How are the 64 hexagrams divided?

They fall into two parts: the Upper Canon of 30 hexagrams, from Qian to Li, and the Lower Canon of 34 hexagrams, from Xian to Wei Ji.

How is a single hexagram built?

Each hexagram has six lines counted from the bottom upward, formed from two of the eight trigrams. The eight basic trigrams are Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen and Dui.

How do I read a hexagram effectively?

Five steps: be clear about your situation and your question; read the main hexagram together with its changing lines for the whole picture; combine the upper and lower trigrams to see the inner and outer forces; apply the reading to real life; and keep a sincere, positive frame of mind while reading.

The 64 I-Ching Hexagrams: Complete Meanings & The Best Way to Read Them in 2026

A complete guide to the meanings of all 64 I-Ching hexagrams – from the Upper to the Lower Canon – with easy-to-follow reading methods so you can apply the Yi in modern life.

2026-07-14

The 64 I-Ching Hexagrams – Complete Meanings And How to Read Them Accurately

The I-Ching is one of the oldest and deepest classics of East Asian culture. With its 64-hexagram system, the ancients captured every shift of the universe, society, and human life.

At quekinhdich.net we compile the full meaning of the 64 hexagrams along with clear reading methods so you can apply the Yi in modern daily life.

1. What is the I-Ching?

The I-Ching (易經), also called Zhou Yi or Book of Changes, is the oldest book of the Chinese Five Classics, with a history of over 3,000 years. Beyond divination, it is a deep philosophy of movement, yin-yang, and the transformation of all things.

2. Structure of a hexagram

Each hexagram has 6 lines (from bottom to top), built from two trigrams (the Ba-Gua).

The 8 primal trigrams are: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen, Dui.

3. Meanings of the 64 Hexagrams

Upper Canon (30 hexagrams)

#1 – Qian (Càn): Heaven, creative power, strength, leadership. #2 – Kun (Khôn): Earth, receptive, nurturing, accepting. #3 – Zhun (Truân): Initial difficulty, perseverance needed. #4 – Meng (Mông): Youthful folly, need to learn. #5 – Xu (Húc): Waiting, patience. #6 – Song (Tụng): Conflict, needs restraint. #7 – Shi (Sư): Army, discipline, leadership. #8 – Bi (Tỷ): Union, harmony. #9 – Xiao Xu (Tiểu Súc): Small accumulation. #10 – Lü (Lữ): Treading carefully. #11 – Tai (Thái): Peace, prosperity. #12 – Pi (Bĩ): Stagnation, obstruction. #13 – Tong Ren (Đồng Nhân): Fellowship. #14 – Da You (Đại Hữu): Great possession. #15 – Qian-Modesty (Khiêm): Modesty is auspicious. #16 – Yu (Dự): Enthusiasm, preparation. #17 – Sui (Tùy): Following. #18 – Gu (Cổ): Fixing what is spoiled. #19 – Lin (Lâm): Approach, oversight. #20 – Guan (Quan): Contemplation. #21 – Shi He (Phệ Hạp): Biting through obstacles. #22 – Bi-Adornment (Bí): Grace, form. #23 – Bo (Bác): Splitting apart, caution. #24 – Fu (Phục): Return, restoration. #25 – Wu Wang (Vô Vọng): Innocence. #26 – Da Xu (Đại Súc): Great restraint. #27 – Yi-Nourish (Di): Nourishing. #28 – Da Guo (Đại Quá): Great exceeding. #29 – Kan (Khảm): Abysmal danger, sincerity. #30 – Li (Ly): Radiance, clarity, attachment.

Lower Canon (34 hexagrams)

#31 – Xian (Hàm): Mutual influence. #32 – Heng (Hằng): Duration. #33 – Dun (Độn): Retreat. #34 – Da Zhuang (Đại Tráng): Great power. #35 – Jin (Tấn): Progress. #36 – Ming Yi (Minh Di): Darkening of the light. #37 – Jia Ren (Gia Nhân): The family. #38 – Kui (Khuê): Opposition. #39 – Jian (Kiển): Obstruction. #40 – Xie (Giải): Deliverance. #41 – Sun-Decrease (Tổn): Decrease. #42 – Yi-Increase (Ích): Increase. #43 – Guai (Quải): Breakthrough. #44 – Gou (Cấu): Coming to meet, caution. #45 – Cui (Tụ): Gathering. #46 – Sheng (Thăng): Pushing upward. #47 – Kun-Oppression (Khốn): Exhaustion. #48 – Jing (Tỉnh): The well, source of life. #49 – Ge (Cách): Revolution. #50 – Ding (Đỉnh): The cauldron, achievement. #51 – Zhen (Chấn): Thunder, arousal. #52 – Gen (Cấn): Keeping still. #53 – Jian-Gradual (Tiệm): Gradual progress. #54 – Gui Mei (Quy Muội): The marrying maiden. #55 – Feng (Phong): Abundance. #56 – Lü-Traveler (Lữ): The wanderer. #57 – Xun (Tốn): Gentle penetration. #58 – Dui (Đoái): Joyous, communication. #59 – Huan (Hoán): Dispersion. #60 – Jie (Tiết): Limitation. #61 – Zhong Fu (Trung Phu): Inner truth. #62 – Xiao Guo (Tiểu Quá): Small exceeding. #63 – Ji Ji (Ký Tế): After completion. #64 – Wei Ji (Vị Tế): Before completion.

4. How to read a hexagram effectively

Frame the situation and question clearly – know exactly what you're asking.
Look at the primary hexagram AND the changing lines – see the whole picture.
Combine upper and lower trigrams – to see inner vs. outer dynamics.
Apply it to real life – the Yi only matters when acted upon.
Keep a sincere, positive mind – a clear mind, a clear hexagram.

5. A word from quekinhdich.net

The I-Ching is a reference tool helping you see problems more clearly. Whether the outcome is good or bad depends largely on how you act.

Stuck in life? Let the I-Ching help you find an answer.

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