Line Position Meanings in the Book of Changes : Acquiring a hexagram's spectrum

(Copyright © 2000-2006 C. J. Lofting)

Since the I Ching is supposed to reveal 'all there is', so it should be able to include itself in that revelation. Here we show how it does that and how we can extract the definition of a hexagram through the associations with all of the other hexagrams in the I Ching.

Note: This material was first covered in 2000. Recent work has re-focused upon it (2004). I have ordered the perspectives below where the 2004 perspective introduces a definite methodology in derivation of the expression of archetypes working THROUGH a context. The focus on small world networks and the development from YIN to YANG brings these perspectives back into focus. For the small world focus see http://www.austarmetro.com.au/~lofting/myweb/Vague.pdf, especially the section on history.

2000 Version:

In the Book of Changes we find that we can determine the basic characteristics of a line positions or group of line positions by setting a particular line in a position to yin and all others to yang and visa versa.

What this does is give us two semantic poles of a line position(s). For example, the base position in a hexagram is interpreted as a beginning, a start. When we take the hexagram structure and make all lines yin other than the base line we have hexagram 24. When we do this by making all lines yang other than the base line we get hexagram 44.

What this 'says' is that the base line is 'ruled' by a semantic influence found in the hexagram 44/24 pair. These hexagrams deal with transitions, 44 with persuasion, seduction and so an attraction to the 'dark' side (distractions caused by OTHERS), and 24 with SELF-distractions and an attraction to the 'light' side and a developing 'true' path.

The following lists all of the pairs related to specific line position(s) and group positions (i.e. top + 3rd line etc). This has nothing to do directly with changing line concepts.

The first pair on the list are of course the above, 44/24 where 44 manifests the base line position with a yin influence and 24 manifests the base line position with a yang influence.

Line(s) ---- yin influence ---- yang influence

01 ---- 44 ---- 24

02 ---- 13 ---- 07

03 ---- 10 ---- 15

04 ---- 09 ---- 16

05 ---- 14 ---- 08

06 ---- 43 ---- 23

Note how in the above the descriptions for lines 2 and 5 both cover concepts of leadership/supervision etc, 1 and 4 both deal with 'new' concepts/experiences or preparation and 3 and 6 deal with more spiritual experiences and a bias to 'perfection'. (which, BTW is seen in the TRIGRAM of mountain).

This simple methodology can be used for ALL line position combinations/permutations. For example, the basic influence on line positions 1 and 2 at the same time are:

yin influence = 33, yang influence = 19. One deals with withdrawl and the other with advance. Thus ALL hexagrams with yin lines for positions 1 and 2 will contain this withdrawl influence. All those with yang lines for positions 1 and 2 will contain a bias to advance.

Here are the line position combinations:

1 & 2

1 & 3

1 & 4

1 & 5

1 & 6

1 & 2 & 3

1 & 2 & 4

1 & 2 & 5

1 & 2 & 6

1 & 3 & 4

1 & 3 & 5

1 & 3 & 6

1 & 4 & 5

1 & 4 & 6

1 & 5 & 6

1 & 2 & 3 & 4

1 & 2 & 3 & 5

1 & 2 & 3 & 6

1 & 2 & 4 & 5

1 & 2 & 4 & 6

1 & 2 & 5 & 6

1 & 3 & 4 & 5

1 & 3 & 4 & 6

1 & 3 & 5 & 6

1 & 4 & 5 & 6

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 6

1 & 2 & 3 & 5 & 6

1 & 2 & 4 & 5 & 6

1 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6

1 & 2 & 3 & 4 & 5 & 6

2004 Version:

To detect the positive, explicit, qualities of line positions, just use hexagram 02 as the template, the container of POTENTIALS and make each line ‘yang’ and so derive an ACTUAL. For example, we have the top line as yang associated with 23 and reflecting the high priest, - mapping the top line, IN GENERAL, to the ‘sage’.

The fifth line as yang gives us hexagram 08 – the focus on unifying but in a ‘passive’ format – this is the action of the king in that people come to the court rather than the court going out to them.

The fourth line as yang give us hexagram 16 – the focus on being a planner, an ‘enthusiast’ for someone/something; as reflected in the actions of a minister ‘close to’ the king.

The third line as yang gives us hexagram 15 – the focus on the leveller, keeping things close to the words, no exaggerations, no highs, no lows, just the ‘facts’. Note here that, although we are being ‘modest’, we have the power to enforce modesty, the power to ‘level’, to ‘even things out’, and as such reflect line 3 as a position of some ‘authority’ ;-)

The second line gives us hexagram 07 – a focus on establishing uniformity (and so a link to 08 and line 5)

The first line gives us hexagram 24 – a focus on ‘coming back to’, and so ‘entering’ or ‘beginning’ a journey.

