Bagua: the eight three-line trigrams

The eight trigrams are Qian, Kun, Zhen, Xun, Kan, Li, Gen and Dui. Each line is either yang, a solid line, or yin, a broken line. Read their positions from bottom to top: first, second and third. With two possibilities at each of three positions, there are eight combinations.

Common images are Qian—heaven; Kun—earth; Zhen—thunder; Xun—wind or wood; Kan—water; Li—fire; Gen—mountain; Dui—lake or marsh. These are symbols in the Discussion of the Trigrams (Shuo Gua) tradition, not simple statements of natural causation. Distinguish a three-line trigram from a six-line hexagram made by stacking two trigrams. When discussing directions, specify the Earlier Heaven or Later Heaven system.

Introductory cultural reference, not personal fortune-telling, medical or investment advice. Symbolism expresses a wish, not a guaranteed effect.