Complete Book of Changes directory

All 64 I Ching Hexagrams

Each hexagram is a distinct image of a human and worldly condition. Open any entry to explore its central meaning, practical direction, shadow, and pair of trigrams.

䷿1–64

In the traditional Book of Changes sequence, the hexagrams are numbered from 1 to 64. The number helps you locate the image, while its meaning unfolds through six lines, lower and upper trigrams, the central theme, and the context of your question.

1

The Creative

Qian

The moment carries pure creative force: much depends on whether you become the source of movement instead of waiting for an outside push.

power · initiative · creation
2

The Receptive

Kun

Strength comes through receptivity: rather than pushing events, listen to their natural rhythm and support what is already emerging.

receptivity · support · fertility
3

Difficulty at the Beginning

Zhun

Something new has begun, yet it still exists as a tangle of impulses, doubts, and unfinished connections.

beginning · chaos · orientation
4

Youthful Folly

Meng

The situation points not to a lack of ability but to a lack of experience; an honest question matters more than confident pretense.

learning · question · mentor
5

Waiting

Xu

The pause is meaningful: outward action is limited, but resources and inner readiness can be strengthened.

trust · preparation · timing
6

Conflict

Song

The tension comes from differing ideas of truth, fairness, or acceptable boundaries.

conflict · boundaries · clarity
7

The Army

Shi

Scattered forces require order, a shared aim, and someone able to hold responsibility without vanity about power.

discipline · organization · responsibility
8

Holding Together

Bi

The answer emerges through the right bond with people, values, or a cause to which you are prepared to stay loyal.

union · trust · belonging
9

The Taming Power of the Small

Xiao Chu

A major movement is temporarily restrained by small circumstances; fine adjustment will determine what comes next.

detail · gentleness · accumulation
10

Treading

Lu

You are moving close to powerful circumstances where precise conduct, respect for boundaries, and inner dignity matter.

caution · ethics · dignity
11

Peace

Tai

Inner and outer conditions begin to support one another; energy flows freely between intention and realization.

harmony · exchange · expansion
12

Standstill

Pi

The currents do not meet: good intentions have not yet found a suitable environment for realization.

separation · pause · preservation
13

Fellowship with People

Tong Ren

Strength comes through open fellowship around a clear idea rather than secret arrangements and private coalitions.

community · openness · shared purpose
14

Possession in Great Measure

Da You

You or the situation hold substantial resources; the central question is how to use them without losing proportion.

resources · dignity · generosity
15

Modesty

Qian

True strength needs no exaggeration: it levels extremes and makes room for precise action.

measure · simplicity · balance
16

Enthusiasm

Yu

Energy is ready to rise and unite people when it has a clear image of the future and the right rhythm.

inspiration · rhythm · mobilization
17

Following

Sui

It is useful now to follow the living course of events, but not blindly; the direction must remain aligned with your values.

response · adaptation · loyalty
18

Work on What Has Been Spoiled

Gu

The present problem grew from old neglect, a repeating pattern, or responsibility postponed for too long.

repair · responsibility · inheritance
19

Approach

Lin

An opportunity is approaching, and with it grows your ability to influence, support, and set the tone.

approach · growth · guidance
20

Contemplation

Guan

The situation asks you to step back and see not a single episode but the pattern created by your actions and presence.

observation · example · awareness
21

Biting Through

Shi He

A concrete obstacle lies between the parts of the situation and can no longer be bypassed through hints or patience.

decisiveness · law · removal
22

Grace

Bi

Form can make meaning visible and attractive, but it must serve substance rather than replace it.

beauty · form · expression
23

Splitting Apart

Bo

An old structure is losing support; preserving its former shape now costs more than allowing the unnecessary to fall away.

stripping · release · foundation
24

Return

Fu

After deviation, a quiet opportunity appears to return to your path without self-punishment or grand promises.

return · cycle · origin
25

Innocence

Wu Wang

Right action arises from a clean motive and direct contact with reality, not from a clever attempt to guarantee the outcome.

innocence · honesty · spontaneity
26

The Taming Power of the Great

Da Chu

Great power has already been gathered, but its value appears only through restraint, learning, and the ability not to release it too early.

accumulation · mastery · self-command
27

Nourishment

Yi

The quality of the future depends on what feeds your body, attention, relationships, and inner dialogue.

nourishment · speech · care
28

Preponderance of the Great

Da Guo

The load has exceeded ordinary measure: the old structure is bending and requires an unconventional but mature decision.

overload · decision · exception
29

The Abysmal

Kan

You are moving through a recurring zone of uncertainty where survival depends not on a leap but on inner steadiness and knowledge of the path.

depth · danger · steadfastness
30

The Clinging

Li

Light appears through what it clings to: clarity requires a worthy object of attention and a living connection with reality.

clarity · awareness · attachment
31

Influence

Xian

Influence works subtly through presence, mutual receptivity, and the ability to respond without coercion.

attraction · response · sensitivity
32

Duration

Heng

Lasting results come not from immobility but from loyalty to direction while methods are renewed intelligently.

duration · rhythm · commitment
33

Retreat

Dun

Retreat is not defeat now but a way to preserve freedom and strength while opposing conditions gain advantage.

