I Ching by Jhian

(a work in progress)

Several hexagrams and their Judgments and/or changing lines are posted here (see the download button below). Please note that the words stressed with red may be subject of change anytime later. Those stressed with green are new (still one should compare the new translations with the old ones for variations). Phrases written with italics are the author’s (Master Jhian) explanation of the hexagram lines as well as of the Judgments.

Please note that due to the difficulties of the old Chinese language, you have to acknowledge the followings:

1. When the text reads one should do or shouldn’t do something, or even actually did something, all these three instances are equally true.

2. Also success is similar with succeed or good fortune or any other such good omen.

3. The bad omen refers to failure due to the difficult conditions or the action not following the actual trends or personal fate. The first two are to be imputed to the acting man. They may or may not be reversed to a good issue. Concerning the fate, the result depends on occult forces out of the reach of the acting person.

4. Each omen - be it Judgment or line text - should be interpreted according to the actual situation of the acting person. This is why a general explanation of the I Ching predictions can not be conceived.

5. The acting person is anybody who consult the oracle.

If you don't know what I Ching is you may take our I Ching PDF - click here to learn how.

If you need assistance with the meaning of the answers, and everything else I Ching, join our online I Ching group at Google.

Just send a blank email to iching-online+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

Copyright. This work is protected by your country’s copyright law. Please don’t put this text on other support online or offline without the prior agreement with the author.

I Ching Hexagrams and lines commented by Jhian

1. Big Yang
Your leadership is sustained. [Good for hard work]

1. Here action is not required. (Or something is still in the project phase.)

2. Here action is required – is seen (as) an expert and must be consulted (as such).

4. Hesitation to leap - no misfortune. This is because you didn’t take any decision yet. Or, there’s no clear indication about the outcome of your action.

6. One can’t reach that much. (Here one should meet limitations that he can’t overcome.)

2. Big Yin
Don't lead, but follow.

4. There’s nothing you should care about (no danger).

3. Difficult at beginning.
Engage skilful helpers.

1. You need to be granted authority in order to succeed. Otherwise you’ll fail.

3. Hunting without forester - failure. One should not continue without expertise.

4. Wait patiently and in the end success will come.

6. Excessive difficulty will cease soon enough.

4. The Dodder
Good luck for the dodder should he follow the wise.

1. When you want to penalize the dodder don’t go too far.

5. Waiting
Though there's not so much to do now, there's a promise of good deal next.

4. You reach the place of blood (trouble) with your enemy. Finally a good issue through retreat).

6. Pretension
Don’t go with your pretension to the extreme.

2. Retreat and be satisfied with a small gain.

3. If by chance you did something worthy don’t wait for recognition.

4. Retreat and submit to your destiny (Heaven decree).

6. Any gain is followed by an equal loss.

7. Campaign
A leader obtains great success.

This title refers to a campaign not necessary military. It can be any form of action involving a group of persons who may act as helpers or sustainers. Still the leader should be an influential person.

2. You should share the same nature with others in order to continue with your business.

3. Perhaps you shouldn’t lead but follow others.

8. Togetherness
You shouldn’t miss the right time to approach the others - now, it seems the door is closed. Another idea: check (like through divination) if the principal party involved has virture (meaning everything requested from him.

5. You must accept only what the actual circumstances allow. It’s not up of your choice.

9. The power of the Small (Small Retain)

1. Coming back to your way – is this wrong? Good fortune.

5. He brings richness to others. (He is really the richness).

6. A certain success has been obtained but it is far for the completeness aimed at.

9. The Taming Power of the Small
Promises success. (In the stage of planning or hoping)

3. This line predicts conflict between partners of people in business relation.

5. If you trust the other you benefit from him/her.

10. Trading
Though the conditions are difficult you may still attain the good end.

1. Success for the one who is satisfied with his fate and don’t plan to change or ask anything (see also line 2).

2. The conduct of the solitary man is the model here (see also line 1).

4. Though the conditions are difficult (one is performing an hazardous action) one may succeed only if he is very cautious.

