The Eight Trigram

The lines forming these trigrams are either whole (male) or broken (female). Each trigram consists of three male or female lines; and combined in various combinations; the  trigram symbolises heaven, earth, water, fire dampness, wind thunder or mountains.

The trigrams can be superimposed upon each other, and in this way 8 x 8 = 64 hexagrams are obtained.

These 64 hexagrams provide the essential text of the Chinese oracle-book. The 64 hexagrams covers all human conditions and occasions - a kind of inspired formula for interpreting events in the world.

According to a legend, the system  of trigrams and hexagrams was developed by Zhou-gong, the relative and political adviser of the first Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty (from c. 1050 BC). The trigrams are often to be found on the garments of Toaist priests and on the walls, ceiling and beams of Chinese temples. 

Originally, the Trigram was  considered a symbolic representation of the Family nucleus e.g. made  up of the Father, Mother, Elder Son, Middle Son, Younger Son, Elder Daughter, Middle Daughter and Younger daughter. This is still true.  In fact, the Trigram is more than this. If you look at the table below, the Trigram also represents the time and seasons. For example:  K'an represents Winter, Ken = Late Winter, Chen = Spring etc.

If you want to read more on Trigrams,Click here to go to Pakua. 

Trigram Name Symbolizes Person Meaning Direction Season Element Poles   Rain drops collect into streams, river & eventually to a heavy flow into a lake or the sea Middle son, middle aged men Poverty, worries, sickness,  trouble, danger, risks & toil. North Winter Water Yang   Mountain is stationery, motionless Youngest son & youth Obstacles leading to deadlock,  resting & static. NE Late Winter or early Spring Small Earth Yang   Thunder is energy & movement Eldest son & youth Time of expansion.Ne w ventures, new  job suggested. A new beginning East Spring Big Wood Yang   Wind stirs the air penetrates everywhere & travel distances even to remote places Eldest daughter Growth, continous toil,  purity,comple tness or indecison SE Between late spring & early summer Small Wood Yin   Lightning symbolises the sun & fire Middle daughter, middle age, wise & intelligent person Brightness, brilliance or disasters  such as fires, separation or dryness. South Summer Fire Yin   Earth is gentle & unyielding like a mother Mother, old lady, wives, workers Poor, inferior & lowly yet  receptive, humble, peaceful work is done SW Late summer, early autumn, ripening season Big Earth Yin   The marsh, a low lying place, insufficiency & inadequacy Youngest daughter, young girls Joy, excessive pleasure,  reflection, inducement, ruin & defects West Autumn Small Metal Yin   Heaven which is lofty, noble & firm Father Creative, strong, active,  continously on the move or time to make decisive decisons NW Late autumn or early winter Big Metal Yang