The Building Blocks of Reality
Before the 64 Hexagrams, there were the foundations. Explore Bradford Hatcher's formidable dictionary of the primal vectors that form the I Ching universe.
The Scale of Two
Er Yao (两仪) · The fundamental polarity / Hsiao (爻)
The Scale of Four
Si Xiang (四象) · The Four Emblems
00
Tai Yin
Tai Yin
Water
soadescend followlevelrecharging comprehending unifying internalizingcohering valuing community dedicationreverence assumption appreciation sensitivity
01
Shao Yang
Shao Yang
Wood
bendstraighten pushpenetrateinvesting realizing recruiting substantiatingexploring promoting organism orientation
10
Shao Yin
Shao Yin
Metal
conformcut restrainminimizedirecting idealizing coordinating verifyingcontracting appraising plasticity application
11
Tai Yang
Tai Yang
Fire
flameascend commitchangedischarging vitalizing leading externalizingdiversifying presenting identity direction
The Scale of Eight
Ba Gua (八卦) · The Eight Trigrams
000
Kun
Accepting
Simplifying, responding, welcoming, forgiving, upholding, serving, sustaining, nurturing, caring, weathering, submitting, containing, leveling, sinking, background, environment, grass roots, lowlands, latitude, altar, shelter, openness, the given, burdens, furrows, diversity, inclusion, surrender, loyalty, work, welfare, expansive, accessible, impartial, collective, selfless, virtuous, broad, comprehensive, global, mundane, ordinary, generous, receptive, whole, wide open, impressionable, even, warm, lenient, substantial, abundant, m assive, acquiescent, extensive, ample
001
Gen
Stillness
Embodying, securing, positing, accumulating, standing, maintaining, settling, defining, finishing, restraining, resisting, backing up, culminating, enduring, manifestation, identity, stature, domain, landmark, terms, confirmation, edifice, tact, touchstone, plateau, transition, repository, proximity, threshold, candor, attainment, composed, benevolent, magnanimous, steadfast, objective, genuine, conscientious, dependable, centered, circumscribed, inevitable, cohesive, stubborn, limited, static, concrete, contemplative, realized, guarded, principled, circumspect, quiet, attentive
010
Kan
Exposure
Venturing, stretching, sounding, listening, worrying, braving, daring, pressing, hazarding, stressing, problem solving, plunging in, focusing, overcoming, insecurity, commitment, expedience, exigency, tension, self-reliance, constraints, straits, depression, predicament, luck, tenacity, relevance, confidence, fear, ambush, vulnerable, mysterious, hearty, severe, tenacious, challenging, unpredictable, vital, engulfing, dauntless, unfamiliar, wild, relentless, haunting, probabilistic, inundated, unknown, dangerous, reckless, inescapable, stout hearted, risky, uncertain, urgent
011
Xun
Adaptation
Searching, interacting, accessing, discerning, refining, circumventing, communicating, getting a drift, bending, insinuating, easing in, coopting, juggling, hints, savvy, insight, puzzle, improvisation, curiosity, reply, windfalls, inspiration, contingency, permutation, knack, adjustment, subtlety, follow through, repertoire, protean, indecisive, tentative, shrewd, deductive, intermediate, supple, circuitous, provisional, complex, nim ble, intelligible, elastic, fungible, tricky, clever, permeable, speculative, tenuous, astute, variable, alert, interested, breezy, meddlesome, quick
100
Zhen
Arousal
Moving, growing, proclaiming, awakening, shaking up, provoking, breaking loose, inciting, commanding, quickening, stimulating, sprouting, agitating, discharge, muscle, adventure, w arrior, surge, rhythm, alarm, volition, thrust, motive, appetite, im pact, shock, upset, exhilaration, repercussion, activity, kick, jo lt, force, impulsive, thunderstruck, threatening, kinetic, demonstrative, stunning, powerful, vibrant, dynamic, spirited, disturbing, com pelling, animated, astonished, emergent, effective, unstable, decisive, piqued, stormy, vital, autonomous, proactive, excited
101
Li
Arising
Shining, articulating, individuating, renewing, evaluating, appearing, transforming, contrasting, discerning, cla rifying, metabolizing, qualifying, burning, combustion, attention, identity, spark, health, hearth, foresight, witness, coherence, instance, moment, importance, departure, exaltation, vision, presence, interaction, solar, phototrophic, lucid, sentient, healing, explicit, distinct, contingent, self-aware, warm, outgoing, eye-catching, sociable, fired up, l ambent, eidetic, varied, colorful, triumphant, dazzling, temperamental, vital, unique, discrete, forward, golden, alive
110
Dui
Satisfaction
Encouraging, opening up, bargaining, liking, winning, appreciating, attracting, reaping, beguiling, hitting the spot, consuming, transacting, p ersuading, self-interest, affection, charm, vanity, relief, tantrum, payoff, fascination, seduction, gratification, joie de vivre, play, hunger, excess, incentive, epicure, bliss, frustration, sensuous, acquisitive, private, complacent, juicy, grateful, intense, thrilling, amused, fetching, indulgent, loquacious, ripe, responsive, personal, consensual, superficial, tasty, decadent, oral, awash, erotic, redeemed, satiated, captivating, magical, m utual
111
Qian
Creating
Designing, originating, provoking, resolving, struggling, m aximizing, inspiring, ordering, persevering, intending, directing, surviving, asserting, leading, authority, attunement, destiny, m erit, innovation, dignity, s eed, discipline, liberty, genius, solitude, facility, sovereignty, starlight, guidance, vanguard, apex, mastery, autonomous, enduring, potent, fierce, straight, brisk, cogent, cold, charged, proud, sure, clean, perpetual, impersonal, striking, primal, venerable, co mmanding, lasting, competent, original, driven, vast, exemplary, paternal, i nspiring, purposeful, direct