The 64 Hexagrams of the I Ching

A complete 64-hexagram guide with King Wen judgments, upper/lower trigram structure, changing-line context, and coin-tool reading links.

KEY TAKEAWAYS / TL;DR

◈The 64 hexagrams are the complete I Ching index: each figure has six Yin or Yang lines and describes one changing situation.
◈Mathematically, 6 binary lines produce 2^6 = 64 possible configurations.
◈Read a hexagram through its upper/lower trigrams, Judgment, Image, keywords, and fortune tier rather than as a simple good-or-bad label.

By the Numbers

64: Hexagrams; The full King Wen sequence is indexed here.
6: Lines Each; Read bottom to top as a situation unfolds.
2^6: Combinations; Six binary lines produce 64 possible figures.

Direct answer: the I Ching has 64 hexagrams because each gua contains six lines, and each line can be Yin or Yang. This creates 2^6 possible configurations, each used as a symbolic model for a changing situation rather than a fixed prediction.

Each hexagram is formed by stacking two of the eight fundamental trigrams (Bagua). The lower trigram represents the inner condition or current foundation, while the upper trigram represents the outer pressure or unfolding development. Read the name, Judgment, Image, line movement, and question context together before forming a reading.

Difficulty at the Beginning

Darkening of the Light

Great Fortune(16)Good Fortune(22)Neutral(6)Misfortune(8)Great Misfortune(12)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many hexagrams are there?+

There are exactly 64 hexagrams. Mathematically, since a hexagram consists of 6 lines and each line can be either Yin or Yang, there are 2^6 = 64 possible combinations.

What does a hexagram represent?+

A hexagram represents a specific state of energy or situation in time. It is not a static prediction, but a snapshot of an evolving process.

How do I read a hexagram?+

Hexagrams are read from bottom to top. The first (bottom) line represents the beginning of a situation, and the sixth (top) line represents its conclusion or transition into a new state.

Should I read the original or changed hexagram first?+

Start with the original hexagram because it describes the current situation. Then read any changing lines and the changed hexagram as the direction of movement or the next condition. The question context decides how much weight each layer receives.

Are some hexagrams better than others?+

While some hexagrams deal with harmony (like #11 Peace) and others with crisis (like #29 The Abyss), the I Ching teaches that all states are transient. "Bad" hexagrams offer strategic advice for survival, while "Good" hexagrams warn against complacency.