I Ching

I ChingYijingHexagram 2The ReceptiveDivination

I Ching · No.02 · K'un / The Receptive

Khwăn (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.

I ChingYijingHexagram 3Difficulty at the BeginningDivination

I Ching · No.03 · Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning

Kun (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be great progress and success, and the advantage will come from being correct and firm. (But) any movement in advance should not be (lightly) undertaken. There will be advantage in appointing feudal princes.

I ChingYijingHexagram 4Youthful FollyDivination

I Ching · No.04 · Mêng / Youthful Folly

Măng (indicates that in the case which it presupposes) there will be progress and success. I do not (go and) seek the youthful and inexperienced, but he comes and seeks me. When he shows (the sincerity that marks) the first recourse to divination, I instruct him. If he apply a second and third time, that is troublesome; and I do not instruct the troublesome. There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

I ChingApr 23, 2026Read time 17 min

I Ching · No.05 · Hsü / Waiting (Nourishment)

Hsü intimates that, with the sincerity which is declared in it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.

I ChingYijingHexagram 5Waiting (Nourishment)Divination

I ChingApr 23, 2026Read time 17 min

I Ching · No.06 · Sung / Conflict

Sung intimates how, though there is sincerity in one's contention, he will yet meet with opposition and obstruction; but if he cherish an apprehensive caution, there will be good fortune, while, if he must prosecute the contention to the (bitter) end, there will be evil. It will be advantageous to see the great man; it will not be advantageous to cross the great stream.

I ChingYijingHexagram 6ConflictDivination

I ChingYijingHexagram 7The ArmyDivination

I Ching · No.07 · Shih / The Army

Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.

I ChingYijingHexagram 8Holding Together [union]Divination

I Ching · No.08 · Pi / Holding Together [union]

Pî indicates that (under the conditions which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill.

I ChingApr 23, 2026Read time 15 min

I Ching · No.09 · Hsiao Ch'u / The Taming Power of the Small

Hsiâo Khû indicates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. (We see) dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.

I ChingYijingHexagram 9The Taming Power of the SmallDivination

I ChingYijingHexagram 10Treading [conduct]Divination

I Ching · No.10 · Lü / Treading [conduct]

(Lî suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.

I ChingYijingHexagram 11PeaceDivination

I Ching · No.11 · T'ai / Peace

In Thâi (we see) the little gone and the great come. (It indicates that) there will be good fortune, with progress and success.

I ChingYijingHexagram 12Standstill [Stagnation]Divination

I Ching · No.12 · P'i / Standstill [Stagnation]

In Phî there is the want of good understanding between the (different classes of) men, and its indication is unfavourable to the firm and correct course of the superior man. We see in it the great gone and the little come.

I ChingYijingHexagram 13Fellowship with MenDivination

I Ching · No.13 · T'ung Jên / Fellowship with Men

Thung Zăn (or 'Union of men') appears here (as we find it) in the (remote districts of the) country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior man.

I ChingYijingHexagram 14Possession in Great MeasureDivination

I Ching · No.14 · Ta Yu / Possession in Great Measure

Tâ Yû indicates that, (under the circumstances which it implies), there will be great progress and success.

I ChingYijingHexagram 15ModestyDivination

I Ching · No.15 · Ch'ien / Modesty

Khien indicates progress and success. The superior man, (being humble as it implies), will have a (good) issue (to his undertakings).

I ChingYijingHexagram 16EnthusiasmDivination

I Ching · No.16 · Yü / Enthusiasm

Yü indicates that, (in the state which it implies), feudal princes may be set up, and the hosts put in motion, with advantage.

I ChingYijingHexagram 17FollowingDivination

I Ching · No.17 · Sui / Following

Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.

I ChingYijingHexagram 18Work on what has been spoiled [ Decay ]Divination

I Ching · No.18 · Ku / Work on what has been spoiled [ Decay ]

Kû indicates great progress and success (to him who deals properly with the condition represented by it). There will be advantage in (efforts like that of) crossing the great stream. (He should weigh well, however, the events of) three days before the turning point, and those (to be done) three days after it.

I ChingYijingHexagram 19ApproachDivination

I Ching · No.19 · Lin / Approach

Lin (indicates that under the conditions supposed in it) there will be great progress and success, while it will be advantageous to be firmly correct. In the eighth month there will be evil.

I ChingYijingHexagram 20Contemplation (View)Divination

I Ching · No.20 · Kuan / Contemplation (View)

Kwân shows (how he whom it represents should be like) the worshipper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings;--with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard).

I ChingYijingHexagram 21Biting ThroughDivination

I Ching · No.21 · Shih Ho / Biting Through

Shih Ho indicates successful progress (in the condition of things which it supposes). It will be advantageous to use legal constraints.

I ChingYijingHexagram 22GraceDivination

I Ching · No.22 · Pi / Grace

Pî indicates that there should be free course (in what it denotes). There will be little advantage (however) if it be allowed to advance (and take the lead).

I ChingYijingHexagram 23Splitting ApartDivination

I Ching · No.23 · Po / Splitting Apart

Po indicates that (in the state which it symbolises) it will not be advantageous to make a movement in any direction whatever.

I ChingYijingHexagram 24Return (The Turning Point)Divination

I Ching · No.24 · Fu / Return (The Turning Point)

Fû indicates that there will be free course and progress (in what it denotes). (The subject of it) finds no one to distress him in his exits and entrances; friends come to him, and no error is committed . He will return and repeat his (proper) course. In seven days comes his return. There will be advantage in whatever direction movement is made.