I Ching Glossary
A bilingual glossary of 21 essential I Ching terms with Traditional Chinese definitions and English explanations.
爻 Yáo / Lines
#- 繁中
- 構成指引的基本單位。一個指引由六個爻組成，由下往上數，分別代表事物發展的六個階段。
- English
- The fundamental strokes that make up a guidance reading. Each reading has six lines, representing different stages of development.
陽爻 Yáng Yáo / Yang Line
#- 繁中
- 符號為實線「⚊」。代表剛健、積極、明亮、主動的力量。
- English
- Represented by a solid line (⚊). It symbolizes strength, activity, light, and the masculine principle.
陰爻 Yīn Yáo / Yin Line
#- 繁中
- 符號為斷線「⚋」。代表柔順、消極、暗藏、收斂的力量。
- English
- Represented by a broken line (⚋). It symbolizes receptivity, passivity, darkness, and the feminine principle.
原始指引 Běn Guà / Original Reading
#- 繁中
- 抽取指引時最初得到的讀解，代表事物當下的現狀或問題的本質。
- English
- The initial reading obtained during your inquiry, representing the current situation or the core of the issue.
變化方向 Zhī Guà / Direction Shift
#- 繁中
- 原始指引中的「變動線」發生質變後（陰變陽、陽變陰）形成的新讀解，代表未來的趨勢或建議。
- English
- The resulting reading after the changing lines have transformed, indicating the future trend or final advice.
對應指引 Cuò Guà / Opposite Perspective
#- 繁中
- 對應指引：每條線陰陽全部反轉後得到的另一組指引，呈現對立視角，幫助從完全相反的角度看待問題。
- English
- Formed by flipping all lines to their opposites. It provides a perspective from a completely contrary standpoint.
反向指引 Zōng Guà / Reversed View
#- 繁中
- 將原讀解旋轉 180 度（倒過來看）得到的新讀解。代表換位思考，從對方的立場或反面觀察局勢。
- English
- Formed by turning the reading upside down. It encourages seeing the situation from an opponent's or alternative perspective.
交互指引 Hù Guà / Inner Layer
#- 繁中
- 取原讀解的第二、三、四線為下層，第三、四、五線為上層組合而成。代表隱藏在事件內部的核心動機或潛在因素。
- English
- A reading derived from the inner lines (2, 3, 4 and 3, 4, 5) of the original, revealing hidden motives or internal dynamics.
核心判斷 Guà Cí / Guidance Statement
#- 繁中
- 文王所作，對整個讀解的基本性質、吉凶與方向給予的總結性文字。
- English
- The general description and judgment of a reading's theme and potential outcome.
爻辭 Yáo Cí / Line Statement
#- 繁中
- 周公所作，針對讀解中六個不同的「爻位」所給予的具體行為建議與情境描述。
- English
- Specific guidance and descriptions for each of the six lines within a reading.
象辭 Xiàng Cí / Image Commentary
#- 繁中
- 分為「大象」與「小象」。大象解釋讀解的大自然意象與君子應有的行為；小象則解釋具體爻位的意義。
- English
- Divided into “Great Image” (overall natural symbolism) and “Small Image” (individual line symbolism).
彖辭 Tuàn Cí / Judgment Commentary
#- 繁中
- 專門解釋核心判斷的文字，著重於論述讀解的結構、道理與必然性。
- English
- Commentaries that explain the reasoning and logic behind the Guidance Statement.
八種基礎組 Bā Guà / Eight Trigrams
#- 繁中
- 易經的基礎符號，由三線組成。分別是：乾、坤、震、巽、坎、離、艮、兌。
- English
- The eight fundamental symbols consisting of three lines each, representing the basic elements of the universe.
六十四種情境 Liù Shí Sì Guà / Sixty-Four Readings
#- 繁中
- 由八種基礎組兩兩相疊組合而成，代表了人生與社會中 64 種典型的變動情境。
- English
- Created by combining two trigrams, representing 64 universal scenarios of change.
上組 / 下組 Shàng Guà / Xià Guà; Outer / Inner Trigram
#- 繁中
- 一個讀解由兩個三線層組成。上面的叫「外層」或「上層」，代表環境；下面的叫「內層」或「下層」，代表自我。
- English
- The top trigram (Outer) represents the environment, while the bottom trigram (Inner) represents the self or internal state.
世應 Shì Yìng / Self and Other
#- 繁中
- 易經預測學中的概念。世代表自己（主方），應代表對方、目標物或環境（客方）。
- English
- "Shi" represents the self/subject, and "Ying" represents the other party/object/environment.
用神 Yòng Shén / Target Factor
#- 繁中
- 在解讀時，根據問題鎖定的核心參考爻位（如求財看財爻，求官看官爻）。
- English
- The specific line or element designated as the primary focus for a particular query (e.g., wealth, career).
文王序 King Wen Sequence
#- 繁中
- 現行《周易》中 64 種讀解的標準排列順序，體現了萬物循環不息的哲學理路。
- English
- The traditional arrangement of the 64 readings in the I Ching.
太極 Tài Jí / The Supreme Ultimate
#- 繁中
- 宇宙的最原始秩序狀態，陰陽未分之前的統一體。
- English
- The ultimate, primordial state of the universe from which Yin and Yang emerge.
兩儀 Liǎng Yí / The Two Poles
#- 繁中
- 指陰、陽。太極動而生陽，靜而生陰。
- English
- The dual forces of Yin and Yang.
四象 Sì Xiàng / The Four Images
#- 繁中
- 由陰陽疊合而成的四種狀態：少陽、老陽、少陰、老陰。對應四季或四個方位。
- English
- The four combinations of Yin and Yang lines, representing phases like the seasons.