TheAbysmal I-Ching & Tao

Abysmal Links

The Abysmal
Abysmal Links
Annual Daylight and the I-Ching
Tao Te Ching 1
Two-by-two

64hexagrams

I-Ching Hexagrams – the King Wen Sequence

I-Ching Hexagram 1 – the Creative
I-Ching Hexagram 2 – the Receptive
I-Ching Hexagram 3 – Difficulty at the Beginning
I-Ching Hexagram 4 – Youthful Folly

I-Ching Hexagram 5 – Waiting [Nourishment]
I-Ching Hexagram 6 – Conflict
I-Ching Hexagram 7 – the Army
I-Ching Hexagram 8 – Holding Together [Union]

I-Ching Hexagram 9 – The Taming Power of Small
I-Ching Hexagram 10 – Treading [Conduct]
I-Ching Hexagram 11 – Peace
I-Ching Hexagram 12 – Standstill [Stagnation]

I-Ching Hexagram 13 – Fellowship with Men
I-Ching Hexagram 14 – Possession in Great Measure
I-Ching Hexagram 15 – Modesty
I-Ching Hexagram 16 – Enthusiasm

I-Ching Hexagram 17 – Following
I-Ching Hexagram 18 – Work on What has been Spoiled [Decay]
I-Ching Hexagram 19 – Approach
I-Ching Hexagram 20 – Contemplation [View]

I-Ching Hexagram 21 – Biting Through
I-Ching Hexagram 22 – Grace
I-Ching Hexagram 23 – Splitting Apart
I-Ching Hexagram 24 – Return [The Turning Point]

I-Ching Hexagram 25 – Innocence [The Unexpected]
I-Ching Hexagram 26 – The Taming Power of Great
I-Ching Hexagram 27 – The Corners of the Mouth [Providing Nourishment]
I-Ching Hexagram 28 – Preponderance of the Great

I-Ching Hexagram 29 – The Abysmal
I-Ching Hexagram 30 – The Clinging, Fire
I-Ching Hexagram 31 – Influence [Wooing]
I-Ching Hexagram 32 – Duration

I-Ching Hexagram 33 – Retreat
I-Ching Hexagram 34 – The Power of the Great
I-Ching Hexagram 35 – Progress
I-Ching Hexagram 36 – Darkening of the Light

I-Ching Hexagram 37 – The Family [The Clan]
I-Ching Hexagram 38 – Opposition
I-Ching Hexagram 39 – Obstruction
I-Ching Hexagram 40 – Deliverance

I-Ching Hexagram 41 – Decrease
I-Ching Hexagram 42 – Increase
I-Ching Hexagram 43 – Break-through [Resoluteness]
I-Ching Hexagram 44 – Coming to Meet

I-Ching Hexagram 45 – Gathering Together [Massing]
I-Ching Hexagram 46 – Pushing Upwards
I-Ching Hexagram 47 – Oppression [Exhaustion]
I-Ching Hexagram 48 – The Well

I-Ching Hexagram 49 – Revolution
I-Ching Hexagram 50 – The Caldron
I-Ching Hexagram 51 – The Arousing [Shock, Thunder]
I-Ching Hexagram 52 – Keeping Still, Mountain

I-Ching Hexagram 53 – Development [Gradual Progress]
I-Ching Hexagram 54 – The Marrying Maiden
I-Ching Hexagram 55 – Abundance [Fullness]
I-Ching Hexagram 56 – The Wanderer

I-Ching Hexagram 57 – The Gentle [Penetrating, Wind]
I-Ching Hexagram 58 – The Joyous, Lake
I-Ching Hexagram 59 – Dispersion [Dissolution]
I-Ching Hexagram 60 – Limitation

I-Ching Hexagram 61 – Inner Truth
I-Ching Hexagram 62 – Preponderance of the Small
I-Ching Hexagram 63 – After Completion
I-Ching Hexagram 64 – Before Completion

7 Responses to “TheAbysmal I-Ching & Tao”

  1. panjandrum Says:

    thank you.

  2. Meg Says:

    Wonder-full. I am curious to know why there are 64, in total. If I double the numbers starting with one, then we have 1,2,4,8,16,32,64, seven digits, corresponding to our septenary system, but that is all I can surmise. Do you have a theory you can share? In any event, I am very impressed with your work. Thank you.

  3. TheAbysmal Says:

    Each line has 2 options – either firm/yielding (also known as unbroken/broken or light/dark)

    So 1 line = 2 possibilities. The origins of the I-Ching was as an oracle, so 1 line probably began as meaning either “yes/no.” Later a second line was added, giving 4 possibilities, then a third giving 8. These 8 trigrams are the basis of the I Ching. One trigram was placed above the other, creating 64 combinations.

    So, the progression wasn’t 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 but rather 2, 4, 8, 64.

    The I Ching is about the change from one hexagram to another, moreso than the hexagrams themselves. So really, we’re looking at 64 x 64 = 4096 possible states of change (including the 64 cases where the hexagram doesn’t change).

    That’s my take on it anyway. Hope that isn’t too far off the mark, and is of some help.

  4. michael Says:

    As far as i know

    It was going like this.
    There where to options voor old seers yes or no.
    Then heaven and earth thats four, human animal makes six and then another one wich i cant remember.
    For a total of 8 answers or …… (only know the dutch word) and 8 times 8 is 64 so 64 hexagrams

  5. TheAbysmal Says:

    thank you Michael – where did you learn this? do you have a book title to share???

  6. kLick Says:

    Love your site. Been a regular visitor for 6 months now. Hexagram descriptions are wonderful.

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