IOW, going through hexagram 02, where all is ‘passive’, and then exaggerating each line, gives you the general quality of that line throughout the IC.

Now doing the same through hex 01 gives the ‘other side’ of the coin re the line nature.

ALL of the hexagrams can be interpreted as representing the qualities of the line position combinations in 02 and 01 that can the be extended to each hexagram. IOW there are only TWO hexagrams, 01 and 02 – all of the rest serve as symbols to ‘exaggerate’ line position patterns and so map their ‘meaning’.

e.g. the line position of lines 1 and 6 of 02 are described by analogy to hex 27… which means that in ANY hexagram the 1-6 relationship is described by the 27-28 hexagrams interpreted THROUGH the particular hexagram you are focused upon.

So, 'formally', in the context of viewing things from 02 and 01, you cannot ‘see’ 02 in any other hexagram in that it has no yang lines. What this reflects is its template nature, all other hexagrams are expressions, actuals, where in 02 there are only potentials.

You can apply each hexagram to 02 and all you get is that hexagram. This reflects a property of prime numbers, all ‘reflected’ in themselves or 1 where 1 is the template and so reflects all.

If 02 gives us the archetypes – as in they need ‘filling’, they need colour to bring them out – thus the algorithm we are dealing with is:

ARCHETYPE => CONTEXT => EXPRESSION

Each of these is represented by a hexagram where the YANG lines in the archetype are those lines in the context that need to be ‘flipped’ to give the expression of that archetype in that context.

Details of Line Position Qualities in Hexagrams

Each line, or combination of, is a representation of, or a set of, qualities. The representation is created by the use of recursion of yin/yang to create a hexagram. Thus each line represents a quality extracted from powers of 2. Look at it as exponentiation reflecting the application of yin/yang to a moment, with each moment embedded in a context set by the previous.

Six lines of yin/yang reflect 2⁶ possible expressions, where 2⁶ = 64. In this building we move from general to particular, from worker to sage, or so the 'tradition' goes - this is but half the story if you include a focus on going 'down' once you are at the top.

The line POSITIONS form into representations of these 64 qualities - they reflect the SAME process in deriving the hexagrams as wholes, where pure potential is in 000000 and actualisation is in 'filling' the slots - and there are 63 possible ways to fill the slots of 000000, giving us in total 64 hexagrams. Zoom-in to a single hexagram and the SAME principle applies, there are 64 line positions to group (regardless of their content).

In the following, the line combination is followed by (a) the binary number of that line combination e.g. [24] , and (b) the 'controlling' hexagram of that combination e.g. (34). (c) a question used to elicit an answer given the controlling hexagram and this hexagram. In the hexagrams the 'Through' will be followed by the answer in the form of a hexagram serving as analogy/metaphor.

When we XOR the controlling hexagram with a particular hexagram as context, the one we are analysing, we get a description of the controlling-hexagram's expression THROUGH this hexagram - it is like genetics where the gene for eye colour, and so genotype, is expressed in a context (hexagram) as phenotype. What this allows us to do is see 'inside' a hexagram - what makes it 'tick' - just as our genetic code make us 'tick'.

The associations below are applied in each hexagram page linked off the alternative table page.

Line1 [01] (24) : How did this hexagram 'start', express 'beginning'?

Through

Line 2 [02] (07) : How does this hexagram express uniformity, establishment of?

Through

Lines 1&2 [03] (19) : How does this hexagram express approaching the 'high'; defer to the 'low'?

Through

Line 3 [04] (15) : How does this hexagram level things out, focus on fairness, express 'modesty'?

Through

Lines 1&3 [05] (36) : How does this hexagram protect its 'light'?

Through

Lines 2&3 [06] (46) : How does this hexagram become more entangled with something/someone?

Through

Lines 1&2&3 [07] (11) : How does this hexagram balance/harmonise, mediate?

Through

Line 4 [08] (16) : How does this hexagram express foresight/planning?

Through

Lines 1&4 [09] (51) : How does this hexagram express surprise, enlightenment, shock?

Through

Lines 2&4 [10] (40) : How does this hexagram express tension release through relaxing structure?

Through

Lines 1&2&4 [11] (54) : How does this hexagram expend early energy, imaturity?

Through

Lines 3&4 [12] (62) : How does this hexagram express overacting to establish unconditional loyalty?

Through

Lines 1&3&4 [13] (55) : How does this hexagram deal with abundance/overflowing?

Through

Lines 2&3&4 [14] (32) : How does this hexagram express commitment?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&4 [15] (34) : How does this hexagram actively invigorate others?

Through

Line 5 [16] (08) : How does this hexagram passively attract?

Through

Lines 1&5 [17] (03) : How does this hexagram 'sprout'?

Through

Lines 2&5 [18] (29) : How does this hexagram assert containment/control?

Through

Lines 1&2&5 [19] (60) : How does this hexagram standardise?

