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The Sixty-Four Hexagrams

The sixty-four hexagrams are the core content of the Zhou Yi (Zhou Yi), formed by combining the eight primary trigrams in overlapping pairs (8 × 8 = 64). Each hexagram has six line positions, known from bottom to top as the first line, second line, third line, fourth line, fifth line, and top line.

Composition of the Sixty-Four Hexagrams

Each hexagram consists of a lower trigram (inner trigram) and an upper trigram (outer trigram). The naming convention is typically "upper trigram name + lower trigram name + hexagram name"; for example, " Heaven and Earth Obstruction" means the upper trigram is Qian and the lower trigram is Kun.

The Eight Pure Hexagrams

The eight hexagrams in which the upper and lower trigrams are identical are called the Eight Pure Hexagrams, and they form the foundation of the sixty-four hexagrams:

1. Qian as Heaven - a purely yang hexagram, governing firmness, strength, and ceaseless effort
2. Kun as Earth - a purely yin hexagram, governing flexibility, receptivity, and generous virtue
3. Zhen as Thunder - governing action, upheaval, and sudden alarm
4. Xun as Wind - governing advance and retreat, hesitation, and gentleness
5. Kan as Water - governing danger, peril, entrapment, and wisdom
6. Li as Fire - governing brightness, dependence, and civilization
7. Gen as Mountain - governing stillness, obstruction, and stability
8. Dui as Lake - governing joy, talkativeness, and breaking apart

Important Hexagrams in Liu Yao

In practical Liu Yao divination, certain hexagrams appear frequently and carry significant meanings:

• Hexagram Qian - the strongest yang hexagram; in divination, it generally indicates firmness and smooth progress
• Hexagram Kun - the strongest yin hexagram; in divination, it generally indicates yielding and waiting
• Lake over Water (Oppression) - represents hardship and adverse conditions in divination
• Water over Thunder (Initial Difficulty) - represents early obstacles that possess developmental potential
• Heaven over Water (Conflict) - represents disputes, arguments, and legal troubles

Hexagram Sequence and Palace Assignment

The sixty-four hexagrams are classified into eight palaces, with eight hexagrams in each palace. Each palace is headed by its corresponding pure hexagram, followed in order by the first-generation hexagram, second-generation hexagram, third-generation hexagram, fourth-generation hexagram, fifth-generation hexagram, wandering-soul hexagram, and returning-soul hexagram. This classification method is crucial when installing lines for a hexagram in Liu Yao, as it determines the hexagram body and the positions of the subject line (Shi Yao) and object line (Ying Yao).

Study Recommendations

Beginners need not memorize the judgments of all sixty-four hexagrams by rote. The primary focus should be on mastering the fundamental attributes of the eight trigrams and the palace classification system of the hexagrams. You will gradually become familiar with the characteristics of each hexagram through actual divination practice.