The initiation into the Book of Changes, or Zhouyi, commences with understanding the hexagrams. The Taiji gives birth to the two polar forces, which in turn generate the four phenomena, and these give rise to the eight trigrams. These principles are elemental and fundamental. The Taiji denotes the cosmos, where the interplay of Yin and Yang is pivotal, encapsulating the profound notion that “solitude in Yin breeds stagnation, isolation in Yang fosters decay,” illustrating the essence of “where there’s form, there’s opposition; opposition engenders transformation,” signifying a symbiotic relationship of specialization and collaboration.
The Qian hexagram embodies the masculine principle, symbolizing the heavens, while its counterpart, the Kun hexagram, embodies the feminine principle, symbolizing the earth. They stand in opposition, each with its distinct mode of operation. Just as the heavens represent “unceasing self-improvement,” and the earth embodies “nurturing all beings,” their interplay constitutes the universe, delineating a division of labor, cooperative synergy, and the genesis of all things—a concept contemporarily expressed as dialectical unity. Similarly, while the Kan hexagram symbolizes water and the Li hexagram symbolizes fire, their seeming incongruity harmonizes to shape the current way of life, epitomizing the world’s symbiotic generation and inhibition, oppositional unity, interactive complementarity, ultimately achieving equilibrium—the quintessence of Chinese philosophy, the Taiji, where Yin and Yang harmonize, and balance reigns supreme.
The combination of the Qian and Kun hexagrams, their mutual inversion—Qian below, Kun above, and Kun below, Qian above—encapsulates profound philosophical insights. Qian represents heaven, Kun represents earth; Qian embodies the Yang, Kun embodies the Yin. Which hexagram, “heaven above, earth below,” or “earth above, heaven below,” is superior? Conventional wisdom might dictate heaven above and earth below, yet in philosophical terms, such notions are not unequivocal. The configuration of the sky above and the earth below in the context of the Hexagram of Stagnation signifies a state of disconnection and non-interaction. When the heavens and the earth diverge, it denotes a dangerous and almost collapsing state, where nothing thrives. Therefore, in the sixty-four hexagrams, this is considered an ominous hexagram. Conversely, when the heavens are below and the earth is above, it represents the Hexagram of Greatness. For instance, the combination of the Kan hexagram with the Li hexagram, with Kan above and Li below, forms the hexagram of Completion. Conversely, if the positions are reversed, it becomes the hexagram of Incompletion, signifying lack of success. Thus, the Book of Changes emphasizes the harmonious combination of yin and yang, avoiding imbalance and conflict. The Book of Changes illustrates profound principles through hexagrams, and the transformation process therein tests one’s wisdom.
The eight trigrams, Qian, Kun, Zhen, Gen, Li, Kan, Dui, Xun, respectively symbolize heaven, earth, thunder, mountain, fire, water, marsh, wind, representing eight substances in nature, thus symbolizing the world. Nowadays, Chinese people often say “the four elements are all empty,” which actually comes from India. In Indian Buddhism, when the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind are all empty, it means the world ceases to exist. Chinese tradition, on the other hand, talks about the “eight greats,” within which there are various connections, forming a kinship family – the “six offspring of Qian and Kun.” Qian represents the father, Kun the mother, with three sons and three daughters. The entire universe, the world, is thus seen as the “six offspring of Qian and Kun.” The Qian and Kun represent the leaders of myriad yang and myriad yin respectively. The trigrams of Zhen, Gen, and Kan are the three sons, while Li, Dui, and Xun are the three daughters. Through the interplay of yin and yang, in a constant and harmonious combination, the equilibrium of yin and yang is maintained. As the saying goes, “When yin and yang unite, life emerges; when yin and yang separate, demise follows; when yin and yang intermingle, transformation occurs; when yin and yang are balanced, constancy prevails.”
Just as mastering various chess strategies and developing one’s own strategic thinking is essential in the game of chess, comprehending the wisdom within the Book of Changes entails studying the sixty-four hexagrams. This is indispensable for beginners seeking to grasp the essence of the Book of Changes.
