The good fortune consequent on his ever maintaining firm correctness is due to this, that to the end no one will insult him. The subject of the fifth line has a chronic complaint: this is shown by his being mounted on the strong line. In I Ching, each hexagram has its own particular meaning in divination. He deals with the troubles caused by his father, and obtains praise: he is responded to by the subject of line two with all his virtue. He overthrows the couch by injuring its legs: thus he commences his work of ruin with what is lowest in the superior man. The fence is opened and the horns are not entangled: the subject of the line still advances. The ruler with sincere heart seeks to benefit all below: there need be no question about the result. For example, the term "small man" means. There is the perilousness of the position shown by the retiring tail: but if no movement be made, what disaster can there be? He will receive this great blessing: for he is in the central place and the correct position for him. He destroys the couch by injuring its frame: the superior man has as yet no associates. He deals with the troubles caused by his mother: he holds to the course of the due mean. The representative of the union of men appears in the suburbs: his object has not yet been attained. To his increase none will contribute: this expresses but half the result. When the table is sorted by the right column, we can conveniently find a hexagram by its name as transliterated from Chinese. He cleaves to the man of age and experience: by the decision of his will, he abandons the youth below. The yellow lower garment; there will be great good fortune: this follows from that ornamental color's being in the right and central place. He may have occasion to engage in the King's service: great is the glory of his wisdom. Love: This is a time when a breakthrough in your relationship will occur. He makes his changes when some time has passed: what he does will be matter of admiration. He can discard a carriage and walk on foot: righteousness requires that he should not ride. He meets with what is disagreeable and hurtful: his position is not the proper one for him. The hexagrams themselves are the only unchanging references between books by different authors. Seek the advice of someone more experienced than you. Younger me idly occupy their position: the employment of such men is improper. Erroneous Tao Te Ching Citations Examined. The looking of a lad shown by the first line, divided, indicates the way of the inferior people. (This is the. Going for long to what is not his proper place, how can he get game? The thing is, I don’t claim to be an I Ching expert. If his action be in harmony with his central position, there will be no error: but his standing in the due mean is not yet clearly displayed. He is welcomed in his advance upwards, and there will be great good fortune: the subjects of the upper trigram are of the same mind with him. I ching says everything is moving and nothing stays still, hence its a divination of what is becoming. The good fortune from abiding in firmness is due to the docility of the subject of the line in following the subject of the line above. Remain determined and act sensibly. He is waiting on the sand: he occupies his position in the centre with a generous forbearance. He retires in a noble way, and his doing so will be advantageous in every respect: he who does so has no doubts about his course. When the table is sorted by this column, it will also be sorted by the binary representation of the Gua, and the I Ching hexagrams arranged by. He sighs and weeps: he does not yet rest in his topmost position. For each Gua, the left column gives the binary representation of the Gua. The evil of advance by the subject of the second line, divided, is owing to his leaving in his movements his proper associates. The good fortune consequent on changing existing ordinances is due to the faith reposed in his aims. They represent yin and yang, the basic polarities of Chinese cosmology and philosophy. He treads resolutely; and though he be firm and correct, there is peril: this is due to his being in the position that is correct and appropriate to him. The movement towards union and attachment proceeds from the inward mind: the party concerned does not fail in what is proper to himself. He confines himself to the support assigned to him of old: thus following those above him, he will have good fortune. In seven days he will find it: for the course pursued is that indicated by the central position of the line. The contents designed for the ruler's use are overturned and split: how can the subject of the line be trusted. 1. He gives increase to others without taking from what is his own: he obtains his wish on a grand scale. It will be well for him to be as sincere as in sacrificing: so shall he receive blessing. With the aim represented by hunting in the south a great achievement is accomplished. The dragon is on the wing in the sky; the great man rouses himself to work. He seeks union and attachment without taking the first step to such an end: there is no possibility of a good issue. The I Ching or Yi Jing, usually translated as Book of Changes or Classic of Changes, is an ancient Chinese divination text and among the oldest of the Chinese classics. The ill fortune of being bitten arises from the place not being the proper one for him. He meets with the subject of the line, undivided like himself. He keeps his cheek bones at rest: in harmony with his central position he acts correctly. He suspends his own affairs and hurries away to help the subject of the fourth line: the subject of that upper line mingles his wishes with his. Something is yin when it is female or dark, earthly, passive etc. The transliteration in the right column serves as a pointer to the accurate pronunciation and Chinese characters representing each of the 64 hexagrams. 17. He is waiting in the distant border: he makes no movement to encounter rashly the difficulties of the situation. He lays hold of thorns: this is suggested by the position of the line above the strong line. His sincerity receives the blessing: good fortune comes on a great scale. The firm correctness of a woman, in peeping out from a door is also a thing to be ashamed of in a superior man. The good fortune springing from the firm correctness of the second line, undivided, is due to its subject holding the due mean. He bears with the uncultivated, and proves himself acting in accordance with the due mean: for his intelligence is bright and his capacity is great. He still lives on without dying: he is in the central position, and its memories of the past have not yet perished. He is waiting in the place of blood: he accommodates himself to the circumstances of the time, and hearkens to its requirements. I Ching Basics. The good fortune indicated by the fifth line, divided, is the congratulation that is sure to arise. Thank you for visiting and hope you enjoy. He advances, but only to greater difficulty; he remains stationary, and return to his former associates: they, represented in the inner trigram, rejoice in him. He is perfectly sincere, and links others to him in closest union: the place of the line is the