CHAPTER 7 Analysis of Structure of Hexagrams
4 HEXAGRAMS :3 AND 3:
Hexagram 4:3, Gain, combines Trigram 4, hunder, with Trigram 3, Wind. It is favorable because, as the ancients experienced it, its harmony stems from the initiation of the subject, hunder, heralding the begin-ning of the storm and causing the wind to blow.
Figure 7.8: Hexagram 4:3, Gain
he last of the special hexagrams is Hexagram 3:4, Persistence, where Wind cannot have an efect on the hunder no matter how long or hard it blows:
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Figure 7.9: Hexagram 3:4, Persistence
Hexagram 3:4, alone among the eight special hexagrams, can be con-sidered neutral, neither favorable nor unfavorable, as suggested by its title “Persistence.” Sometimes persistence is futile and wasteful; at other times it can be admirable and wise.
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Complementary LinesOf the eight hexagrams discussed above, half are clearly favorable be-cause they are in harmony. he other half are unfavorable or neutral because they are not in harmony, though their component trigrams are complementary. he neutrality of most of the sixty-four hexagrams is illustrated by their titles listed in Chapter 5.
As you work with I Ching, you will come to appreciate the rich inter-play between the numerical values of trigrams and hexagrams, and the symbolic relationships of the elements they represent -- for instance, Fire and Mountain or Wind and Earth. While the eight special hexa-grams have symbolic interactions that are easy to spot due to their ob-vious complementary nature, the other ity-six hexagrams require a line-by-line analysis.
As you study the lines of a hexagram to determine its harmony, you will consider the situations of the lines in the hexagram as complemen-tary lines
If the two corresponding lines of the two component trigrams are yin with yang, or yang with yin, they are complementary; if the correspond-ing lines are both yin lines or both yang lines, they are in conlict with
each other. Usually, complementary lines are favorable. In the diagram below, brackets indicate the complementary lines for the eight special hexagrams discussed above.
Figure 7.10: The Complementary Lines
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Correctness of PositionsIn a hexagram, the positions of lines 1, 3, and 5 are considered to be yang positions, and lines 2, 4, and 6 are the yin positions. If a yang line ( ) is in a yang position or a yin line ( ) is in a yin position, that line is correctly positioned. But if a yang line ( ) is in a yin position or a yin line ( ) is in a yang position, that line is incorrectly positioned.
Since Hexagram 5:2, shown below, demonstrates perfect harmony, it is used as a template for the correct position of lines.
Figure 7.11: The correct position of lines
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By contrast, in Hexagram 2:5 all the lines are incorrect, as shown be-low in gray.
Figure 7.12: All the lines are incorrect
Normally the correct lines, which I indicate in black from this point forward for your ease of recognition, are favorable. he incorrect lines, in gray, are unfavorable.
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The Central Lines Correct and ComplementaryLines 2 and 5 are the middle lines of each of the trigrams that make up a hexagram. When the central lines are correct and complementary, such as yin 2 ( ) and yang 5 ( ) of Hexagram 5:2, , it is very favorable.
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Supporting or Suppressinghe relationship between a particular line and its adjacent lines, directly above and below, is important for you to know. In general, when a yin line and a yang line are together, the situation favors the side represented by the yang line and does not favor the side represented by the yin line.
So if a yang line ( ) is above a yin line ( ), the yang line ( ) is supported by the yin line ( ), as shown on the let of the following igure. his deinitely favors the yang line and may or may not be good
for the yin line.
Figure 7.13: Adjacent lines
When a yin line ( ) is above a yang line ( ), the yin line ( ) is suppressing the yang line ( ). his is not especially favorable or unfa-vorable for the yang line, but it is deinitely unfaunfa-vorable for the yin line.
When looking at the relationships between yin and yang lines in a hexagram, this analogy might prove helpful: hink about the relative positions in a group of coworkers. If a manager has strong business experience and the assistant is less knowledgeable, then the manager oversees and protects the assistant. his support relationship is like a yin line under a yang line.
We easily comprehend how the support relationship beneits the man-ager, but its efect on the assistant depends on how the assistant behaves.
If the assistant follows instructions and works hard, the reward could be a bonus or promotion. he incompetent assistant of a powerful manager could just as easily be disciplined or ired, however. So which will it be?
I Ching resolves this dilemma by determining whether the supporting yin line is in a correct or incorrect position: If correct, the situation is favorable for the yin line; if incorrect, the situation is unfavorable.
Anyone who has spent time in the business world has also witnessed a suppressing relationship -- when the manager is less competent than the staf. Even when the staf is very capable, the manager will still fail.
A suppressing relationship, when a yin line is above a yang line. his relationship is unfavorable to the yin line.
