I-Ching Encyclopedia
The 64 I-Ching Hexagrams – Full List
The 64 hexagrams represent every state of change in the cosmos and daily life. Click any hexagram to see its meaning, judgment, and image in detail.
- 1. The Creative (乾) – Pure yang energy; strength, initiative, and creative leadership.
- 2. The Receptive (坤) – Pure yin energy; devotion, receptivity, and nurturing support.
- 3. Difficulty at the Beginning (屯) – Initial hardship in new ventures; perseverance brings order from chaos.
- 4. Youthful Folly (蒙) – Inexperience and the need for patient, proper instruction.
- 5. Waiting (需) – Patience and calm confidence while conditions mature.
- 6. Conflict (訟) – Disputes arise; caution and seeking mediation are advised over confrontation.
- 7. The Army (師) – Disciplined organization and strong leadership needed to mobilize collective effort.
- 8. Holding Together (比) – Unity and mutual support; alliance built on sincerity.
- 9. The Taming Power of the Small (小畜) – Small restraints accumulate; gentle influence gradually holds things in check.
- 10. Treading (履) – Careful conduct amid danger; walking cautiously earns respect.
- 11. Peace (泰) – Harmony between heaven and earth; a time of prosperity and smooth flow.
- 12. Standstill (否) – Stagnation and blocked communication; a time to withdraw and conserve.
- 13. Fellowship with Men (同人) – Open-hearted cooperation and community built on shared purpose.
- 14. Possession in Great Measure (大有) – Great abundance achieved through humility and clear-sighted leadership.
- 15. Modesty (謙) – Humility brings lasting success and protects against downfall.
- 16. Enthusiasm (豫) – Inspired confidence that mobilizes others toward shared goals.
- 17. Following (隨) – Adapting to circumstances and following what is right with sincerity.
- 18. Work on the Decayed (蠱) – Repairing what has fallen into corruption or neglect requires resolute effort.
- 19. Approach (臨) – Growing influence and opportunity approaching; act with integrity.
- 20. Contemplation (觀) – Stepping back to observe with clarity before acting.
- 21. Biting Through (噬嗑) – Removing obstacles decisively, as in resolving disputes or injustice.
- 22. Grace (賁) – Refined beauty and adornment, but substance must underlie appearance.
- 23. Splitting Apart (剝) – Erosion and decline; a time to withdraw and preserve strength.
- 24. Return (復) – A turning point where renewal begins after decline.
- 25. Innocence (無妄) – Acting in accordance with natural truth, free of ulterior motive.
- 26. The Taming Power of the Great (大畜) – Great strength restrained and stored, building substantial capacity.
- 27. Nourishment (頤) – Providing proper sustenance for body, mind, and others.
- 28. Preponderance of the Great (大過) – Extraordinary pressure on the structure; decisive but careful action needed.
- 29. The Abysmal (Water) (坎) – Repeated danger; navigating through peril with inner sincerity.
- 30. The Clinging (Fire) (離) – Clarity and illumination that depends on what it clings to.
- 31. Influence (咸) – Mutual attraction and sincere responsiveness between people.
- 32. Duration (恆) – Constancy and perseverance sustained over time.
- 33. Retreat (遯) – Strategic withdrawal at the right moment preserves strength.
- 34. The Power of the Great (大壯) – Great strength must be guided by rightness, not force alone.
- 35. Progress (晉) – Advancement and recognition through virtuous, steady growth.
- 36. Darkening of the Light (明夷) – Concealing one's brilliance during a time of adversity or oppression.
- 37. The Family (家人) – Order and harmony within the household as the foundation of stability.
- 38. Opposition (睽) – Estrangement and misunderstanding; small matters can still find harmony.
- 39. Obstruction (蹇) – Difficulties ahead call for reflection and seeking wise help.
- 40. Deliverance (解) – Release from tension and difficulty; time to resolve and move forward.
- 41. Decrease (損) – Sacrificing something now to benefit the whole later.
- 42. Increase (益) – Growth and benefit flowing from generosity and right action.
- 43. Breakthrough (夬) – Resolute, open determination to overcome remaining resistance.
- 44. Coming to Meet (姤) – An unplanned encounter; caution needed with what seems attractive at first.
- 45. Gathering Together (萃) – People and resources converge; unity requires sincere leadership.
- 46. Pushing Upward (升) – Gradual, steady rise achieved through humility and effort.
- 47. Oppression (Exhaustion) (困) – Constraint and hardship test inner resolve and integrity.
- 48. The Well (井) – A steady, renewable source that nourishes all who draw from it.
- 49. Revolution (革) – Fundamental change is necessary and must be timed and executed rightly.
- 50. The Cauldron (鼎) – Transformation and nourishment through refinement, like tempering in a vessel.
- 51. The Arousing (Shock) (震) – Sudden shock or upheaval that awakens and demands composure.
- 52. Keeping Still (Mountain) (艮) – Stillness and restraint; knowing when to stop brings peace.
- 53. Development (Gradual Progress) (漸) – Steady, patient advancement following proper sequence.
- 54. The Marrying Maiden (歸妹) – A subordinate or unconventional union; caution about roles and propriety.
- 55. Abundance (豐) – A peak of fullness and prosperity that requires clear vision to sustain.
- 56. The Wanderer (旅) – Being away from home base; caution, adaptability, and modesty serve well.
- 57. The Gentle (Wind) (巽) – Gentle, persistent influence that penetrates gradually.
- 58. The Joyous (Lake) (兌) – Joy and openness shared sincerely with others.
- 59. Dispersion (渙) – Dissolving rigidity or division to restore connection.
- 60. Limitation (節) – Wise restraint and moderation bring lasting stability.
- 61. Inner Truth (中孚) – Sincerity from the heart moves others even without words.
- 62. Preponderance of the Small (小過) – Attending carefully to small matters while avoiding overreach.
- 63. After Completion (既濟) – Success achieved; vigilance still needed to prevent decline.
- 64. Before Completion (未濟) – On the verge of completion; careful, patient effort still required.