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Meaning and Context
The Eight Trigrams (Bagua) are fundamental symbols in Chinese philosophy, each composed of three horizontal lines that are either solid (Yang, —) or broken (Yin, – –). They represent the basic forces and phenomena of nature and human experience.
- ☰ Qian (乾): Heaven, Creative — pure Yang, father, strength, leadership
- ☷ Kun (坤): Earth, Receptive — pure Yin, mother, nurturing, support
- ☳ Zhen (震): Thunder, Arousing — movement, initiative, eldest son
- ☴ Xun (巽): Wind/Wood, Gentle — penetration, flexibility, eldest daughter
- ☵ Kan (坎): Water, Abysmal — danger, depth, middle son
- ☲ Li (离): Fire, Clinging — clarity, intelligence, middle daughter
- ☶ Gen (艮): Mountain, Keeping Still — stillness, meditation, youngest son
- ☱ Dui (兑): Lake, Joyous — joy, communication, youngest daughter
Classical Roots
The Shuo Gua (说卦传) appendix of the I Ching explains the symbolism and relationships of the trigrams.
From Shuo Gua Zhuan
「乾，天也，故称乎父。坤，地也，故称乎母。」
Plain interpretation
"Qian is Heaven, thus called Father. Kun is Earth, thus called Mother." The trigrams are not just abstract symbols but represent cosmic forces that generate all phenomena.
Structure and Arrangements
There are two main arrangements of the trigrams:
- Earlier Heaven (先天八卦, Fuxi): Shows the ideal, cosmic order — used in some Feng Shui applications
- Later Heaven (后天八卦, King Wen): Shows the dynamic, manifested world — used in most practical applications
- Each arrangement assigns trigrams to compass directions and correlates them with seasons, colors, and body parts
When two trigrams stack (lower + upper), they form one of 64 hexagrams. The lower trigram represents inner/earth aspects; the upper represents outer/heaven aspects.
How to Read It
Understanding trigrams in divination:
- Identify the trigram by its three-line pattern
- Note its basic nature (element, family member, body part, direction)
- In hexagrams: Lower trigram = internal situation; Upper trigram = external influence
- Consider the relationship between the two trigrams in a hexagram
Key associations
Each trigram has multiple layers of meaning: natural element (fire, water, etc.), family role (father, mother, sons, daughters), body part, direction, animal, and abstract quality.
How It Shows Up in FateFolio
In FateFolio's I Ching tool:
- Hexagrams display both upper and lower trigrams
- Trigram names and basic meanings shown alongside hexagrams
- The relationship between trigrams informs interpretation
- Trigram symbols (☰ ☷ etc.) displayed for visual reference
Common Misconceptions
Common misunderstandings about trigrams:
- Confusing Earlier Heaven and Later Heaven arrangements
- Taking trigram meanings too literally (e.g., Kan always means physical water)
- Ignoring the context of how trigrams interact within a hexagram
- Conflating trigrams with zodiac signs—they are different systems
Sources and Quotes
All quotes are linked to accessible sources. Classical text translations may vary by edition.
Quoted excerpts
「乾，天也，故称乎父。坤，地也，故称乎母。」
Source： 《易经·说卦传》原文（中国哲学书电子化计划 CText）· 八卦各有象征意义，乾为天、为父，坤为地、为母，形成万物生成的基本框架。
References
- 《易经·说卦传》原文（中国哲学书电子化计划 CText） · Chinese Text Project
- Yijing (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
FAQ
What is the difference between a trigram and a hexagram?
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A trigram has three lines; a hexagram has six. Every hexagram is made of two trigrams stacked: a lower (inner) trigram and an upper (outer) trigram. The 8 trigrams combine to create 64 hexagrams (8 × 8 = 64).
Why are there two arrangements of the trigrams?
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The Earlier Heaven (Fuxi) arrangement represents the ideal cosmic order before manifestation. The Later Heaven (King Wen) arrangement represents the dynamic world after manifestation. Different applications use different arrangements—Later Heaven is more common in practical divination and Feng Shui.
How do trigrams relate to Feng Shui?
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In Feng Shui, trigrams are mapped to the eight directions of the compass (the Bagua). Each sector of a space corresponds to a trigram and its associated life areas (career, relationships, wealth, etc.). The Later Heaven arrangement is typically used for spatial analysis.