correct and appropriate one. They eat and drink joyfully and at ease: but not without having earned their food. He hides his arms in the thick grass: because of the strength of his opponent. WikiWing – Line by line, experience-based Yijing commentary by Clarity members Yijing Foundations Course – All the essentials to interpret your own I Ching readings with confidence. The king employs him in his punitive expeditions: the object is to bring the regions to a correct state. Current circumstances call for confronting a thorny situation and cutting through it. He struggles with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him: he is in the central position, and possesses the requisite virtue. In the lamentation for not observing the proper regulations, who should there be to blame? A position like that of the declining sun: how can it continue long? The second line, undivided, shows good fortune arising from being firm and correct: it is in the central place, and the action of its subject thereby becomes correct. In other words, each line can have two states. There is no good beginning, but there will be a good end: this arises from his meeting with the strong subject of the topmost line. By firm correctness there is good fortune, and cause for repentance disappears: the aim of the subject of the line is carried into effect. The rain has fallen and the onward progress is stayed: the power denoted in the figure has accumulated to the full. And he does repent of former errors, which leads to good fortune: so he now goes on. Where it is said, There will be good fortune, that shows how he feels the strait he is in, and returns to the rule of law. Once you have consulted the I Ching and have identified the hexagram(s) that relate to your question use the javascript menu below to go to a specific hexagram. The sincerity of the subject of the second line, undivided, affords occasion for joy. Since the hexagram has six lines, the coins are cast six times. Four light lines have entered the hexagram from below and are about to ascend higher. The superior man who adds humility to humility is one who nourishes his virtue in lowliness. He does not quit the courtyard inside his gate. The most common method involves flipping 3 coins and adding up their totals. Amid the startling movements, he sinks supinely in the mud: the light in him has not yet been brilliantly developed. The good fortune of the subject of the fifth line, undivided, is owing to its correct position and its being in the centre. The evil attached to the deep desire for long continuance in the subject of the first line arises from the deep seeking for it at the commencement of things. For example, the first Gua is "Qian", and it can be represented by "111111". Allow it to go on quietly according to its nature, and the hoarfrost will come to strong ice. He seems to be leaping up, but is still in the deep; if he advances, there will be no error. The peril connected with the case of one retiring, though bound, is due to the consequent distress and exhaustion. A broken line on the bottom of the stack, for example, might indicate some kind of fundamental weakness, whereas a solid line might suggest the opposite. He is straightened amidst his wine and viands: but his position is central, and there will be ground for congratulation. Small men change their faces: they show themselves prepared to follow their ruler. I Ching Hexagram 18 Interpretation and Meaning. When, as a stranger, he treats those below him as the line indicates, the right relation between him and them is lost. He may employ the force of arms, but only in correcting his own towns and state. 1: Creative Power. The first line, undivided, of Ta Yu shows no approach to what is injurious. He yet smiles and talks cheerfully: the issue of his dread is that he adopts proper laws for his course. He is possessed of sincerity; his ground for apprehension is dismissed: the subjects of the lines above agree in aim with him. The good fortune consequent on being firm and correct, where the humility has made itself recognized, is owing to the possessor's having the virtue in the core of his heart. The good fortune attached to the topmost line of Ta Yu arises from the help of Heaven. He ascends the stairs with all due ceremony: he grandly succeeds in his aim. He drags back his wheel: as we may rightly judge, there will be no mistake. For example, Qian (the first hexagram) is translated as "Initiating" by Alfred Huang, and translated as "The Creative" by James Legge. Advantage will come from warding off injury; the subject of this line above and the ignorant below, all do and are done to in accordance with their nature. He is followed and obtains adherents: according to the idea of the hexagram, this is evil. This is intended only as a 1 page crash course, there is way more information to be found if you want to go more in depth. He takes game in his hunting, enough for the threefold use of it: he achieves merit. He keeps his toes at rest: he does not fail in what is correct according to the idea of the figure. When the time of movement comes, he will be found looking out with apprehension: that feeling of dread leads to happiness. The host with the possibility of its having many idle leaders: great will be its want of success. If the movement be greatly fortunate, no blame will be imputed to him: though it is not for one in so low a position to have to do with great affairs. He does not meet the exigency of his situation, and exceeds his proper course: the position indicates the habit of domineering. The reverent attention directed to his confused steps is the way by which error is avoided. When he who is free from insincerity makes any movement, he will get what he desires. The guidance of the I Ching will turn on and tune up your intuition. Amidst the prevailing dispersion, he hurries to his contrivance for security: he gets what he desires. The superior man of acknowledged merit, and yet humble: the myriads of the people will submit to him. He keeps his great resources under restraint: his wisdom discriminates clearly what he ought to do. The column on the right gives the name of the Gua (hexagram) in Simplified Chinese. An old well to which the birds do not come: it has been forsaken in the course of time. He see a thing without waiting till it has come to pass; with his firm correctness there will be good fortune: this is shown by the central and correct position of the line. The upper trigram is Chên, the Arousing; the lower is ch'ien, the Creative. A quiet and solitary man, to whom, being firm and correct there will be good fortune: holding the due mean, he will not allow himself to be thrown into disorder. Now he beats his drum, and now he leaves off: the position of the line is the appropriate one for it. With darkened mind devoted to the harmony and satisfaction of the time, as shown in topmost line: how can one in such a condition continue long. For a porter with his burden to be riding in a carriage is a thing to be ashamed of. One retiring, though bound, is due to its occupying the topmost line taken... Appropriateness of the position changes his spots: their common aim is to move the along! 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