Hexagrams
Reference Index
Welcome to the complete I Ching hexagram reference. Below you will find all 64 hexagrams of the Book of Changes, each one a unique six-line figure that captures a distinct pattern of energy, meaning, and guidance. Click on any hexagram to explore its full interpretation, including the Judgment, Image, changing lines, and key themes. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or discovering the I Ching for the first time, this index is your starting point for deeper understanding.
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What is the I Ching?
Book of Changes
The I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, is an ancient Chinese text used for insight and reflection. It is based on 64 hexagrams, symbols formed by six solid or broken lines. This system has been consulted for centuries as a guide to understanding life's challenges and opportunities.
The origins of the I Ching stretch back over three thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously used texts in human history. Scholars, philosophers, and ordinary people have turned to it not as a fortune-telling device, but as a mirror for self-reflection. At its core, the I Ching teaches that change is the only constant. Every situation contains within it the seeds of transformation. By studying the patterns encoded in the hexagrams, you learn to recognize these shifts before they fully unfold, giving you the clarity to act with intention rather than react out of habit.
The philosophy behind the I Ching is rooted in the interplay of yin and yang, the two fundamental forces that shape all of existence. Yin represents receptivity, stillness, and the inward turn. Yang represents activity, movement, and outward expression. Neither force is superior. Both are necessary, and the balance between them determines the character of any given moment. The 64 hexagrams map out every possible combination of these forces across six positions, creating a complete catalog of life's recurring situations.
How does the I Ching work?
Yarrow stalks or 3-coin toss
Hexagram Dreams uses the 3-coin toss method to cast hexagrams. By tossing the coins six times, a hexagram is formed, revealing insights and guidance. This process is also known as casting the I Ching.
To cast a hexagram, you begin with a question or situation in mind. The question does not need to be perfectly worded, but it should be sincere. Clarity of intention matters more than precision of language. Using the three-coin method, you toss three coins six times. Each toss produces one line of the hexagram, starting from the bottom and building upward. The combination of heads and tails determines whether each line is solid (yang), broken (yin), or in a state of change.
The traditional yarrow stalk method is older and more ceremonial, involving a complex sorting process with 50 dried stalks. While both methods produce valid hexagrams, the three-coin method has become the most popular approach because of its simplicity and accessibility. In either case, what matters most is the quality of attention you bring to the casting. The I Ching responds to genuine inquiry. Treat the process with respect, take a moment to center yourself before you begin, and let the question settle in your mind before tossing the coins.
What is a hexagram?
Six lines, two trigrams, one moment
A hexagram is a six-line figure made up of solid (yang) and broken (yin) lines, stacked from bottom to top. Each hexagram is composed of two trigrams, three-line figures that represent fundamental natural forces like heaven, earth, water, fire, thunder, wind, mountain, and lake. The 64 hexagrams represent every possible combination of these trigrams.
Each line in a hexagram holds a specific position, numbered one through six from the bottom upward. The bottom three lines form the lower trigram, which often represents the inner world, your personal state, or the foundation of a situation. The upper three lines form the upper trigram, which tends to reflect the outer world, external circumstances, or the direction events are heading. The relationship between these two trigrams gives each hexagram its unique character and meaning.
The eight trigrams are the building blocks of the I Ching. Heaven (Qian) represents creative power. Earth (Kun) represents receptive support. Water (Kan) represents danger and depth. Fire (Li) represents clarity and awareness. Thunder (Zhen) represents arousing movement. Wind (Xun) represents gentle penetration. Mountain (Gen) represents stillness and contemplation. Lake (Dui) represents joyful openness. When two trigrams combine into a hexagram, their qualities interact, creating a situation that is richer and more specific than either trigram alone.
What are changing lines?
Where transformation happens
Changing lines are lines in a hexagram that are in a state of transformation. A changing yang line is about to become yin, and a changing yin line is about to become yang. These lines carry special significance because they highlight the specific areas of your situation that are actively shifting. When a hexagram contains changing lines, it transforms into a second hexagram, giving you a reading that spans both your present circumstances and the direction things are moving.
Not every casting produces changing lines. When no lines are changing, the hexagram as a whole speaks to your situation, and the reading is more stable and settled. When one or more lines are changing, those specific lines become the focal point of your interpretation. Each line carries its own commentary, offering guidance that is particular to that position in the hexagram. The more changing lines you receive, the more dynamic and complex your situation is likely to be.
Reading changing lines well is one of the deeper skills in I Ching practice. Pay close attention to the position of each changing line. A changing line in the first position speaks to the earliest stage of a situation, while a changing line in the sixth position speaks to its culmination. The second and fifth positions are often considered the most favorable, representing balanced action in the inner and outer worlds respectively. Over time, as you work with the I Ching regularly, you will develop an intuitive sense for how these positional meanings shape each reading.
How to use this reference
A guide for every level of experience
Each hexagram page in this reference includes the Judgment, which gives the overall meaning and direction of the hexagram; the Image, which uses natural imagery to illustrate the hexagram's energy; interpretations for love, career, health, and spirituality; the six individual line texts; and key themes that summarize the hexagram's core lessons. Together, these sections give you a complete and layered understanding of what the hexagram is communicating.
If you are new to the I Ching, start by reading the Judgment and Image sections. These will give you the broad strokes of the hexagram's message. As you grow more comfortable, begin exploring the individual line texts, especially when your casting produces changing lines. The key themes section is useful for quick reference and for identifying patterns across multiple readings. Over weeks and months of practice, you may find that certain hexagrams appear repeatedly, each time revealing a new facet of their meaning as your understanding deepens.
Hexagram Dreams makes this entire process seamless. Cast your hexagram using the classic three-coin method right on your phone, receive a personalized interpretation, and save your readings to a journal so you can revisit and reflect on them over time. The app is available on both iOS and Android, and it brings the full depth of the I Ching into a simple, thoughtful experience designed for daily use.