11. Peace

The small departs – the great comes.
 
3. Enjoy the present – disregard the future.
 
6. There’s a change for the worse. All you can do is to blame yourself and wait patiently the change for the better. (About this change see also line 3).

12. Stagnation
Evil people don’t support you but follow their concern.

1. A good deed will bring further advantages on the whole. All you need is to be firm. This may be related also to better regulations issued by government or officials that effect all pubic areas.

4. Submit to the ruler’s order (ot the Heaven’s will) and you’ll have success.

5. Much care is required at the end of stagnation.

6. Stagnation ends.

13. Fellowship
Here a fellowship of men is created in the remote districts and receives success. Advantage in crossing the great stream.

1. Issuing from his gate – that is, meeting others outside his own group or own way to proceed.

4. Here is shown someone who plans to proceed by force (like one who hides weapons in the bush). Coming back to law is advisable.

5. One secures his meeting with his mate and this way he succeeded to overcome the opponents.

6. Meeting in the suburbs – is not exactly the right way to proceed. No repentance.

14. Great possessions (Massing)
Everything further.

1. There’s nothing you should be afraid of.

3. Only a few people may attain/access this goal.

4. One must keep everything under restrain.

6. It is like Heaven supports you!

15. Modesty
Small gains. (General advice: the Noble one should temper his excess).

Note: Another translation of this title is “humility”. But “modesty” is the better choice because it is not so much a matter of humility but of knowing to deal with the actual conditions. Modesty is the conduct of someone who steps back when meeting a great person, that is, an official.

2. Modesty that shows up is much appreciated. (See the note above.)

3. One whose merit is acknowledged obtains success.

5 Without possessing anything worth one is able to influence others. Success.

6. The use of force should be made on a local base.

16. Enthusiasm
One should operate on a great scale (or all together).

3. Huge satisfaction is missing here. This is due to the delay.
Note: The analysis of the lines relationship shows that the third line is missing self-reliance which is considered to be bad (I am not sure why as long as this hexagram insists on the all together now effort. See the Judgment). This line is on a transition place and depends on the fourth one, a yang, strong line, but sitting on a yin place.

The nuclear trigrams are Mountain and Water - immobility and danger - which means staying still in the middle of danger which is wrong. But the immobility may lead one to thinking to the delay.

The interpretation here may be: you won’t have a great success due to the delay of exiting from the actual danger. And this is because you can not rely on your self and your correlate (line 4) is not correct.

When changing, this line gave birth to the hexagram of Small gains, where it is said that it is better not to mount but stay low instead. Perhaps we should take this advice as a simple note saying that there is no reason to expect a great success.

6. If one changes for what is right, finally there’s success.

17. The Following

1. Looking for associates outside his own circle is beneficial.

4. You meet people who follow their interest. Bad luck. But should you explain in plain words the reason of the joining, there’ll be luck.

6. Here someone obtains a following. But he is committed to his ancestors.

18. Decay
Deliberate seriously before you take any new step further.

1. In order to repair what has been spoiled by you or someone else, it needs a good servant.

2. Here the mess is due to the weakness. Your persistence in repairing it is not required.

3. Here the repair doesn’t lead to much regret.

6. Here is shown someone who doesn’t care anything and just follows his/her own interest. (Note: He may be a saint as well as a sociopath).

19. Working together (Approach)
The eighth month brings misfortune, that is one should seize the right time to act.

2. Joined advancement. Success. Still are things to do.

3. Complacent advancement. Beware.

4. Supreme!

5. Behave like you were in touch with a noble person. Success.

20. View
There's still something left to do.

4. Someone with such expertise should be treated with high esteem.

6. The advancement or retreat, that is, everything here, depends on your choice.

21. Biting Through
You need to be steadfast and take strong measures to fight the existing opposing power.

1. The one represented here is impeded to further do bad things. No error.

3. An old issue causes you some trouble. Not great error

4. Here someone has to do with an old issue but has the means (symbolized by money and arrow) todeal with it if he is aware of the difficulty and be firm

6. Here, someone lost his path because he is not able to hear the good advice. This is bad. (This line talks about a person that wear the cangue which is the symbol of a heavy punishment due to criminal deeds).

