Eight trigrams

The eight trigrams

Eight three-line symbols form the vocabulary behind all 64 hexagrams.

Updated August 28, 2026

A trigram is a symbolic pattern, not a fixed prediction. Its meaning changes with position, pairing, question, and context.

Eight trigrams

  1. 1 · 乾 Qián · Heaveninitiative, direction, creative force
  2. 2 · 兑 Duì · Lakeopenness, exchange, joy
  3. 3 · 离 Lí · Fireclarity, attention, attachment
  4. 4 · 震 Zhèn · Thundermovement, awakening, response
  5. 5 · 巽 Xùn · Windgentle influence, entry, adaptation
  6. 6 · 坎 Kǎn · Waterdepth, uncertainty, repeated challenge
  7. 7 · 艮 Gèn · Mountainstillness, boundary, completion
  8. 8 · 坤 Kūn · Earthreceptivity, support, steady work