Through

Lines 3&5 [20] (39) : How does this hexagram obstruct, go against, stand up to, the flow?

Through

Lines 1&3&5 [21] (63) : How does this hexagram complete, 'get it right'?

Through

Lines 2&3&5 [22] (48) : Where does this hexagram get its nutrition, what sustains it, keeps it going?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&5 [23] (05) : How does this hexagram wait for opportunity to come?

Through

Lines 4&5 [24] (45) : How does this hexagram celebrate its 'faith'?

Through

Lines 1&4&5 [25] (17) : How does this hexagram find a faith? What is its faith?

Through

Lines 2&4&5 [26] (47) : How does this hexagram integrate with the context, be it by choice or otherwise?

Through

Lines 1&2&4&5 [27] (58) : How does this hexagram express itself intensely, self-reflect?

Through

Lines 3&4&5 [28] (31) : How does this hexagram 'woo', express restrained enticement ?

Through

Lines 1&3&4&5 [29] (49) : How does this hexagram reveal, unmask?

Through

Lines 2&3&4&5 [30] (28) : How does this hexagram express excess, go beyond what is required?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&4&5 [31] (43) : How does this hexagram 'seed', spread the word?

Through

Line 6 [32] (23) : How does this hexagram 'housekeep', clear chaff to bring out the wheat?

Through

Lines 1&6 [33] (27) : What is the basic, skelatal form of this hexagram, the clay used to structure it?

Through

Lines 2&6 [34] (04) : How does this hexagram learn social skills?

Through

Lines 1&2&6 [35] (41) : How does this hexagram achieve clarity, concentration, distillation?

Through

Lines 3&6 [36] (52) : How does this hexagram express blocking, discernment?

Through

Lines 1&3&6 [37] (22) : What does this hexagram look like, how does it present itself to the outside?

Through

Lines 2&3&6 [38] (18) : How does this hexagram correct corruption, express that correction?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&6 [39] (26) : How does this hexagram express 'holding firm' to traditions?

Through

Lines 4&6 [40] (35) : How does this hexagram bring something into the 'light'?

Through

Lines 1&4&6 [41] (21) : How does this hexagram resolve problems?

Through

Lines 2&4&6 [42] (64) : How does this hexagram remain 'open', mis-sequence?

Through

Lines 1&2&4&6 [43] (38) : How does this hexagram 'mirror', deal with opposition?

Through

Lines 3&4&6 [44] (56) : How does this hexagram demonstrate conditional loyalty; loyalty at a distance?

Through

Lines 1&3&4&6 [45] (30) : How does this hexagram express guidance/direction setting?

Through

Lines 2&3&4&6 [46] (50) : How does this hexagram express conversion of the raw to the cooked, transformation?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&4&6 [47] (14) : How does this hexagram manage from the centre?

Through

Lines 5&6 [48] (20) : How does this hexagram elicit admiration and so invigorate others passively?

Through

Lines 1&5&6 [49] (42) : How does this hexagram reflect augmentation?

Through

Lines 2&5&6 [50] (59) : How does this hexagram make things clear, dispell illusions?

Through

Lines 1&2&5&6 [51] (61) : How does this hexagram express empathy?

Through

Lines 3&5&6 [52] (53) : How does this hexagram express gradual development, maturity?

Through

Lines 1&3&5&6 [53] (37) : How does this hexagram reflect rigid structure as tension release?

Through

Lines 2&3&5&6 [54] (57) : How does this hexagram cultivate and become influencial?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&5&6 [55] (09) : How does this hexagram express making small gains to be noticed?

Through

Lines 4&5&6 [56] (12) : How does this hexagram neutralise attacks on its core beliefs?

Through

Lines 1&4&5&6 [57] (25) : How does this hexagram stand up to say its piece without considering consequences?

Through

Lines 2&4&5&6 [58] (06) : How does this hexagram compromise, meet half way?

Through

Lines 1&2&4&5&6 [59] (10) : How does this hexagram traverse a path carefully?

Through

Lines 3&4&5&6 [60] (33) : How does this hexagram draw-in its enemies, competitively entice?

Through

Lines 1&3&4&5&6 [61] (13) : How does this hexagram express association with the likeminded?

Through

Lines 2&3&4&5&6 [62] (44) : How does this hexagram persuade/seduce?

Through

Lines 1&2&3&4&5&6 [63] (01) : How does this hexagram express singlemindedness, competitiveness?

Through

The below pattern reflects the characteristics of hexagram 27, representing an archetype of structure that needs content, and so is the 'clay' from which a full hexagram is made, being expressed in each of the hexagrams. The focus here is on line POSITIONS that, when grouped, give us access to the expression of archetype X, represented in a hexagram, THROUGH a context described by hexagram Y.

