The I Ching, or Book of Changes, is one of the oldest books in China. At its heart are 64 hexagrams — figures of six stacked lines, each line either solid (yang) or broken (yin). Each hexagram describes a situation and how it is likely to change. This page lists all 64 with their trigrams and a short plain-English summary.
Lines, trigrams and hexagrams
A hexagram is read from the bottom up. Its six lines split into two trigrams of three lines: the lower trigram (lines 1–3) describes the inner side of the situation, and the upper trigram (lines 4–6) the outer side. There are eight trigrams, each with a natural image:
| Trigram | Image | Quality | Lines (bottom to top) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☰ 乾 Qian | Heaven | strong, creative | ⚊ yang, ⚊ yang, ⚊ yang |
| ☱ 兌 Dui | Lake | joyful, open | ⚊ yang, ⚊ yang, ⚋ yin |
| ☲ 離 Li | Fire | clinging, bright | ⚊ yang, ⚋ yin, ⚊ yang |
| ☳ 震 Zhen | Thunder | arousing, moving | ⚊ yang, ⚋ yin, ⚋ yin |
| ☴ 巽 Xun | Wind | gentle, penetrating | ⚋ yin, ⚊ yang, ⚊ yang |
| ☵ 坎 Kan | Water | dangerous, flowing | ⚋ yin, ⚊ yang, ⚋ yin |
| ☶ 艮 Gen | Mountain | still, resting | ⚋ yin, ⚋ yin, ⚊ yang |
| ☷ 坤 Kun | Earth | receptive, yielding | ⚋ yin, ⚋ yin, ⚋ yin |
Eight possible upper trigrams times eight possible lower trigrams gives the 64 hexagrams. Their traditional numbering, used in almost every edition, is the King Wen order. The names below follow the classic English tradition of Richard Wilhelm's translation, with the Chinese name in pinyin.
Casting a reading
On Fate Hall you can toss three virtual coins six times, shake a cup of numbered sticks, or look up a hexagram by number. With coins, heads count 3 and tails 2, so each toss gives 6, 7, 8 or 9:
- 7 — a young yang line (solid, stable)
- 8 — a young yin line (broken, stable)
- 9 — an old yang line (solid, changing into yin)
- 6 — an old yin line (broken, changing into yang)
The six tosses build the primary hexagram from the bottom up. If any lines are "old", they are changing lines: flip them and you get a second, relating hexagram that shows where the situation is heading. The texts of the changing lines carry special weight in the reading. Fate Hall shows the classical Chinese text of the judgment, the image and each line alongside an English summary.
All 64 hexagrams
| # | Hexagram | Name | Upper / lower | In brief |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ䷀ 乾 | The Creative (Qian) | ☰ Qian / ☰ Qian | Move forward with strength, like the power of heaven. Great success, but no room for arrogance. |
| 2 | ䷁ 坤 | The Receptive (Kun) | ☷ Kun / ☷ Kun | Receive and follow, like the earth, and things go well. A time to support rather than lead. |
| 3 | ䷂ 屯 | Difficulty at the Beginning (Zhun) | ☵ Kan / ☳ Zhen | A hard start, like a sprout breaking through frozen ground. Don't rush, and ask for help. |
| 4 | ䷃ 蒙 | Youthful Folly (Meng) | ☶ Gen / ☵ Kan | A time when things are still unclear and you're still learning. A good teacher and study light the way. |
| 5 | ䷄ 需 | Waiting (Xu) | ☵ Kan / ☰ Qian | The clouds have gathered, but the rain hasn't come yet. Wait for the right time and it will. |
| 6 | ䷅ 訟 | Conflict (Song) | ☰ Qian / ☵ Kan | The hexagram of disputes and lawsuits. You gain more by stopping halfway than by fighting to the end. |
| 7 | ䷆ 師 | The Army (Shi) | ☷ Kun / ☵ Kan | The hexagram of leading a group. With discipline and a trustworthy leader, you win. |
| 8 | ䷇ 比 | Holding Together (Bi) | ☵ Kan / ☷ Kun | A time to draw close and help one another. Bringing people together goes well. |
| 9 | ䷈ 小畜 | The Taming Power of the Small (Xiao Chu) | ☴ Xun / ☰ Qian | A time to build up little by little. Small savings and preparation suit you better than big moves. |
| 10 | ䷉ 履 | Treading (Lü) | ☰ Qian / ☱ Dui | Careful steps, like treading on a tiger's tail. Stay courteous and you'll come through safely. |
| 11 | ䷊ 泰 | Peace (Tai) | ☷ Kun / ☰ Qian | The hexagram of peace, where heaven and earth meet. Very auspicious, and communication flows well. |
