The 64 I Ching Hexagrams
Each hexagram lists its two trigrams, the original Chinese judgment, and a plain-English summary. Open one for detail, or cast a hexagram.
1The Creative乾为天Pure yang, utmost strength: great success by holding to what is right — timing and power are present, but avoid overreaching.2Breakthrough泽天夬Resolutely removing trouble: cut when you must, but do it openly and rightly.3Great Possession火天大有Great gains: a sign of abundant harvest — stay humble to hold what you have.4Great Power雷天大壮Strong momentum: the greater the power, the more you must keep to what is right; don't rely on force.5Small Taming风天小畜Small accumulation: strength is not yet enough — conserve and build up energy.6Waiting水天需Waiting is needed: wait with sincerity, and when the time comes you can cross the great river.7Great Taming山天大畜Great nurturing: store up richly, then go out and put it to use.8Peace地天泰Heaven and earth interact: communication flows freely — a time of great harmony.9Treading天泽履Treading on the tiger's tail: acting with care lets you pass safely through danger.10The Joyous Lake兑为泽A sign of joy: lead people with gladness, but joy must have principle.11Opposition火泽睽Divergence and discord: seek common ground while keeping differences — fit for small matters, not big moves.12The Marrying Maiden雷泽归妹A sign of rushing for results: the standing and timing are off — slow down.13Inner Truth风泽中孚Inmost sincerity: sincerity so deep it moves even fish and pigs — you can undertake great things.14Limitation水泽节Measured restraint: save where you should and spend where you should; over-tightening harms.15Decrease山泽损Decrease first, then gain: what you give out returns in another form.16Approach地泽临Approaching from above: smooth for now, but guard against decline after the peak.17Fellowship天火同人Like-minded with others: open alliance can accomplish great things.18Revolution泽火革A time of change: change when the time is ripe, with a just and clear name.19The Clinging Fire离为火Depending on light: see clearly what you rely on; being yielding is auspicious.20Abundance雷火丰Abundance at its peak: a high moment — all the more, guard against decline after the peak.21The Family风火家人The way of ordering the home: settle the inside and family first, and outside affairs follow.22After Completion水火既济Already across: after success, guard all the more — prevent a good start turning to disorder.23Grace山火贲The beauty of adornment: packaging helps but only so far — the core matters more.24Darkening of the Light地火明夷The light is wounded: in a dark period, hide your edge and keep low.25Innocence天雷无妄Acting without recklessness brings good fortune: keep to your role and do not speculate.26Following泽雷随Following the times: follow the right people and trends, stay flexible rather than rigid.27Biting Through火雷噬嗑Biting through obstacles: decisively clear blockages and keep right and wrong distinct.28The Arousing Thunder震为雷Shock that wakes you: alarm but no real harm — use the shock for self-reflection.29Increase风雷益A time of benefit: ride the momentum upward — benefiting others benefits yourself.30Difficulty at the Beginning水雷屯Everything is hard at the start: put down roots and build structure; do not rush off on distant ventures.31Nourishment山雷颐The way of nourishment: mind what you take in and be self-reliant.32Return地雷复One yang returns: a turning point appears; return to your place at your own pace.33Coming to Meet天风姤An unexpected encounter: beware seemingly accidental temptation and infiltration.34Great Exceeding泽风大过An extraordinary time: the load has reached its limit — extraordinary measures are needed.35The Cauldron火风鼎A sign of renewal: establish the new and carry it with steady weight.36Duration雷风恒The way of endurance: keep to the constant without corrupting it — a long, steady flow.37The Gentle Wind巽为风Humble penetration: enter with softness, and repeat and clarify the message.38The Well水风井The well nourishes without end: keep your fundamental base and maintain the infrastructure.39Work on the Decayed山风蛊Repairing accumulated ills: tackle the mess actively, and be careful both before and after.40Pushing Upward地风升Rising step by step: ascend with the momentum and actively call on those who can help.41Conflict天水讼A sign of dispute: stopping at the right point is auspicious; fighting to the bitter end brings misfortune.42Oppression泽水困A time of being trapped: hold your bottom line and dignity; too many words bring loss.43Before Completion火水未济Not yet across: one last step remains — the closer to the end, the more careful.44Deliverance雷水解The impasse resolves: settle old matters quickly and be lenient with others.45Dispersion风水涣Scattering then regathering: use a shared goal to draw hearts back together.46The Abysmal Water坎为水In repeated danger: hold to inner sincerity, and action bears merit.47Youthful Folly山水蒙Ignorance awaiting guidance: seek teaching and learn first; sincerity brings a response.48The Army地水师Mobilizing the masses: you need a seasoned, steady commander and a just cause.49Retreat天山遁Timely withdrawal: avoid the sharp edge; retreat is a way to preserve.50Influence泽山咸Mutual attraction: sincere resonance and attraction — good to advance.51The Wanderer火山旅Traveling abroad: you are in a guest's position — stay low and yielding for good fortune.52Small Exceeding雷山小过A small overstepping: fit for small, detailed matters, not for flying high or venturing big.53Development风山渐Gradual progress: step by step, things ripen in their own time.54Obstruction水山蹇The road ahead is blocked: detour and seek help; forcing through is unfavorable.55Keeping Still艮为山Stop when it is time to stop: still the desires and calm the spirit; don't be led by the outside.56Modesty地山谦The modest benefit: lowering your posture actually brings things to a good end.57Standstill天地否Heaven and earth do not interact: a time of blockage — draw back and guard yourself.58Gathering Together泽地萃Gathering and converging: a sign of drawing together people and resources — gather with preparation.59Progress火地晋Like the rising sun: a sign of promotion and advance — move forward openly and rightly.60Enthusiasm雷地豫Moving with the momentum: with preparation, all goes joyfully and smoothly.61Contemplation风地观Observing quietly: see clearly before acting, and lead by example.62Holding Together水地比Alliance and attachment: choose the right backing and partners; sooner is better than later.63Splitting Apart山地剥A time of stripping away: the tide is receding — better to stop than to advance.64The Receptive坤为地Great capacity through yielding: support matters with softness and follow rather than lead, and things go very smoothly.
Summaries are 1518's plain-English glosses of each hexagram, not a canonical translation. Chinese source: 六十四卦.