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Fundamentals of the Eight Trigrams

The eight trigrams are the core symbolic system of ancient Chinese philosophy, created by Fu Xi. Each trigram is formed by arranging three yin (--) and yang (—) lines in a group, yielding a total of eight combinations.

Names and Symbols of the Eight Trigrams

Mnemonic for the Eight Trigrams

Qian is three solid lines (☰), Kun is six broken segments (☷), Zhen is like an open bowl (☳), Gen is like an overturned bowl (☶), Li is hollow in the center (☲), Kan is full in the center (☵), Dui is broken at the top (☱), and Xun is broken at the bottom (☴).

Early Heaven and Later Heaven Trigrams

Early Heaven Trigrams (Fu Xi Trigrams): Qian in the south and Kun in the north, Li in the east and Kan in the west. They represent the intrinsic, primordial state of the cosmos and are primarily used for theoretical study.

Later Heaven Trigrams (King Wen Trigrams): Li in the south and Kan in the north, Zhen in the east and Dui in the west. They represent the operational laws of the cosmos and serve as the practical foundation for Liu Yao divination.

The Myriad Correspondences of the Trigrams

Each trigram corresponds to a vast array of objects and concepts. For example:

• Qian Trigram - Father, leaders, metal, round shapes, horses
• Kun Trigram - Mother, the earth, cloth, square shapes, cattle
• Zhen Trigram - Eldest son, thunder, vehicles, movement, dragons
• Xun Trigram - Eldest daughter, wind, ropes, birds, chickens

Application in Liu Yao

A Liu Yao hexagram is formed by stacking two primary trigrams (the eight trigrams) one above the other. The lower trigram is called the inner trigram (lower trigram), and the upper trigram is called the outer trigram (upper trigram). Understanding the basic attributes of the eight trigrams is an essential prerequisite for studying Liu Yao.