The eight trigrams

A trigram is a figure of three lines. There are eight of them (the bagua, 八卦), and every hexagram is one trigram placed on top of another. Knowing the trigrams helps you see the images inside a hexagram.

• HeavenQián 乾Strength, initiative, persistence
• LakeDuì 兌Joy, openness, exchange
• FireLí 離Clarity, brightness, attachment
• ThunderZhèn 震Arousal, movement, initiative
• Wind / WoodXùn 巽Gentleness, penetration, adaptability
• WaterKǎn 坎Danger, depth, flowing through
• MountainGèn 艮Stillness, stopping, boundaries
• EarthKūn 坤Receptivity, support, devotion