The Mystic Gateway
T A O I C H I N G
What are the trigrams ?
The eight trigrams which make-up the hexagrams of the I Ching.
The trigrams are Ancient Chinese 3 Line symbols made-up of YANG and YIN energy symbol/Lines ( as whole or broken Lines). There are eight possible 3 Line combinations, so there are eight trigrams. Each trigram has a title and meaning, direction, position, and force. In the I Ching, a hexagram is made-up of two trigrams – one sitting on top of another to form each of the 64 hexagrams.
By placing any trigram on top of any other trigram the 64 hexagrams are formed.
There are a further two trigrams inside the hexagram [Lines 2,3,4, and Lines 3,4,5]. The trigrams form the basis of Chinese disciplines such as Feng Shui, Tai Chi, Geomancy, Chinese and Taoist philosophy, and Chinese medicine. The trigrams indicate the energy in a place, situation, or person, which tends to be flowing and dynamic in nature. The trigrams will show the whole range of mental and physical movement and action, usually as a 'speed' (force) or direction.
In the TAO I CHING the secret of the effectiveness of the system is the clear and precise interpretation and use of the trigrams. The two main trigrams (above and below) give you all the information you need, without the complication of four, sometimes conflicting, trigrams deeper within the hexagram, or the interpretation on each Line, which may or may not agree with the hexagram answer. The top trigram will reveal how you think, and what you really want. The bottom trigram will show your actions and behaviour, in your attempts to get what you want. Rather than simply a prediction of your possible future, the I Ching becomes a tool for personal development and spiritual awareness.
" You can improve your life
when you know it's possible."
TAO I CHING.COM
tomleworthy@talktalk.net
TAO I CHING Tom Leworthy 2005
