The 64 hexagrams

Browse every hexagram by number, search by name or theme, or filter by element.

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No. 1QiánThe CreativeNo. 2KūnThe ReceptiveNo. 3ZhūnDifficulty at the BeginningNo. 4MéngYouthful FollyNo. 5WaitingNo. 6SòngConflictNo. 7ShīThe ArmyNo. 8Holding TogetherNo. 9小畜Xiǎo ChùSmall TamingNo. 10TreadingNo. 11TàiPeaceNo. 12StandstillNo. 13同人Tóng RénFellowshipNo. 14大有Dà YǒuGreat PossessionNo. 15QiānModestyNo. 16EnthusiasmNo. 17SuíFollowingNo. 18Work on the DecayedNo. 19LínApproachNo. 20GuānContemplationNo. 21噬嗑Shì KēBiting ThroughNo. 22GraceNo. 23Splitting ApartNo. 24ReturnNo. 25无妄Wú WàngInnocenceNo. 26大畜Dà ChùGreat TamingNo. 27NourishmentNo. 28大过Dà GuòGreat PreponderanceNo. 29KǎnThe AbysmalNo. 30The ClingingNo. 31XiánInfluenceNo. 32HéngDurationNo. 33DùnRetreatNo. 34大壮Dà ZhuàngGreat PowerNo. 35JìnProgressNo. 36明夷Míng YíDarkening of the LightNo. 37家人Jiā RénThe FamilyNo. 38KuíOppositionNo. 39JiǎnObstructionNo. 40XièDeliveranceNo. 41SǔnDecreaseNo. 42IncreaseNo. 43GuàiBreakthroughNo. 44GòuComing to MeetNo. 45CuìGathering TogetherNo. 46ShēngPushing UpwardNo. 47KùnOppressionNo. 48JǐngThe WellNo. 49RevolutionNo. 50DǐngThe CaldronNo. 51ZhènThe ArousingNo. 52GènKeeping StillNo. 53JiànDevelopmentNo. 54归妹Guī MèiThe Marrying MaidenNo. 55FēngAbundanceNo. 56The WandererNo. 57XùnThe GentleNo. 58DuìThe JoyousNo. 59HuànDispersionNo. 60JiéLimitationNo. 61中孚Zhōng FúInner TruthNo. 62小过Xiǎo GuòSmall PreponderanceNo. 63既济Jì JìAfter CompletionNo. 64未济Wèi JìBefore Completion

Hexagram 24 · ·

Return

Element:
Thunder over Earth
Key themes:
renewal, recovery, rebirth, second chances, progress

Image

Thunder returning beneath the earth, symbolizing the return of positive energy and new beginnings.

Overall message

Hexagram 24 represents the concept of return and renewal. It emphasizes the importance of patience, perseverance, and making the most of second chances. Success comes from embracing new beginnings, overcoming setbacks, and working harmoniously towards progress.

Embrace the opportunity for renewal and recovery. A return to harmony and progress is possible. Success comes from patience, perseverance, and making the most of second chances.

Classical text (Legge, 1882)

Judgment. Fû indicates that there will be free course and progress (in what it denotes). (The subject of it) finds no one to distress him in his exits and entrances; friends come to him, and no error is committed . He will return and repeat his (proper) course. In seven days comes his return. There will be advantage in whatever direction movement is made.

Image. (The trigram representing) the earth and that for thunder in the midst of it form Fû. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, on the day. of the (winter) solstice, shut the gates of the passes (from one state to another), so that the travelling merchants could not (then) pursue their journeys, nor the princes go on with the inspection of their states.

From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.

The six lines

  1. Line 6 · Completion of Return

    The period of return is complete. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.

    Reflect on the lessons learned. Use this knowledge to build a stronger foundation.

  2. Line 5 · Leadership in Renewal

    Strong leadership guides the return to harmony and success.

    Lead with integrity and vision. Your guidance will inspire others.

  3. Line 4 · Harmonious Return

    The return is harmonious and well-supported. Success is within reach.

    Work with others to achieve harmony. Collaboration will enhance your progress.

  4. Line 3 · Overcoming Setbacks

    Setbacks may occur, but they can be overcome with determination.

    Stay resilient and focused. Use setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

  5. Line 2 · Steady Progress

    Progress is steady but slow. Patience is key.

    Be patient and persistent. Small, consistent steps will lead to success.

  6. Line 1 · Initial Return

    The first signs of return and renewal appear. Be open to new beginnings.

    Welcome the return of positive energy. Stay hopeful and open to change.

Related hexagrams

Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 44 · · Gòu. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.

Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 2 · · Kūn. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.

Change by line:

If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:

  1. Line 1 changing → Hexagram 2 · · Kūn
  2. Line 2 changing → Hexagram 19 · · Lín
  3. Line 3 changing → Hexagram 36 · 明夷 · Míng Yí
  4. Line 4 changing → Hexagram 51 · · Zhèn
  5. Line 5 changing → Hexagram 3 · · Zhūn
  6. Line 6 changing → Hexagram 27 · ·