22. Adornment
You care too much for your bear. There's not so much to do (in this case).

1. You left the gold path and take the hardness of the work upon your shoulders. Or you leave the wonderful conditions to accommodate the modest ones.

2. Showing interest in charming. Or leaving out what is superfluous. Or one gives too much importance to formal or superfluous.

3. Perseverance furthers.

5. There is shown someone or something that doesn’t meet the high expectations. Still good fortune in the end.

6. All white. That is, extremely simple or without pretence.

23. Split
Nothing can be done. Just stop and wait (the change of the current conditions).

1. The bad influence of inferior people affect you as well.

2. One is broke through his relatives.

3. You are counted among the bad doers.

6. The superior one benefits from the actual situation while the inferior ones are destroyed. (There are things that benefit only superior people.)

24. Return (Fu)
Nothing new - the same as yesterday. (Something or someone returns).

25. Innocent Behaviour/The Unexpected
This is about sincerity which is misplaced or meets with trouble.

2. Success only if you have much luck.

1. Sincerity will bring success.

4. Remain firm - no error.

5. As long as the damage is not due to your mistake, you don’t have to do anything to fix it.

6. This is not the right time for action (or your action failed due to the missing of the right moment).

26. Great restraint
[It’s good to start something as you have the power to succeed. Also, you should look for what is outside (of your home).

1. Just stop.

2. Stop and wait.

3. While one is advancing with good horses one should be aware of dangers as well . Or one should be prepared for what is worst.

6. You must follow the Heaven’s course.*

(*)The stress here on the Heaven’s course is proof of the I Ching being inspired by the Taoism. About the Heaven’s course/way, which is a Taoist basic theme, I talked in my level 1 of the Taoism initiation course. I suggest you take this course if you wish to understand this basic concept.

27. Nourishing
You must find the best method of providing your services/cares. (Doesn’t exclude the benefits).

1. You don‘t get any benefit even if you make use of your excellence. All in vain.

28.

6. Though you failed, your effort is meritorious. No blame.
(This happens when one walks against the flow to serve a generous idea. He fails but his effort still deserves praise).

29. Danger
By keeping the mind/heart undisturbed by the many unexpected hits, one manages to get out of trouble.

1. This is a very dangerous situation. And what is worst is you can’t take any direction like in a trap. Legge: He will by his efforts only involve himself more deeply in danger.

5. Be modest. Don’t push too much.

30. Li (Fire) – Clinging, Depending on

3. The expected happiness is missing here or will not last long.

4. He comes and goes suddenly, without a trace, that is, not a lasting effect.

5. It further one to contend.

6. When you punish the rebellion act only on the chiefs. Leave the rest alone. That is, you should focus on what really matters and leave the rest alone. Or you should focus and continue by striking all that is contrary to your aim.

31. Influence (Courtship)
Advantage in proceeding like you are courting a young girl.

4. When one is uncertain (about whom to follow) a close friend will show up.

32. Duration.
Don’t change the direction.

2. The remorse disappear because he’s not interested in either part.

3. There’s no persistence. Disaster.
(The meaning here refers to someone or something that doesn’t maintain his/its actual status. But can be applied also to people with a changing mood even to neurotic persons, or politicians that changes the direction despite their promises.)

4. The hunt doesn’t have a goal. (Or the desired aim will not be reached).

5. One should take the lead instead of following.

33. Retreat

2. Even if you have a low position you can forced the good issue (with those above) by doing what is right.

3. Here is shown someone who would like to retire but is bound (by other people or his own habits). All he can do is to treat them with indulgence.

