Hexagrams
The 64 states
1. The Creative
The hexagram Qian represents the pure, unfiltered primal force of the system. It consists of six Yang lines and stands for the maximum accumulation of drive, strength, and active energy for implementation. It is the 'Big Bang' of your character – the will to actively shape reality.
2. The Receptive
Kun is the counterpart to the Creative and embodies pure Yin capacity. It symbolizes the field that receives, nourishes, and stabilizes everything. Without the resonance of Kun, no impulse can take on lasting form.
3. Difficulty at the Beginning
Zhūn symbolizes the chaotic but energetically highly concentrated phase of a new beginning. Like a seedling pushing through hard soil, this build-up requires strength and, at the same time, the willingness to deal with resistance.
4. Youthful Folly
Meng describes the state of 'youthful ignorance' – not as a deficit, but as a phase of cognitive development and learning. It is the image of a spring at the foot of a mountain. The water is still murky, but it carries within it the potential for deep insight.
5. Waiting
Xu describes the phase of necessary delay before a great goal. It is not passive idleness, but the conscious gathering of strength and waiting for the optimal moment (timing). The image shows clouds in the sky that promise rain but have not yet released it.
6. Conflict
Sung addresses the conflict that arises when two opposing interests or directions collide (heaven moves upward, water downward). It is about clarifying positions and avoiding escalation.
7. The Army
Shi symbolizes organized force and the mobilization of resources for a common goal. It is the image of water beneath the earth – a hidden but tremendous force that must be channeled through discipline and leadership.
8. Holding Together
Bi describes the power of attraction and cohesion within a system. It is the image of water on the earth that collects and sinks into the ground to create fertility. It is about network intelligence and social synergy.
9. The Taming Power of the Small
Hsiao Chu symbolizes a phase in which great forces (Yang) are held back or shaped by small, gentle influences (Yin). It is the image of wind in the sky – clouds are gathering, but the rain has not yet come. It calls for tact and diplomacy.
10. Treading
Lü describes the art of moving safely through difficult or even dangerous terrain. It is the image of 'treading on the tiger's tail'. Success here is achieved not through force but through excellent manners, vigilance, and correct behavior.
11. Peace
Tai describes the optimal energetic state of a system. Heaven (vision) lies beneath Earth (reality) – they interpenetrate and fertilize each other. It is the phase of unhindered growth and maximum connectivity.
12. Standstill
Pi is the energetic counterpart to Tai. Heaven and Earth move away from each other. Contact is lost and there is no exchange. The system is 'frozen'. Communication and cooperation do not work.
13. Fellowship with Men
Tong Ren is the image of fire rising to heaven – visibility and clarity. It represents the connection of people beyond narrow clan societies. It is about teams, networks, and communities bound together by a shared vision (not by blood).
14. Possession in Great Measure
Da Yu symbolizes the state of maximum resource availability ('possession in great measure'). The sun (Li) stands high in the sky (Qian) and illuminates everything. It is the time of harvest, of influence, and of control over assets. But possession comes with obligations: whoever has much bears responsibility for its distribution.
15. Modesty
Qian (Modesty) is the image of a mountain beneath the earth. True greatness (mountain) that does not put itself on display but serves (earth). It is about reducing the ego and optimizing the 'signal-to-noise ratio'. Whoever has substance does not need to be loud.
16. Enthusiasm
Yu is the energy of thunder breaking forth from the earth. It is the spark that starts a movement. It stands for motivation, music, and the ability to sweep others along emotionally. 'Yu' also means preparation: tension is built up in order to release it in a targeted way.
17. Following
Sui (Following) describes the art of adapting smoothly to the quality of the time. The Lake (Dui) follows the Thunder (Zhen) – joy follows movement. It is not about submission but about 'active listening' to reality. One does not fight the market or the environment, but uses their kinetic energy.
18. Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Gu (Work on What Has Been Spoiled) symbolizes rot through stagnation (Wind under Mountain). But it is an extremely positive sign for doers! It calls for actively clearing away legacy burdens, toxic patterns, and outdated structures. It is time for a complete overhaul.
19. Approach
Lin (Approach) is the sign of the growing light. Earth over Lake – the water irrigates the earth. It is a phase of boom times, visibility, and influence. Great things lie ahead. Like a boss who personally walks through the company, one approaches things and people.
20. Contemplation
Guan (Contemplation) is the tower in the wind. Wind over Earth. It is about switching from action to observation. 'Guan' means both 'viewing' and 'being seen'. It is the 'meta-perspective' – the view from above onto the playing field in order to recognize patterns.
