Reference

The 64 I Ching Hexagrams

A complete reference to all 64 hexagrams, each with its classical meaning, a modern decision framework, and practical guidance.

• The Creative — Hexagram 1
  Pure yang energy: initiative, leadership, sustained momentum.
• The Receptive — Hexagram 2
  Pure yin energy: support, patience, quiet accumulation.
• Difficulty at the Beginning — Hexagram 3
  Birth struggles: chaos before structure, help matters now.
• Youthful Folly — Hexagram 4
  Inexperience asking: the value of honest instruction.
• Waiting — Hexagram 5
  Confident patience: preparation while conditions mature.
• Conflict — Hexagram 6
  Open disagreement: proceed cautiously, compromise pays.
• The Army — Hexagram 7
  Organised collective effort under discipline.
• Holding Together — Hexagram 8
  Union and alliance: belonging needs to be voluntary.
• Small Taming — Hexagram 9
  Gentle restraint: accumulate small gains patiently.
• Treading — Hexagram 10
  Careful conduct near power or risk.
• Peace — Hexagram 11
  Free flow between above and below: a favourable opening.
• Standstill — Hexagram 12
  Blocked exchange: withdrawal and preserving principles.
• Fellowship — Hexagram 13
  Shared purpose across differences; open alliance.
• Great Possession — Hexagram 14
  Abundance held well: plenty matched by responsibility.
• Modesty — Hexagram 15
  Deliberate understatement; quiet merit carried far.
• Enthusiasm — Hexagram 16
  Momentum through shared excitement; direct it well.
• Following — Hexagram 17
  Adapting to what is sound; principled flexibility.
• Work on the Decayed — Hexagram 18
  Repairing inherited damage before moving on.
• Approach — Hexagram 19
  Drawing near with substance; a favourable advance.
• Contemplation — Hexagram 20
  Observing and being observed; a time to study.
• Biting Through — Hexagram 21
  Decisive action on a clear obstruction.
• Grace — Hexagram 22
  Form and presentation; beauty that should serve substance.
• Splitting Apart — Hexagram 23
  Structural decay: do not resist, do not act.
• Return — Hexagram 24
  The turning point; a small return starts the cycle.
• Innocence — Hexagram 25
  Acting without ulterior motive; simplicity as method.
• Great Taming — Hexagram 26
  Storing up strength; study and preparation before use.
• Nourishment — Hexagram 27
  What you take in and what you put out; sustain well.
• Great Exceeding — Hexagram 28
  Extraordinary load; the moment for unusual measures.
• The Abysmal Water — Hexagram 29
  Repeated danger; consistency and inner truth carry you through.
• The Clinging Fire — Hexagram 30
  Attachment and clarity; brightness depends on what it clings to.
• Influence — Hexagram 31
  Mutual attraction; receptivity enables influence.
• Duration — Hexagram 32
  Consistency over time; steadiness outlasts intensity.
• Retreat — Hexagram 33
  Strategic withdrawal; preserving strength by leaving.
• Great Power — Hexagram 34
  Strong position; restraint matters more than force.
• Progress — Hexagram 35
  Rising into the light; advancement through merit.
• Darkening of the Light — Hexagram 36
  Light forced to hide; protect it and endure.
• The Family — Hexagram 37
  Inner order and roles; discipline begins at home.
• Opposition — Hexagram 38
  Divergence; small agreements with divided aims.
• Obstruction — Hexagram 39
  Hard going; turn back or find another way.
• Deliverance — Hexagram 40
  Release from tension; finish what remains quickly.
• Decrease — Hexagram 41
  Voluntary reduction; sacrifice that creates balance.
• Increase — Hexagram 42
  Growth and benefit; a favourable time to act.
• Breakthrough — Hexagram 43
  Decisive removal of what has gone wrong; resolve, openly.
• Coming to Meet — Hexagram 44
  An unplanned encounter; small influence, handle respectfully.
• Gathering Together — Hexagram 45
  Assembly around a shared centre; prepare for what follows.
• Pushing Upward — Hexagram 46
  Gradual ascent through effort; patient, well-supported advance.
• Oppression — Hexagram 47
  Being used up under constraint; hold your word, conserve.
• The Well — Hexagram 48
  Shared, unchanging source; maintain the system.
• Revolution — Hexagram 49
  Decisive change; only when the time is genuinely ripe.
• The Cauldron — Hexagram 50
  Transformation and culture; nourishing a new order.
• The Arousing Thunder — Hexagram 51
  Shock and awakening; the disturbance that clarifies.
• Keeping Still — Hexagram 52
  Deliberate stillness; rest the mind and stop moving.
• Development — Hexagram 53
  Slow, ordered progress; the right sequence matters.
• The Marrying Maiden — Hexagram 54
  A secondary role; enthusiasm outpacing the position.
• Abundance — Hexagram 55
  Peak fullness; act now, the peak does not hold.
• The Wanderer — Hexagram 56
  Being outside the structure; conduct without a base.
• The Gentle Wind — Hexagram 57
  Persistent, subtle penetration; gentle influence that lasts.
• The Joyous — Hexagram 58
  Open exchange and genuine pleasure; agreement through warmth.
• Dispersion — Hexagram 59
  Dissolving division; reduce the barrier and move.
• Limitation — Hexagram 60
  Necessary boundaries; good structure enables freedom.
• Inner Truth — Hexagram 61
  Sincerity and trust; honesty as an operational tool.
• Small Exceeding — Hexagram 62
  Modest excess; attend to small matters, not large ambition.
• After Completion — Hexagram 63
  The task is done; the risk now is complacency.
• Before Completion — Hexagram 64
  Not yet finished; orderly effort in the final stretch.