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 64 · 未济 · Wèi Jì

Before Completion

Element:
Fire over Water
Key themes:
transition, potential, uncertainty, preparation, anticipation

Image

A fire that has not yet reached its full potential, symbolizing the anticipation of completion.

Overall message

Hexagram 64 represents the anticipation of completion and the transition to a new phase. It emphasizes preparation, adaptability, and staying focused on the final steps. Success comes from embracing the process and being ready for new beginnings.

The end of one phase is near, but completion has not yet been achieved. Stay focused, prepare for the final steps, and remain adaptable to changes.

Classical text (Legge, 1882)

Judgment. Wei Žî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.

Image. (The trigram representing) water and that for fire above it form Wei Žî. The superior man, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among (the qualities of) things, and the (different) positions they (naturally) occupy.

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 and New Beginnings

    Completion is achieved, but it also marks the start of a new cycle.

    Celebrate the achievement and prepare for the next phase.

  2. Line 5 · Final Push

    The final steps require determination and clarity.

    Give your full effort to achieve completion.

  3. Line 4 · Approaching Completion

    Completion is within reach, but careful effort is still needed.

    Stay focused and avoid distractions.

  4. Line 3 · Risk of Overconfidence

    There is a risk of becoming overconfident too soon.

    Remain humble and avoid rushing the process.

  5. Line 2 · Gaining Momentum

    Progress is being made, but challenges remain.

    Stay determined and adapt to obstacles.

  6. Line 1 · Beginning of Transition

    The transition has begun, but the outcome is still uncertain.

    Stay patient and focus on the process.

Related hexagrams

Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì. 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 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì. 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 38 · · Kuí
  2. Line 2 changing → Hexagram 35 · · Jìn
  3. Line 3 changing → Hexagram 50 · · Dǐng
  4. Line 4 changing → Hexagram 4 · · Méng
  5. Line 5 changing → Hexagram 6 · · Sòng
  6. Line 6 changing → Hexagram 40 · · Xiè