Interpreting the I Ching
Table of Contents
The Meaning of the Kua
The meaning of each kua is generally derived from the attributes
of the two trigrams from which it is formed. For example, the
meaning of kua 11, Tai , is Peaceful Prosperity And Harmony. It
is comprised of the trigram of Ch'ien, which represents heaven,
and K'un, which represents earth. Earth is over heaven. The
tendency of earth is to sink, and the tendency of heaven is to
rise; therefore, the two come together bringing about a time of
"heaven on earth" or Peaceful Prosperity and Harmony.
Sometimes the names and the meanings of the kua are taken from
what the six line figure looks like, as in the kua of Ting, the
cauldron, which resembles a big pot. 
The
divided bottom line represents the legs; the next three solid
lines represent the belly of the pot; the next divided line, the
rings or handles by which the cauldron is carried; and the top
solid line, the lid.
Some of the kua take their meaning from the action of the lines,
as in that of kua number 43, Kuai, which means Overthrow Of Evil.
Each of the five lower undivided lines represents a strong and
virtuous person who has banded with the others to move upward to
overthrow the top line, which, being divided, represents a dark
force or an evil person.
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Doubling Of The
Trigrams
There are eight instances when a trigram doubles to form a kua.
The name of the kua in each instance is the same as that of the
trigram that was doubled. The meaning of the kua in those
instances is intensified. You are to pay extra heed to the
guidance given or the situation depicted. For instance, in kua
29, K'an, which depicts the element of danger, the danger is
extreme, coming from inside the situation and outside the
situation.
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Inner And Outer
Trigrams
The upper trigram is said to be the outer trigram, the lower
trigram is said to be the inner trigram.
An example of how the inner and outer trigrams give meaning to
the kua can be seen in kua 15, Ch'ien, Modesty. The lower trigram
is that of Ken, symbolized by a mountain, the upper trigram is
that of K'un, symbolized by the earth; therefore, a mountain
hidden within the earth the image of modesty. Another example is
that of K'an, danger. When the trigram of K'an is the lower
trigram, the danger exists within the situation. When the trigram
K'an is the upper trigram, the danger is coming from outside the
situation.
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Nuclear Trigrams
Within each kua there are two nuclear trigrams. They are called
nuclear trigrams because they are made up of the middle four
lines of the kua: lines 2, 3, 4, and 5. The nuclear trigrams
influence the meaning of the individual lines more than they
influence the overall meaning of the kua. The lower nuclear
trigram is formed from lines 2, 3, and 4; the upper nuclear
trigram is formed from lines 3, 4, and 5.
- The bottom and top lines of the kua, lines 1 and 6, are
not affected by the nuclear trigrams because they are not
part of either of them.
- Line 2 of the kua is part of two trigrams: the lower
primary trigram, of which it is the center line, and the
lower nuclear trigram, of which it is the bottom line.
- Line 3 is part of three trigrams: the lower primary
trigram, of which it is the top line, the lower nuclear
trigram, of which it is the center line, and the upper
nuclear trigram, of which it is the bottom line.
- Line 4 is also part of three trigrams: the lower nuclear
trigram, of which it is the top line, the upper nuclear
trigram, of which it is the middle line, and the upper
primary trigram, of which it is the bottom line.
- Line 5 of the kua, like line 2, is part of two trigrams:
the upper nuclear trigram, of which it forms the top
line, and the upper primary trigram, of which it forms
the middle line.
If a particular line has meaning for you, that is, it is a
moving line, and the line is either number 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the
kua, then the line will be subtly influenced by the nuclear
trigram or trigrams of which it is a part. What the specific
influence is will be determined by the nature of the nuclear
trigram itself. For instance, if the nuclear trigram is danger,
there will be a hint of danger in the situation, and the counsel
of the moving line may add a word of caution.
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A Few Suggestions
Until you have grown accustomed to relying on the I Ching, it may
be difficult for you to approach it with any great degree of
determination to follow its counsel. When you have learned
through experience to trust in its guidance, you will have
discovered a rare treasure indeed, and you will be able to act
confidently upon its counsel.
It will be rewarding to a remarkable degree if you set aside some
time on your birthdays to ask, "What can I expect from this
birthday year?" Or, "What do I have to pay attention to
in order to have the most productive birthday year?"
Similarly, on the first day of the new year, "What does the
new year hold in store for me?" Or, "What can I do to
have the most productive new year?" Married couples on their
anniversary can ask, "What can we do to strengthen our
marriage this year?" Each of the partners should also
inquire individually because each one may need improvement in a
different area.
Other good questions can be asked regarding health, financial
matters, social situations, business decisions, trips,
undertakings of any kind, philosophical questions, and questions
about people, events, and conditions. The questions can be about
the past, the present or the future. Using the I Ching will
enable you to see into the heart of every matter, but information
that would cause you harm or would cause you to act in a way that
would not be in your best interest will be withheld. Good
questions are those that will help you to improve yourself.
"What can I do to improve myself?" "Why am I
unhappy?" "Why can't I get ahead?" Or better yet,
"What can I do to improve myself so I can get ahead?"
The questions are endless, the answers are perfect, and
everything is formulated so that you can accomplish your mission
on earth to perfect yourself as a divine being.
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Note: This page contains material from the web-site, About the I
Ching (copyright, Power Press). It has been copied to the
present location because of transmission problems of the original
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