4. Here is shown the noble one who retreats because he wants to. The petty one can't attend to this.

34. Great Power
Don’t trust your power – think of what should one do in this specific life situation.

1. Power manifests in the lower part of the body. Do not act.

35. Progress
It is someone in a subordinate position that brings success. (One needs someone to act as a representative).

2. Blessings (limited) from your grandmother.

4. The problem here is one’s way of proceeding - too shy or hesitant like a mouse. Or the methods one uses to attain his goal are not fair or legal.

5. One doesn’t have to be concerned with his success because it is guaranteed.

6. One goes too far. This is embarrassing.

36. Offence
This is about offence. Mind not - just keep a low profile.

37. The Clan
Advantageous for the woman.

1. Establishing severe regulations in one’s household (or mind). No regret.

38. Divergences.

1. Don’t chase what seems it doesn’t fit you. Take another direction instead. No remorse.

39. Stumbling

2. If one doesn’t achieve you’re his/her goal it is because it’s impossible.

40. Release
One should return hastily to the normal conditions.

1. Everything’s just fine.

2. One got all it needs to have a good issue.

Note: this line talks about catching three foxes during the hunt and obtaining a yellow arrow. This is generally interpreted as meaning evil people that must be removed in order to attain release. The yellow symbolizes the reward of the good hunt but also the strength and determination of the hunter. In short, one should be determined to go further, that is, to getting rid of false friends (associates) or obtaining the good reward of his doings.

40. Delivrance
Advisable to return the the normality. If there’s still something to do, do it right now.

41. Decrease
When is time of decrease even a small profit is sufficient.

3. Decrease is followed by increase.

6. Increase others without decreasing himself… (one protects his goods).

42. Increase
One should do a great move and he succeeds.

3. One may be successful through unorthodox (even bad) ways but wishes to be recognized as a man of merit. The advice is to follow the middle path.

4. Here is pictured someone who has a good expertise on important matters. One should follow him.

6. Nobody increases this one, but attack instead. One should continue with perseverance otherwise disaster.

44. Meeting
She's very strong. Nobody can surpass her (like in a contest).
(One deals with a very strong (cunning) person, so one should be prepared for long and difficult disputes.)

2. Successful but one has to conceal his/her relationship with someone who doesn’t have to be met.

5. Hide your good spirit(virtue) and success will come as by charm. (Here the Heaven is a metaphor of the easy and marvelous success of this line).

45. Gathering Together.
Meeting with the official one should use great victims in order to succeed.

46. Pushing Upward/Rising
It further one to see the Great Man (that is, the man of expertise) and depart towards south (sometimes the cardinal points may be taking as real indication).

2. Perhaps he/she gets a little profit from the actual business. (See also the judgment of hexagram 15)

3. There’s no obstruction.

4. One acquires fame and respect as like being part of the Who’s Who.

6. Advancing without direction – one should continue with perseverance.

47. Exhaustion
One can succeed only by action (doing the right thing required by the specific situation).

2. Here one is depressed by high officials so that he loses his goods. He should show respect as sacrificing his goods as he is not allowed to act. Bad luck.

4. He is late in providing help for those below. He must behave like those of his rank. Still ultimately successful.

5. In his difficult place he must show much seriousness.

48. The Well
No matter what one does, the difficulty remains.

2. They don’t give a shit!

3. The public at large should be announced about this opportunity.

6. Everything is here and offered to the wide public.

49. Change
One should keep the old path as long as it is required (or another path shows itself):.

1. Not appropriate.

50. Nourishment (Ting).
Everything further.

1. The concubine doesn’t have a suitable position. Still she is able to bear a child. The same in the real life when you meet someone/something which provides both embarrassment and advantage.

2. You have plenty of it. Still you should be cautious about where you go and whom you associate with.

4. He/she screwed everything up. There will be evil.

51. Excitement (towards movement)
Though there are many shocks, there’s no echo, nor any active reaction.

1. Here an excitement perceive as pleasurable leads to success.

2. Leave all is yours (goods and plans too) and stay away. Later on you’ll receive all your due.

52. Restfulness
Look at the things at hand. (Don’t go further).

Wilhelm stated that this hexagram is about the Chinese yoga, that is, it teaches one the stages of acquiring the total restfulness.