21. Biting Through
Shih Ho (Biting Through) is the image of teeth crushing an obstacle. It stands for the need not to 'manage' problems but to eliminate them. It is the hexagram of justice and radical problem-solving. Softness won't help here; it takes assertiveness to remove the blockage in the system.
22. Grace
Bi (Grace) is the fire at the foot of the mountain. It illuminates matter and makes it beautiful. It is about design, etiquette, culture, and atmosphere. Content matters (mountain), but without good packaging (fire) it reaches no one. Bi reminds us that beauty is a basic need of character, not just a luxury.
23. Splitting Apart
Bo (Splitting Apart) shows a mountain that is crumbling. It is the image of 'stripping away'. Structures that no longer hold up collapse. This is not an accident but a necessary evolution (late autumn). One cannot stop this process, only manage it. It is time for a radical 'clear-out'. Save only the core (the seed); let the shell die.
24. Return
Fu is the winter solstice. The light (Yang) returns, at the very bottom, very small. The system restart has begun. The low point has been passed. It is a time of quiet hope, but not yet of great deeds. The new light is tender and must be protected. One returns to one's own essential core ('reset to factory settings').
25. Innocence
Wu Wang (Innocence) symbolizes the state of 'flow'. Thunder under heaven – energy moves in harmony with the law. 'Without intention' does not mean without a plan, but free of ego manipulation. It is acting from inner truth (authenticity). When you are 'genuine', the universe responds positively. When you put on an act, 'unexpected misfortune' follows.
26. The Taming Power of the Great
Ta Chu (The Taming Power of the Great) shows the mountain above heaven. A paradox: the mountain holds heaven in place. It means focusing tremendous creative energy (heaven) through stillness and form (mountain). It is the phase of 'accumulation'. One gathers knowledge, money, contacts, and strength of character in order to be ready for the big breakthrough. A 'treasure trove of data' for the character.
27. Nourishment
Yi (Nourishment) resembles an open mouth. It is about the system's exchange with its environment: What do you let in (food, info)? And what do you let out (words, deeds)? 'You are what you eat' applies to thoughts too. It is time for quality control. Whoever consumes garbage produces garbage. Pay attention to your mental and physical diet.
28. Preponderance of the Great
Da Guo (Preponderance of the Great) shows a heavy roof on weak posts. The beam is bending. The system is close to the 'tipping point'. The pressure is enormous. This is a situation in which a lot is at stake. Ordinary measures are no longer enough. It takes courage and radical decisions to prevent the collapse or to bring it about in a controlled way (demolition). It is the time of the hero's journey, when one has to grow beyond oneself.
29. The Abysmal
Kan (The Abysmal) shows water over water. A rushing river in a gorge. It stands for danger, the abyss, and fear. But water has a superpower: It flows. It gets stuck nowhere, it fills every gap, it flows around every rock. The I Ching says: Face the danger. Don't run away. Like water, you must flow through the gorge. You cannot resolve the situation through rigid resistance, only through complete surrender to the current of life ('flow'). Trust is the key here.
30. The Clinging
Li (The Clinging) is fire. It stands for brightness, clarity, and consciousness. But fire always needs something to cling to (wood). It cannot exist in a vacuum. 'Li' symbolizes intelligent dependency: The mind needs matter, the vision needs implementation. It is the sign of 'seers' and strategists. You see things with crystal clarity. But be careful not to burn out. A fire that burns too wildly consumes its fuel too quickly.
31. Influence
Hsien (Influence) shows the lake on the mountain. Two forces attract each other magnetically. This is the sign of attraction, of falling in love, and of customer acquisition. It describes the moment when the spark jumps across. The teaching: You have to be 'empty' (open) to attract something. A full pot cannot take anything in. Attraction happens spontaneously through resonance, not through force ('push marketing' vs. 'pull marketing').
32. Duration
Heng (Duration) shows thunder and wind as a pair. They are constantly in motion, but their relationship is constant. That is the secret of 'consistency': True duration does not come from rigidity, but from constant adaptation and renewal. It is about long-term thinking, marriages, habits, and grit (staying power). Those who give up at the first resistance build nothing that lasts. Stick with it, but stay flexible.
33. Retreat
Dun (Retreat) shows the mountain under heaven. Heaven withdraws to gain distance. This is not a cowardly retreat, but a strategic chess move. 'Dun' describes the art of detaching: One withdraws one's energy from a toxic or hopeless situation. It is not the time for direct confrontation. The hostile forces are on the rise. Fighting now would be suicide. The sage withdraws – not out of fear, but to protect his resources ('Whoever yields today can fight again tomorrow').