You can consider this as a hexagram has a set of 'genes', all of the other hexagrams, and their expression through a particular hexagram can be distorted in the final expression. As such, hexagram A is the gene, the genotype, and hexagram B is the context or filter, then hexagram C is what is called the phenotype, the expression. Another analogy/metaphor is with music, where hexagram A is the note or chord, b is the KEY, and C is the expression.

Thus, below, the hexagram in the column of expression is interpreted as describing the underexaggerated qualities of the hexagram in the context column, where THROUGH that context is being expressed the hexagram in the archetype column. Here the archetype column is always 27 (100001).

So, to apply a hexagram taken as archetype to a hexagram taken as context, just 'flip' those lines in the context hexagram that correspond with the YANG lines in the archetype hexagram. Thus in the below example we flip lines 1 and 6.

For example, if we 'flip' lines 1 and 6 of 111111 we get 011110 - hexagram 28, where 28s general quality of excess is translated as 'too much yang' where that describes by analogy the mud/clay out of which hexagram 01 has 'emerged'.

I have ordered these in binary sequence down the context column, from 000000 to 111111 (1/0 ordering left-to-right = bottom-to-top)

archetype => context => expression

100001 => 000000 => 100001 (27=>02=>27)
100001 => 000001 => 100000 (27=>23=>24)
100001 => 000010 => 100011 (27=>08=>42)
100001 => 000011 => 100010 (27=>20=>03)
100001 => 000100 => 100101 (27=>16=>21)
100001 => 000101 => 100100 (27=>35=>51)
100001 => 000110 => 100111 (27=>35=>25)
100001 => 000111 => 100110 (27=>45=>17)

100001 => 001000 => 101001 (27=>15=>22)
100001 => 001001 => 101000 (27=>52=>36)
100001 => 001010 => 101011 (27=>39=>37)
100001 => 001011 => 101010 (27=>53=>63)
100001 => 001100 => 101101 (27=>62=>30)
100001 => 001101 => 101100 (27=>56=>55)
100001 => 001110 => 101111 (27=>31=>13)
100001 => 001111 => 101110 (27=>33=>49)

100001 => 010000 => 110001 (27=>07=>41)
100001 => 010001 => 110000 (27=>04=>19)
100001 => 010010 => 110011 (27=>29=>61)
100001 => 010011 => 110010 (27=>59=>60)
100001 => 010100 => 110101 (27=>40=>38)
100001 => 010101 => 110100 (27=>64=>54)
100001 => 010110 => 110111 (27=>47=>10)
100001 => 010111 => 110110 (27=>06=>38)

100001 => 011000 => 111001 (27=>46=>26)
100001 => 011001 => 111000 (27=>18=>11)
100001 => 011010 => 111011 (27=>48=>09)
100001 => 011011 => 111010 (27=>57=>05)
100001 => 011100 => 111101 (27=>32=>14)
100001 => 011101 => 111100 (27=>50=>34)
100001 => 011110 => 111111 (27=>28=>01)
100001 => 011111 => 111110 (27=>44=>43)

100001 => 100000 => 000001 (27=>24=>23)
100001 => 100001 => 000000 (27=>27=>02)
100001 => 100010 => 000011 (27=>03=>20)
100001 => 100011 => 000010 (27=>42=>08)
100001 => 100100 => 000101 (27=>51=>35)
100001 => 100101 => 000100 (27=>21=>16)
100001 => 100110 => 000111 (27=>17=>12)
100001 => 100111 => 000110 (27=>25=>45)

100001 => 101000 => 001001 (27=>36=>52)
100001 => 101001 => 001000 (27=>22=>15)
100001 => 101010 => 001011 (27=>63=>53)
100001 => 101011 => 001010 (27=>37=>39)
100001 => 101100 => 001101 (27=>55=>56)
100001 => 101101 => 001100 (27=>30=>62)
100001 => 101110 => 001111 (27=>49=>33)
100001 => 101111 => 001110 (27=>13=>31)

100001 => 110000 => 010001 (27=>19=>04)
100001 => 110001 => 010000 (27=>41=>07)
100001 => 110010 => 010011 (27=>60=>59)
100001 => 110011 => 010010 (27=>61=>29)
100001 => 110100 => 010101 (27=>54=>64)
100001 => 110101 => 010100 (27=>38=>40)
100001 => 110110 => 010111 (27=>58=>06)
100001 => 110111 => 010110 (27=>10=>47)

100001 => 111000 => 011001 (27=>11=>18)
100001 => 111001 => 011000 (27=>26=>46)
100001 => 111010 => 011011 (27=>05=>57)
100001 => 111011 => 011010 (27=>09=>48)
100001 => 111100 => 011101 (27=>34=>50)
100001 => 111101 => 011100 (27=>14=>32)
100001 => 111110 => 011111 (27=>43=>44)
100001 => 111111 => 011110 (27=>01=>28)