retreat · preservation · strategy
34

The Power of the Great

Da Zhuang

Power is obvious and available, but its maturity is measured by whether it can be used without humiliating the weaker.

power · control · rightness
35

Progress

Jin

Light moves outward: it is time to show results, receive support, and move toward greater visibility.

progress · recognition · advance
36

Darkening of the Light

Ming Yi

The environment does not yet support open radiance; wisdom lies in keeping the light within and not exposing it to destruction.

concealment · endurance · inner light
37

The Family

Jia Ren

A close system needs clear roles, shared values, and conduct that confirms what is said.

roles · home · relational order
38

Opposition

Kui

Differences have become more visible than similarities; the task is not necessarily total reconciliation but finding a precise area of cooperation.

difference · individuality · common ground
39

Obstruction

Jian

The direct path is blocked not to humiliate you but to change the direction, method, or circle of allies.

obstruction · detour · support
40

Deliverance

Jie

Tension is beginning to release; do not remain inside the story of crisis once a path to resolution has opened.

release · forgiveness · movement
41

Decrease

Sun

Voluntary decrease frees energy for what matters: less form, expense, or demand may create greater inner strength.

decrease · sacrifice · essence
42

Increase

Yi

Growth intensifies where resources move toward what is truly alive and benefits more than one person.

increase · contribution · blessing
43

Breakthrough

Guai

Accumulated tension requires an open decision; hiding the problem longer only strengthens its power.

breakthrough · declaration · boundary
44

Coming to Meet

Gou

A powerful influence is entering your life, attractive precisely because it is unexpected and quickly captures attention.

encounter · temptation · influence
45

Gathering Together

Cui

People, resources, or feelings are gathering around a shared center; the union needs a meaning strong enough to hold many voices.

gathering · center · ritual
46

Pushing Upward

Sheng

Growth is possible through gradual ascent: each small step roots the next and opens a wider space.

ascent · effort · support
47

Oppression

Kun

Outer possibilities are constrained and words may find no response; support shifts toward inner honesty and preserving dignity.

exhaustion · endurance · truth
48

The Well

Jing

Forms change, but the deep source remains; the question is whether access is clear and people can draw from it.

source · service · renewal
49

Revolution

Ge

The old form has exhausted trust; real change becomes possible when its necessity is clear and the moment is ripe.

revolution · renewal · timing
50

The Cauldron

Ding

Raw elements can be transformed into nourishment for many; the quality of the vessel, fire, and ingredients all matter.

transformation · culture · value
51

The Arousing

Zhen

A sudden event breaks the familiar picture and returns attention to what truly matters.

shock · awakening · response
52

Keeping Still

Gen

Movement must stop in the right place so the mind no longer follows every impulse.

stillness · boundary · silence
53

Development

Jian

Right development proceeds in stages: the stability of each stage matters more than impressive speed.

development · stages · rooting
54

The Marrying Maiden

Gui Mei

A strong desire enters a system whose terms and roles were set by others; freedom of action is limited by the actual position.

unequal role · desire · position
55

Abundance

Feng

Events reach fullness and demand presence: this is a bright, intense moment that cannot be held forever.

abundance · culmination · radiance
56

The Wanderer

You are away from home, literally or inwardly; success depends on light baggage, respect for local rules, and a clear purpose for the journey.

journey · temporariness · caution
57

The Gentle

Xun

Gentle repeated influence enters where force cannot; change is made by the direction of the wind, not a single gust.

gentle influence · repetition · depth
58

The Joyous

Dui

Open exchange enlivens the situation; joy becomes strength when rooted in sincerity and shared with others.

joy · communication · openness
59

Dispersion

Huan

The ice of separation is beginning to melt; what fear or resentment held tight can return to a shared flow.

dispersion · flow · reunion
60

Limitation

Jie

A viable form needs boundaries: measure preserves resources and makes freedom practical.

limits · measure · structure
61

Inner Truth

Zhong Fu

Beneath outward words lies a core of truth that can be felt only through inner honesty and quiet attention.

inner truth · trust · sincerity
62

Preponderance of the Small

Xiao Guo

A grand gesture is out of proportion now; success lives in careful action, attention to detail, and modest scale.

small steps · precision · caution
63

After Completion

Ji Ji

The main task is complete and the elements are in place, yet precisely after success the system becomes especially sensitive to neglect.

completion · order · vigilance
䷿
64

Before Completion

Wei Ji

Almost everything is ready, but the parts have not fully joined; attention to the final transition matters more than impatience for the result.

transition · assembly · final step

Frequently asked questions

How many I Ching hexagrams are there?

The Book of Changes contains 64 hexagrams. Each consists of six yin or yang lines and describes a distinct condition and transition.

How do I find the meaning of my hexagram?

Open the entry by number. Each page includes the symbol, trigrams, keywords, core meaning, practical guidance, and possible shadow.

Should changing lines be read separately?

Yes. They identify the precise points of movement, and transforming them creates the resulting hexagram.

Consult the I Ching

Open the interactive I Ching in Reflecta: ask a focused question and receive six lines, a primary hexagram, changing lines, and the resulting image.

Consult the I Ching