Detailed Explanation of the 64 Hexagrams in the I Ching
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Qian (乾) - Heaven: Qian is the first hexagram and is symbolized by the concept of Heaven. It represents creativity, strength, and the active force in the universe. The hexagram consists of six unbroken lines, which can be thought of as "Heaven above Heaven" or "Heaven below Heaven" depending on the context.
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Dui (兑) - Lake/Joy: Dui represents the element of joy, pleasure, and the lake. It is associated with the trigrams of Lake above and Lake below.
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Li (离) - Fire: Li symbolizes fire and brightness. It is associated with the trigrams of Fire above and Fire below.
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Zhen (震) - Thunder: Zhen represents the element of thunder and is associated with the trigrams of Thunder above and Thunder below.
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Xun (巽) - Wind: Xun symbolizes the wind and is associated with the trigrams of Wind above and Wind below.
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Kan (坎) - Water: Kan represents water and is associated with the trigrams of Water above and Water below.
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Gen (艮) - Mountain: Gen symbolizes the mountain and is associated with the trigrams of Mountain above and Mountain below.
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Kun (坤) - Earth: Kun represents the earth and is associated with the trigrams of Earth above and Earth below.
I Ching Hexagram 1: Qian as Heaven (Qian Hexagram)
Hexagram Interpretation
- Symbolism of Qian: Heaven, representing strength and integrity, symbolizes pure yang and vigor, indicating prosperity and robustness.
- Hexagram Text: Yuan, Li, He, Zhen, signifying great fortune and success, everything goes well, and all wishes come true.
- Great Image: Heaven's movement is strong and unceasing. The superior man should emulate this by ceaselessly striving for self-improvement.
Line Explanations
- Line 1 (Initial Nine): The dragon hides, do not act. The dragon is still submerged in the water, conserving energy and not yet ready to exert its influence.
- Line 2 (Nine in the Second Position): The dragon appears in the field, it is beneficial to meet a great person. The dragon has emerged on land, and it is favorable to encounter a person of high virtue and status.
- Line 3 (Nine in the Third Position): The superior man is diligent all day long, and in the evening he is cautious and apprehensive, without fault. The virtuous gentleman is always diligent during the day and introspective at night, and although the situation is difficult, there is ultimately no disaster.
- Line 4 (Nine in the Fourth Position): The dragon may leap in the abyss, without fault. The dragon either leaps into the sky or stays in the abyss, and as long as it advances according to the needs of the situation, there will be no mistake.
- Line 5 (Nine in the Fifth Position): The dragon flies in the sky, it is beneficial to meet a great person. The dragon soars in the air, and it is favorable to meet with nobles and kings.
- Line 6 (Top Nine): The dragon in its supreme height has cause for regret. The dragon that has risen to its limit will face calamity, warning people that loftiness and fullness cannot be maintained for long.
- Line 7 (Use Nine): When dragons without heads appear in groups, auspicious. All yang lines indicate the Qian hexagram, also known as the name of the hexagram.
Comprehensive Analysis
- Career: Great fortune and success, everything goes well, all wishes come true, with divine favor, triumphant as the spring breeze, and the career is at its peak. However, yang energy has reached its peak, and extreme prosperity must decline, so it is necessary to be vigilant and cautious. Avoid arrogance, handle the world calmly, and maintain a peaceful state of mind, then one can fully exert their talents and ensure career success.
- Business: Very smooth, with great opportunities for development and progress. However, do not rush, it is advisable to calmly analyze the situation, seize the opportunity, adhere to business ethics, calmly deal with difficulties that arise along the way, and there will be satisfactory results.
- Fame: The potential has not been fully realized yet, as long as further efforts are made, overcome the emotions of pride and complacency, and cultivate virtue and knowledge, one can achieve the name of a gentleman.
- Travel: It is beneficial to travel, and it is better to travel in groups.
- Marriage: Yang is strong and yin is weak, but the combination of rigid and soft can lead to a happy result. A gentle woman is even better.
- Decision Making: One can achieve great things. By adhering to the essence of the hexagram's strength, integrity, and fairness, cultivating virtue, accumulating knowledge, and strengthening beliefs, one can overcome difficulties and eliminate disasters.