The Trigrams of the I Ching
Introducing the Book of Changes: The Basis of Chinese Philosophy
Nov 16, 2008
Legend says that the eight trigrams were first written by the sage Fu Xi and were the basis for the Chinese writing system. The trigrams are a series of three lines, each one symbolizing either Yin or Yang:
- _______ : A solid line symbolizes Yang: strong, solid, masculine, light
- ___ ___: A broken line symbolizes Yin: soft, yielding, feminine, dark
According to R. L. Wing, in the I Ching Workbook, the trigrams can be traced from the absolute, or Supreme Ultimate, by recognizing first that everything in the universe is either Yin or Yang, a single line.
By adding a second line four symbols are created:
- Yang over Yang is Summer
- Yin over Yang is Spring
- Yang over Yin is Autumn
- Yin over Yin is Winter
Adding a third line, another level of Yin or Yang, creates the eight trigrams:
- Three Yang - Qian/ Heaven
- Two Yang under one Yin - Dui/Lake
- One Yin between two Yang - Li/Fire
- One Yang under two Yin - Zhen/Thunder
- One Yin under two Yang - Xun/Wind
- One Yang between two Yin - Kan/Water
- Two Yin under one Yang - Gen/Moutain
- Three Yin - Kun/Earth
Meaning of the Eight Trigrams
Qian - the symbol of heaven, qian represents firmness, creativity, force, power, and strength. It is the reverse of Kun/Earth, and holds the place of the strong Father.
Kun - the symbol of earth, representing responsiveness, receptivity, gentleness, and submission. It is the reverse of Qian/Earth and holds the place of the loving Mother.
Xun - the symbol of Wind (and occasionally Wood), it represents slow, far reaching change, gentle changes, and small efforts. It is the opposite of Zhen/Thunder, and holds the place of the gentle Eldest Daugter.
Zhen - the symbol of Thunder, it represents sudden change, growth, movement and energizing. It is the opposite of Xun/Wind and holds the place of the arousing Eldest Son.
Li- the symbol of Fire, it represents intelligence, clear sight, attachment and dependence. It is the opposite of Kan/Water and holds the place of the intelligent Middle Daughter.
Kan - the symbol of Water, it represents mystery, difficult tasks, danger, and things with great meaning. It is the opposite of Li/Fire, and holds the place of the dangerous Middle Son.
Dui - the symbol of Lake, it represents happiness, pleasure, excess, satisfaction, and openness or acceptance. It is the opposite of Gen/Mountain, and holds the place of the joyful Youngest Daughter.
Gen - the symbol of Mountain, it represents stillness, meditation, tranquility, rest, and immobility. It is the opposite of Dui/Lake, and represents the resting Youngest Son.
Understanding the Trigrams
Many people from Western societies are surprised when they see some of the associations of the trigrams. For instance, water is generally associated with life in the west, and danger is not normally associated with great meaning. At the same time, it is said that nothing worth doing is easy, and from Jaws to The Perfect Storm, the danger of the ocean is a byword in media.
The trigrams view the world from a perspective that sees the opposite of joy as resting, not sadness, and the opposite of the deep lake as the tall mountain.
Taking the time to learn and understand the trigrams can lead to a a new and very different perspective on the world. And an understanding of the trigrams is necessary to fully understand the I Ching.
References:
Wing, R.L., The I Ching Workbook. New York: Broadway Books. 1979.
Stevenson, Jay, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eastern Philosophy. Alpha Books. 2000
Huang, Alfred, The Complete I Ching. Vermont: Inner Traditions. 1998.
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