| 12 | ䷋ 否 | Standstill (Pi) | ☰ Qian / ☷ Kun | A time when things are blocked above and below. Don't force it. Wait for the right moment. |
| 13 | ䷌ 同人 | Fellowship (Tong Ren) | ☰ Qian / ☲ Li | Like-minded people come together. Work together openly and fairly. |
| 14 | ䷍ 大有 | Possession in Great Measure (Da You) | ☲ Li / ☰ Qian | The hexagram of great abundance. The more you share, the more it grows. |
| 15 | ䷎ 謙 | Modesty (Qian) | ☷ Kun / ☶ Gen | The hexagram of modesty, a high mountain beneath the earth. The lower you bow, the higher you rise. |
| 16 | ䷏ 豫 | Enthusiasm (Yu) | ☳ Zhen / ☷ Kun | The hexagram of joy and readiness. Prepare ahead and the good times last. |
| 17 | ䷐ 隨 | Following (Sui) | ☱ Dui / ☳ Zhen | A time to go with the flow. Let go of stubbornness and the way opens. |
| 18 | ䷑ 蠱 | Work on What Has Been Spoiled (Gu) | ☶ Gen / ☴ Xun | Time to fix long-standing problems. Reform brings renewal. |
| 19 | ䷒ 臨 | Approach (Lin) | ☷ Kun / ☱ Dui | The hexagram of good energy drawing near. Get ready to welcome opportunity. |
| 20 | ䷓ 觀 | Contemplation (Guan) | ☴ Xun / ☷ Kun | Like wind sweeping over the land, it's a time to observe and reflect. |
| 21 | ䷔ 噬嗑 | Biting Through (Shi He) | ☲ Li / ☳ Zhen | Like biting through something to close your jaws, clear obstacles away with resolve. |
| 22 | ䷕ 賁 | Grace (Bi) | ☶ Gen / ☲ Li | The hexagram of adornment. Focus on substance over appearance. |
| 23 | ䷖ 剝 | Splitting Apart (Bo) | ☶ Gen / ☷ Kun | A time of things wearing away. Don't force any moves. Hold your ground. |
| 24 | ䷗ 復 | Return (Fu) | ☷ Kun / ☳ Zhen | The hexagram of return and recovery. Good for a fresh start. |
| 25 | ䷘ 无妄 | Innocence (Wu Wang) | ☰ Qian / ☳ Zhen | Plain sincerity brings good fortune. Counting on luck leads to trouble. |
| 26 | ䷙ 大畜 | The Taming Power of the Great (Da Chu) | ☶ Gen / ☰ Qian | The hexagram of great accumulation. Build up skill and character, and a wide road opens. |
| 27 | ䷚ 頤 | Nourishment (Yi) | ☶ Gen / ☳ Zhen | The hexagram of nourishment. Mind what you say and what you eat, and look after your body and mind. |
| 28 | ䷛ 大過 | Preponderance of the Great (Da Guo) | ☱ Dui / ☴ Xun | A ridgepole bearing too much weight. Lighten the load and find your balance. |
| 29 | ䷜ 坎 | The Abysmal Water (Kan) | ☵ Kan / ☵ Kan | Danger upon danger. Keep faith and get through one step at a time. |
| 30 | ䷝ 離 | The Clinging Fire (Li) | ☲ Li / ☲ Li | The hexagram of clinging brightness. Hold on to what is right and your wisdom shines. |
| 31 | ䷞ 咸 | Influence (Xian) | ☱ Dui / ☶ Gen | The hexagram of mutual attraction. Very good for romance and connections. |
| 32 | ䷟ 恒 | Duration (Heng) | ☳ Zhen / ☴ Xun | The hexagram of lasting constancy. Consistency is your best strategy. |
| 33 | ䷠ 遯 | Retreat (Dun) | ☰ Qian / ☶ Gen | The wisdom of knowing when to step back. A strategic retreat works in your favor. |
| 34 | ䷡ 大壯 | The Power of the Great (Da Zhuang) | ☳ Zhen / ☰ Qian | A time of abundant strength. Don't show it off. Use it rightly. |
| 35 | ䷢ 晉 | Progress (Jin) | ☲ Li / ☷ Kun | The hexagram of advancing, like the sun rising over the earth. Promotion and recognition come. |
| 36 | ䷣ 明夷 | Darkening of the Light (Ming Yi) | ☷ Kun / ☲ Li | A time when the light is hidden. Keep your talents low-key and be patient, and you'll rise again. |
| 37 | ䷤ 家人 | The Family (Jia Ren) | ☴ Xun / ☲ Li | The hexagram of the household. Order and harmony at home are the foundation for everything. |
| 38 | ䷥ 睽 | Opposition (Kui) | ☲ Li / ☱ Dui | A time when people pull in different directions. Small matters go better than big ones. |
| 39 | ䷦ 蹇 | Obstruction (Jian) | ☵ Kan / ☶ Gen | Water ahead, a mountain behind. There are obstacles, so take another route or ask for help. |
| 40 | ䷧ 解 | Deliverance (Xie) | ☳ Zhen / ☵ Kan | The hexagram of untangling. Problems get solved and you can breathe again. |
| 41 | ䷨ 損 | Decrease (Sun) | ☶ Gen / ☱ Dui | The hexagram of letting go. Cut back and clear out, and you actually gain something. |
| 42 | ䷩ 益 | Increase (Yi) | ☴ Xun / ☳ Zhen | The hexagram of increase. A chance to gain and leap ahead. Move forward boldly. |