34. The Power of the Great
Ta Chuang (The Power of the Great) shows thunder above heaven. Pure, untamed energy. Four Yang lines push upward. It is a time of great assertiveness and great momentum. But caution: 'Power' without wisdom is destructive. The I Ching warns against running like a goat into a wall. True greatness does not show in bulldozing everything, but in measuring out one's strength. 'Power is nothing without control.'
35. Progress
Jin (Progress) shows the sun above the earth. An image of radiant light, clarity and rapid ascent. It means promotion, recognition and expansion. You are being seen. It is time to say 'yes' to success. Your talents are needed. It is like a prince whom the emperor presents with many horses. Make the most of this favorable moment! But: a sunrise shines for everyone. Share your success and use your influence for good.
36. Darkening of the Light
Ming I (Darkening of the Light) shows earth over fire. Sunset. Or worse: The light is wounded and has to shine underground. This is the sign of hard times, persecution, or a toxic environment. The rule here: Don't show how smart you are! 'Hide your light under a bushel.' When the environment is hostile, it is dangerous to stand out. Conceal your light. Adapt outwardly, but inwardly preserve your truth ('inner emigration'). Survive the winter.
37. The Family
Jia Ren (The Family) shows wind proceeding from fire. Like warmth from the hearth fire permeating the house. It is the image of the family or the team. It is about structure, the distribution of roles and inner cohesion. The I Ching says: When everything is right on the inside (in the team/core), the outside falls into order by itself. Everyone must know their place and fill their role (role clarity). When hierarchies and tasks are clear, there is flow. It is a reminder that great success begins in small things. Nurture your relationships. Bring warmth and order to your inner circle.
38. Opposition
K'uei (Opposition) shows fire striving upward and the lake pulling downward. Two different wills in the same house. It is the image of misunderstandings, otherness, and opposition. But: Diversity is strength! Where everyone thinks alike, nothing new arises. Tension generates energy. This hexagram teaches a creative way of dealing with conflict: One does not have to make everything the same. One can be different and still work together ('unity in diversity').
39. Obstruction
Chien (Obstruction) shows water on the mountain. An abyss in front, a mountain behind. Nothing moves anymore. You're stuck. It is the classic 'wall' one runs into. What to do? Don't try to go through the wall headfirst! The I Ching advises turning back and changing course. When the outer world is blocked, the path inward is open. Use the pause to strengthen your character and to seek allies. An obstacle is not a stop sign, but a signpost pointing in a new direction.
40. Deliverance
Hsieh (Deliverance) shows thunder breaking out of the rain. A thunderstorm that drives away the sultry air. The tension discharges, the air is clear again. It is the sigh of relief after the crisis. It is a time when shackles are broken. 'Hsieh' means release – from problems, from debts, from resentment. Forgiveness is the key: Forgive others and yourself in order to be truly free. When the door is open, walk through! Don't hesitate.
41. Decrease
Sun (Decrease) shows the mountain above the lake. The lake gives off moisture to the mountain – it 'decreases' itself to make something higher fertile. This is the principle of investment: One forgoes short-term consumption for long-term gain. It is about reducing things to the essentials. Less is more. If one has little but offers one's heart sincerely (like two small bowls of rice), that is worth more than a magnificent but empty ritual. Declutter your life to make room for the new.
42. Increase
Yi (Increase) is the counterpart to Decrease: Here, what is above is decreased to increase what is below. This means: The leadership gives resources to the base, the wealthy invest. This creates prosperity for all (a trickle-down from top to bottom that actually works). It is a time of abundance, of the compound-interest effect, and of success. 'When you see good, imitate it. When you have faults, rid yourself of them.' That is the basis for true growth. Use the tailwind! It is one of the best times to start big projects and take risks.
43. Breakthrough
Guai (Breakthrough) shows the lake above heaven. Five strong Yang lines push out the last Yin line at the top. It is the moment just before victory. But caution: A single 'opponent' (blockage) is still left, and he sits in the position of power. You have to remove him, not with blind force but through truth and transparency. 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant.' Speak it out. Make it public. Be resolute, but stay fair. It is a highly explosive tension. One must not let up now. 'No more fooling around.'
44. Coming to Meet
Gou (Coming to Meet) shows wind under heaven. A single Yin line enters from below and meets five strong men. The famous 'powerful maiden'. It stands for a principle that looks harmless but has enormous power: temptation, influence, or a fateful encounter. It is a situation in which one has to be careful. Not everything that glitters or smiles nicely is good for you. It can lead you off your path ('distraction'). On the other hand: Some encounters change one's life for the better if one handles them well.