What about the yang staf being suppressed by the weak manager?
hese workers’ position is neutral. he company may ire the manager, but the competent yang staf will survive the change. In other words,
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when a yang line is under a yin line, the situation is neither favorable nor unfavorable to the yang line. When yin gets in the way of yang, yang is able to persevere.
Now that you know how to analyze the positions of lines as they relate to each other within a hexagram, you are ready to resolve the questions posed by Cathy in relation to George.
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Analysis of hexagrams for RelationshipYou’ll remember that the relationship between Cathy and George, from her point of view, was described by Hexagram 4:7, Innocence:
Figure 7.14: From Cathy’s view
When you look at the general structure of this hexagram, you’ll no-tice two pairs of complementary lines -- the top lines of each trigram and the middle line of each trigram are complementary. here are also three correct lines: yang 1 ( ), yin 2 ( ), and yang 5 ( ). he two middle lines are central, correct, and complementary. hese are favor-able to the subject, Cathy.
On the other hand, the two bottom lines, both yang, conlict with each other, and there are three incorrect lines, yin 3 ( ), yang 4 ( ), and yang 6 ( ). hese are unfavorable to Cathy.
Can you see that this potential oice lirtation is a complicated mixture of harmony and discord, a far cry from the clear-cut special hexagrams discussed at the beginning of this chapter?
Now look line by line at Hexagram 4:7. Yang 1 is a correct line,
imply-ing that when Cathy approaches George as a young employee seekimply-ing help from him, she is right to do so. But this line conlicts with George’s action line, yang 4 ( ), implying if Cathy acts too aggressively, prob-lems could result.
Yin 2 ( ) indicates Cathy’s essential inexperience. It is central, in a correct position and complementary to yang 5. his suggests that George’s relative power and knowledge can be helpful to her. Notice, however, that this line suppresses yang 1 ( ), implying that if she acts too aggressively, it could damage her essence.
Yin 3 ( ) is complementary to yang 6 ( ) but incorrect in position, implying that Cathy’s attitude to George should be polite and respectful but not overly submissive. Already Cathy can see that she must strike a delicate balance, approaching George without too much assertiveness or too much deference.
In George’s trigram, yang 4 ( ) is incorrect in position and conlicts with Cathy’s yang 1 ( ). Because he is married, George noticing Cathy is not in her best interests. Yang 5 ( ) is central, correct, and comple-mentary to yin 2 ( ), implying that George’s experience and power are favorable for Cathy. Yang 6 ( ) is complementary to yin 3 ( ) but incorrect in position, which implies that George’s conident attitude poses a danger for Cathy.
his line analysis of Cathy’s relationship with George shows clearly that the beneit for her lies in the older man’s business experience and that, as a mentor, he can prove helpful to her career. She must, however, be careful to balance this potential against the hazards of any romantic involvement, where she is clearly at a disadvantage. She would be wise to keep their friendship respectful and strictly businesslike.
Now consider Hexagram 7:4 -- the exact same situation but from George’s point of view.
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Figure 7.15: From George’s View
his relationship is also a mixed situation for George. We see two pairs of complementary lines and three correct lines, yang 1 ( ), yang 3 ( ), and yin 6 ( ). he current situation is not bad for George, but if he handles the relationship recklessly, problems could result.
Yang 1 ( ) is correct in position but conlicts with yang 4 ( ), imply-ing that George is right to take notice of Cathy, but he should not rush into things. Yang 2 ( ) is complementary to yin 5 ( ) but is incor-rect in position: George’s experience and power might prove helpful to Cathy but pose a drawback for him. Yang 3 ( ) is complementary to yin 6 ( ) and in a correct position; his conidence will serve him well.
As for Cathy’s place in George’s life, her action line, yang 4 ( ), is in-correct in position and conlicts with yang 1 ( ); her determination to approach him is not favorable. Yin 5 ( ) is complementary to yang 2 ( ) but is incorrect in position, implying Cathy’s inexperience is not helpful to him. Yin 6 ( ) is complementary with yang 3 ( ) and is in a correct position, suggesting that if Cathy behaves respectfully, their interaction will beneit both of them. Perhaps Cathy will prove an apt student and evolve into a valuable employee for their corporation. Her success could relect well on George, who has served as her mentor.
Line analyses of both of these hexagrams shows that Cathy has some-thing to gain from George -- career advancement -- while George can look forward to Cathy’s respect and gratitude. But carelessness on his part or aggressiveness on hers might cause him to exploit her youth and inexperience and would be disastrous for them both.
From the example above, you see the role of harmony is important in a relationship. Remember, to know if your hexagram is favorable,
unfavorable, or neutral in regard to the topic you’re investigating, you must check:
• Are the corresponding lines complementary?
• Are the lines positioned correctly?
• Are the yang lines supported by the yin lines?
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