| 43 | ䷪ 夬 | Breakthrough (Guai) | ☱ Dui / ☰ Qian | The hexagram of resolution. Boldly cut off and settle what you've been putting off. |
| 44 | ䷫ 姤 | Coming to Meet (Gou) | ☰ Qian / ☴ Xun | An unexpected encounter. A welcome connection, but don't give your whole heart too quickly. |
| 45 | ䷬ 萃 | Gathering Together (Cui) | ☱ Dui / ☷ Kun | The hexagram where people and resources gather. Good for get-togethers and teamwork. |
| 46 | ䷭ 升 | Pushing Upward (Sheng) | ☷ Kun / ☴ Xun | The hexagram of rising step by step, like a tree growing from the ground. |
| 47 | ䷮ 困 | Oppression (Kun) | ☱ Dui / ☵ Kan | A time of hardship. Hold on through actions, not words, and you'll get through in the end. |
| 48 | ䷯ 井 | The Well (Jing) | ☵ Kan / ☴ Xun | A well that never runs dry. Stay true to your roots and keep giving, and good things follow. |
| 49 | ䷰ 革 | Revolution (Ge) | ☱ Dui / ☲ Li | The time for change has come. Change succeeds when the moment is ripe. |
| 50 | ䷱ 鼎 | The Cauldron (Ding) | ☲ Li / ☴ Xun | The hexagram of achievement, setting up a new order the way a cauldron cooks a meal. |
| 51 | ䷲ 震 | The Arousing Thunder (Zhen) | ☳ Zhen / ☳ Zhen | The shock of thunder upon thunder. After the scare come insight and laughter. |
| 52 | ䷳ 艮 | Keeping Still (Gen) | ☶ Gen / ☶ Gen | The hexagram of stopping, like a mountain. Take a break and quiet your mind. |
| 53 | ䷴ 漸 | Development (Jian) | ☴ Xun / ☶ Gen | Progress comes gradually, like a tree slowly growing on a mountain. |
| 54 | ䷵ 歸妹 | The Marrying Maiden (Gui Mei) | ☳ Zhen / ☱ Dui | The hexagram where skipping steps leads to trouble. Follow the proper process and know your place. |
| 55 | ䷶ 豐 | Abundance (Feng) | ☳ Zhen / ☲ Li | The hexagram of abundance at its peak. Prepare for the time when it wanes. |
| 56 | ䷷ 旅 | The Wanderer (Lü) | ☲ Li / ☶ Gen | The hexagram of the traveler. In unfamiliar places, humility and caution serve you well. |
| 57 | ䷸ 巽 | The Gentle (Xun) | ☴ Xun / ☴ Xun | Like the wind, you seep in softly. Persuade with gentleness. |
| 58 | ䷹ 兌 | The Joyous (Dui) | ☱ Dui / ☱ Dui | A hexagram overflowing with joy. Enjoy your connections, but stay true to what's right. |
| 59 | ䷺ 渙 | Dispersion (Huan) | ☴ Xun / ☵ Kan | A hexagram of scattering. Untie what's knotted and bring things back together. |
| 60 | ䷻ 節 | Limitation (Jie) | ☵ Kan / ☱ Dui | A hexagram of measure and restraint. Respect your limits and things will last. |
| 61 | ䷼ 中孚 | Inner Truth (Zhong Fu) | ☴ Xun / ☱ Dui | A hexagram of deep, sincere trust. This is a time when honesty gets through. |
| 62 | ䷽ 小過 | Small Exceeding (Xiao Guo) | ☳ Zhen / ☶ Gen | A small excess. Success comes in small matters rather than big ones. |
| 63 | ䷾ 既濟 | After Completion (Ji Ji) | ☵ Kan / ☲ Li | The river has been crossed and the work is done. Let your guard down and things come apart. |
| 64 | ䷿ 未濟 | Before Completion (Wei Ji) | ☲ Li / ☵ Kan | The river is not yet crossed. You're close to the finish, so stay careful until the very end. |
Reading the I Ching well
- Ask an open question. "What should I keep in mind about this job offer?" works better than "Will I get rich?". The I Ching describes situations and attitudes rather than giving yes-or-no answers.
- Read the image, not just the verdict. The pairing of trigrams — water over fire, wind over lake — is often the clearest clue to what the hexagram is about.
- Notice the movement. A changing line points to the part of the situation that is already shifting, and the relating hexagram to where it may settle.
- Keep perspective. The I Ching has been used for centuries as a tool for reflection. Treat it the same way: a prompt for thinking, not a ruling on your future.
Common questions
What if I get the same hexagram again? Traditional advice is not to ask the same question over and over. If a hexagram comes up repeatedly, it may simply be the theme you need to sit with.
Why do some books number the lines differently? All mainstream editions count from the bottom line (1) to the top (6). Fate Hall draws the hexagram the same way, with line 1 at the bottom.
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