45. Gathering Together
Cui (Gathering Together) shows the lake over the earth. People come together around a common center (an idea, a god, a leader/vision). Where many people are, enormous power arises, but also the potential for chaos. It takes strong leadership and clear symbols to organize the crowd. 'The king approaches his temple.' It is time to make sacrifices – that is, to put ego aside in favor of the community. Prepare for the unforeseen. Crowds are dynamic.
46. Pushing Upward
Sheng (Pushing Upward) shows wood growing upward within the earth. A tree that strives toward the light slowly but unstoppably. This is not about quick fame (as with Jin), but about organic, stable ascent. Start small. Work your way up step by step. It takes patience and flexibility (roots that grow around obstacles). 'Seeing the great man' means: Find mentors. Go south (into the light/action). Success is certain if you don't give up.
47. Oppression
Kun (Oppression) shows a lake without water (Dui over Kan). Dryness, drought, exhaustion. It is one of the hardest situations: You have no resources, no help, and nobody believes you ('Words are not believed'). But: This is not a punishment, it is a test ('The dark night of character'). This is where it shows who has backbone. When the outside is hopeless, the strength has to come from within. You have to stay silent and endure. Complaining doesn't help. Talking doesn't help. Only 'being' helps.
48. The Well
Jing (The Well) shows water over wood. The image of a well from which one draws water. 'The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed.' People, empires, and trends come and go, but the basic needs (food, truth, meaning) – the well – remain. The well stands for access to your inner wisdom or to the infrastructure of life. Caution: If the rope is too short or the jug breaks, all effort was in vain. Maintain your access to the depths. A well is only useful if one can drink from it.
49. Revolution
Ge (Revolution) shows fire in the lake. Water and fire fight each other – a situation of extreme tension that culminates in a 'molting'. Old operating systems no longer fit new requirements. It is time for a radical update. But beware: Revolution needs timing. Only when the pressure of suffering in the system (or team) is at its peak will the change be accepted. 'On your own day you are believed.' Be credible and prepare the ground before you tear down the old. It is about the courage to shed outdated identities in order to make room for a more efficient design.
50. The Cauldron
Ding (The Cauldron) shows wood beneath fire – a sacred vessel for transformation. Here, raw food (experience) is refined into nourishing fare (wisdom). It is the symbol of spiritual and intellectual maturity. It is about processes of refinement. Whatever you throw into your 'cauldron' (time, focus, talents) is transformed by the fire of your devotion. Make sure your vessel (body/mind) stands stable and is clean. An unstable system spills the precious energy.
51. The Arousing
Zhen (The Arousing) shows repeated thunder. A shock, a bang, a system crash. Something unexpected tears you out of your comfort zone. It is life's wake-up call. First comes the fright ('Hah!'), then the insight ('Haha!'). The shock serves to blast away old encrustations. Whoever is stable inside keeps perspective, even when everything around them is shaking. See crises as necessary impulses for realignment. The lightning clears the air.
52. Keeping Still
Gen (Keeping Still) shows a mountain over a mountain. Total stillness. Pausing. Keeping the back still. It is the counterpart to thunder – the conscious mastery of impulse. 'Keep your back so still that you no longer feel your body.' That is the art of focus. When the outside falls silent, the ego stops demanding. It is not about passivity, but about Wu Wei – acting through non-action. When one must walk, one walks. When one must stand, one stands. Be the mountain in your own life.
53. Development
Jian (Development) shows a tree on a mountain. It grows slowly, roots deeply, and defies the wind. It is the image of stable, organic growth. There are no shortcuts here. Success comes from consistently keeping to the right sequence. Compare it to a long-term strategy: Before you expand, you have to consolidate the base. Every step builds on the one before. It is a very positive sign for projects designed for substance and durability. 'Good things take time' is the operating principle here.
54. The Marrying Maiden
Gui Mei (The Marrying Maiden) describes a situation in which one has to fit into an existing order without being in charge. It is about passion meeting reality. Here you are 'only' second fiddle or a junior partner. Your freedom of action is limited. If you try to take the helm or dictate your terms now, it will go wrong. It is a time of adaptation. Learn how to shine in a subordinate role instead of rebelling against the circumstances.