1. Staying still and remaining firm. (Firm = implies the eventual continuation of some acting or state of fact).

2. Keeping the calves at rest that is standing still

6. Here the utmost restfulness is advised.

53. Gradual (step by step) development
Proceeding gradually following the prescribed procedure.

3. Nobody’s doing here what he/she should (what is right). One must arm against scam. (This is about a state of affair that runs contrary to the official norm, unusual.)

54. Bride
There's nothing to be done.

5. The line says: “The moon almost full. Good fortune”. This means one should not try to do too much or ask too much in the actual situation.

6. There’s no real (consistent) cooperation between the involved parts.

55. Plenitude
Work hard. (Be) like the sun at noon. That is, keep shining no matter what your fears warn you.
Fighting the fears concerns only the Tao masters (or monks).

3. You fail but not because of you.

4. You should meet with people like you.

6. Isolated with your goods and abilities. Disaster. (Here is shown someone who has all he needs on a large scale. But there’s nobody to enjoy with him his welfare. This is frustrating.)

56. The stranger
There's not so much to do for a stranger. (But to adopt the rules of those who host him).

6. You failed because of your own error (like a bird which burns its nest).

57. Gentle (penetration)
Little attainment. You should see the official.

1. You need vigour and decision.

5. Same as the judgment of hexagram #18, decay.

6. You know what the problem is but you can’t do anything to fix it.

58. The Joyous (Lake)
Success should you persist.

59. Scattering

1. A strong helper is needed to fight the peril.

4. Legge’s comment: He brings dissentient partisanship to an end - that is, he leaves struggle and opposition and embraces amity.

6. You should dissolve all the motives that may lead you to hurts and injury.

60. Limitation, rules, rigor
Don’t push the rules to the extreme.

1. Stay at home - don’t make any move (action).

61. Inner Trust/Sincerity (Sacrificing captives?)
The second character Fu of the hexagram title was generally translated as sincerity or trustfulness (Legge and Wilhelm). The true meaning is captives/booty according to the modern scholars translation. So the meaning of the Judgment should be: if one wishes to get followers (pigs and fish are, simply, disciples, followers), one should offer something to attract them.

But pigs and fish are also symbols of petty people so the way to attract them is through pure and simple sincerity (that is without decorum).

Or where is sincerity there’s no need of big sacrifices (pigs and fish are simple sacrifices).

1. One should rely on himself only (don’t rely on others).

2. Call only people that resemble you (same aim, same way of living, same company etc.)

4. The resistances diminish.

5. You gather others like a prince does.

6. This shows someone who no longer deserves to be trusted.

62. Small (in) Excess
Time to show moderation.

2. Not quite like a prince, here one is treated like a minister. The meaning is that there’s discrimination.

3. One should accept what it is (avoid excess). Action performing in these specific conditions will fail.

3. Guarding against attacks is beneficial. Otherwise misfortune.

4. Avoid excess is brings no error.

63. Already passed
First good luck then bad luck. Secure your enterprise.

1. Take it easy!

3. This is about a hard work that leads to tiredness. (Or great deeds are not for petty.)

4. Being on guard all day long – because he is in doubt about something.

5. Less is better than more.

6 Immersing his head – meaning he lost awareness. Danger.

64. Not yet passed
Take care of the crossing, you may lose your target. (A difficult tusk may be ruined if you don’t show permanence). The tail lowered which the oracle uses as symbol represents one’s vigilance or alertness. If he relax too early, he miss the target.

6. This line warns about the continuing exerting one’s power instead of being quiet and enjoying the moment.

More hexagrams/lines will be posted here soon.

Copyright. This work is protected by your country’s copyright law. Please don’t put this text on other support online or offline without the prior agreement with the author.

Update 01 15 2025