Trigram Lines

The essential meaning comes from whether a line is odd or even.

A solid line represents odd because it cannot be divided.

A broken line represent even because it can be divided.

The solid line is male and strong. The broken line in female and receptive.

The female can duplicate or have a baby and then take care of it.

Solid (Odd) lines are light, creative, and firm.  Even lines are dark, receptive and yielding.

There are three lines in a trigram and they stand in odd or even places.

The first place at the bottom is 1 and odd. The second place in the middle is 2 and even. The third place at the top is 3 and odd.

There are further special implications for each line.

The first place represent what is below.

The third place represents what is above.

The second place represents what is in between.

What is beneath us, in the first place, is either firm or yielding. We stand securely or insecurely accordingly.

What is above us, in the third place, is either light  or dark. We can see clearly when it is light out but not when it is dark out.

What is in between in the second place is either active of passive. We are active or we are passive, resting or sleeping.

Here the foundation or ground is firm and the person is passive and it is dark out.

Here the foundation or ground is firm and the person is passive and it is light out.

Here the foundation or ground is firm and the person is active and it is dark out.

Here the foundation or ground is firm and the person is active and it is light out.

Here the foundation or ground is yielding and the person is active and it is light out.

Here the foundation or ground is yielding and the person is active and it is dark out.

Here the foundation or ground is yielding and the person is passive and it is light out.

Here the foundation or ground is yielding and the person is passive and it is dark out.

TRIGRAM RELATIONSHIPS

The trigrams are put one above the other to make a hexagram.

There are 64 possible hexagrams.

The relationships of the trigrams to each other, one above and one below, adds further insight into the meaning of the hexagram.

There are several trigram and line relationships within each hexagram.

This increasing the implications and nature of the relationship.

A family of a father, mother, three sons and three daughters would represent a family that contains all of the possible trigram relationships.

The primary distinction is Above and Below. There is an upper trigram and a lower trigram.

The lower trigram has two odd places and one even place.

The upper trigram has two even and one odd place.

It is appropriate when a solid line is in an odd place, but inappropriate when it is in an even place.

It is appropriate when a broken line is in an even place, but inappropriate when it is in an odd place.

Both the upper and lower trigrams maintain a line above and a line below and a line  in between. Which can help with the interpretation.

Within a hexagram the lines can be considered as doubled.

This means there are two lines for below and four combinations.

There are two lines for in between and four combinations.

There are two lines for above and four combinations.

This is another means of perceiving the meaning within a hexagram and within a trigram relationship.

The line within each trigram can contribute uniqueness to the above, in between and below of the double line trigram (hexagram).

There is a deeper relationship within each hexagram. It is called a nuclear hexagram. It represents an internal theme within the main upper and lower trigram relationship. It iis formed by not considering the top and bottom lines.

The second, third and fourth line will create the lower nuclear trigram.

The third, fourth and fifth lines will create the upper nuclear trigram.

These two nuclear trigrams can create one of sixteen hexagrams which stand as an inner theme within the main hexagram.

There is another factor that is used and it is called the factor of correspondence.

When the bottom line in the upper and lower trigrams are different, one is solid and one broken, there is said to be a special harmonious relationship between these two lines.

When the middle line in the upper and lower trigrams are different, one is solid and one broken, there is said to be a special harmonious relationship between these two lines.

When the top line in the upper and lower trigrams are different, one is solid and one broken, there is said to be a special harmonious relationship between these two lines.

Place considerations:

Aside from the odd or even factors, sometimes the numbered places are referred to as steps of development in the theme of the hexagram.

Lines are considered to hold together when a solid and broken line are beside each other.

Traditionally it was considered that only a lower line would hold together with an upper line, but the reverse could also be considered in today’s world, that is an upper line can hold together with a lower line.

Upper and Lower Trigram considerations:

The upper trigram is often given seniority because of its elevated position. It is often considered to be the  husband,  the king or the one in authority.

The lower trigram is often referred to as the wife, the prince, or the worker.

Over time many different symbols, animals and associations have added to the trigrams and have worked their way into the hexagram interpretations.