55. Abundance
Feng (Abundance) shows thunder and fire – maximum energy and visibility. You are at your zenith. Everything is running at full speed. It is the time of the greatest harvest and impact. But: 'When the sun stands at midday, it begins to sink.' Abundance is a fleeting state. Enjoy the success, but use the energy NOW for important decisions. Be like the sun: Shine, give it your all, but don't cling to this phase. Whoever has much carries much responsibility. Be as decisive as a king on campaign.
56. The Wanderer
Lu (The Wanderer) shows fire on the mountain. The fire does not stay – it moves on as soon as the fuel is gone. It is the image of transitional phases, travel, or being in unfamiliar systems. As a wanderer, you have no fixed rights. You must be polite, adaptable, and reserved. Whoever plays the boss in a foreign land quickly becomes isolated. It is a time of instability, but also of freedom. Keep your inner center (your fire), even if you have no outer home. 'Travel light, be polite, and provoke no one.'
57. The Gentle
Xun (The Gentle) shows repeated wind. Like the root of a tree that silently splits the stone, or the wind that blows steadily and changes everything. It is the principle of perseverance through gentle but continuous influence. You reach your goal now not through force (a hardware intervention), but through 'software influence' – steady repetition and subtle adjustment. It is the art of understatement. But beware of indecision: whoever keeps changing direction like the wind never arrives. Choose one message and stick with it until it has permeated the system.
58. The Joyous
Dui (The Joyous) shows two connected lakes that nourish each other. It is the principle of joy, exchange, and inspiration through dialogue. True joy here is not superficial fun, but a byproduct of inner clarity and honest connection. It is a high-energy, social frequency. Talk, laugh, share your visions. But beware of 'cheap dopamine': distraction through idle chatter or craving for outside validation leaves you empty in the long run. Use the power of exchange to increase knowledge and bring the system to life.
59. Dispersion
Huan (Dispersion) shows wind over water. It disperses the fog and lets the ice melt. It is the healing of rigidity and separation. Where systems are blocked, Huan brings back the flow. It is time to dissolve rigid egoisms and to focus on a great, shared goal (in the I Ching: 'Crossing the great water'). Resentment may dissipate, misunderstandings clear up. Be generous and let go of the control that is born only of fear. Reconnect with the core of your mission.
60. Limitation
Jie (Limitation) shows water over a lake. If the lake has no dam, it turns into a swamp. Limits are not a punishment but the condition for efficiency. Structure saves energy and gives your actions direction. It is about the healthy measure. Budget your time, your money, and your focus. But beware: Too much harshness toward yourself ('galling limitation') kills creativity. Find the 'sweet limitation' – rules that free you instead of locking you up. Without discipline, there is no mastery.
61. Inner Truth
Zhong Fu (The Trusting Heart) shows wind over the lake. The water responds to the invisible wind – an image of resonance without physical contact. Stable on the outside (Yang), open on the inside (Yin). It is the principle of absolute sincerity and inner truth. It is about trust based on resonance, not on contracts. Whoever rests in their center and is authentic influences the system through their frequency alone. Here, truth is not a wagging moral finger but an operative force. Prejudices block this channel. Become the 'hollow bamboo' – be permeable to the facts and loyal to your core.
62. Preponderance of the Small
Xiao Guo (Preponderance of the Small) shows thunder over the mountain. It is the image of a bird flying low: it has to stay close to the ground to be safe. Now is not the time for lofty strategic flights or expansion, but for operational precision in the small things. Here, modesty is a management strategy. Be 'excessively' careful, 'excessively' polite, or 'excessively' exact in your calculations. Right now, big ambitions block progress. It is the time for quality assurance. Success lies in the nuances that others overlook.
63. After Completion
Ji Ji (After Completion) shows water over fire. The energy is perfectly distributed: the fire warms the water, and the system runs at maximum efficiency. Every part is in its place. It is the moment of total success. But: in a living system, perfection is unstable. 'At the beginning good fortune, at the end disorder.' The greatest danger now is relaxing (a maintenance gap). The moment you think you are 'done', decay has already begun. Today, success needs no expansion, but meticulous upkeep. Patch the small cracks immediately, before they endanger the whole.
64. Before Completion
Wei Ji (Before Completion) shows fire over water. They move apart – total potential before the new order. It is the last sign of the I Ching and therefore its most important message: life is never finished. It is an eternal becoming. It is the moment when you have almost reached your goal (the fox on the ice) but need absolute precision right now. Impatience on the final stretch blocks success. Here, chaos is not a mistake but the raw material for the future. Put things in order step by step. Stay curious. Every completion is only the springboard for the next, higher cycle.