Sixty-four hexagram interpretation of life's principles through Korean Yihak
Korean Yihak is a traditional divination system that reads fortune through the 64 hexagrams of the timeless Eastern classic I Ching (周易), grounded in Korean Yihak tradition. It precisely analyzes current situations and directions of change through the meanings of 64 hexagrams and 384 lines.
Korean Yihak is based on the I Ching's original texts — the Upper Canon (上經) and Lower Canon (下經) — and Confucius's Ten Wings (十翼) commentaries, reconstructing the hexagram interpretation methodology traditionally used in Korean I Ching studies for the modern era.
The I Ching (周易) is the supreme Eastern classic. According to legend, Fu Xi (伏羲) drew the eight trigrams, after which King Wen of Zhou (周文王) systematized them into 64 hexagrams and assigned Gwasa. Confucius (孔子) authored the Ten Wings (十翼), adding philosophical commentary.
The I Ching consists of the Upper Canon (上經) with 30 hexagrams and the Lower Canon (下經) with 34 hexagrams, systematically organizing the laws of change in nature and human affairs. The I Ching Upper Canon focuses on natural principles, while the I Ching Lower Canon centers on human affairs.
The Ten Wings (十翼) are ten commentaries added by Confucius and his disciples, philosophically unpacking the meaning of hexagrams and lines, establishing the I Ching not merely as a divination text but as a philosophical work and classic.
The 64 hexagrams of the I Ching are formed by combining 8 trigrams (八卦). Each hexagram consists of 6 lines (爻), which are either yin lines (--) or yang lines (—). The bottom three lines form the lower trigram (下卦), and the top three form the upper trigram (上卦).
The eight trigrams are Qian (乾), Dui (兌), Li (離), Zhen (震), Xun (巽), Kan (坎), Gen (艮), and Kun (坤), symbolizing heaven, lake, fire, thunder, wind, water, mountain, and earth respectively. Their combinations create 64 hexagrams, each with unique Gwasa (卦辭) and Yosa (爻辭).
For example, the Water-Thunder (屯) hexagram has Water (Kan) above and Thunder (Zhen) below, meaning difficulty and potential at the beginning. The Heaven-Fire (姤) hexagram combines Heaven (Qian) and Fire (Li), symbolizing unexpected encounters.
In the I Ching, Yin-Yang (陰陽) is the fundamental principle of all things. Yang (—) is bright, active, and expansive energy, while yin (--) is dark, passive, and convergent energy. The 64 hexagrams carry different meanings based on yin-yang arrangements.
Changing lines (變爻), where yin and yang switch, are key clues showing how the current situation will change. By tracking the transformation from the original hexagram (本卦) to the transformed hexagram (變卦) through changing lines, one reads the direction of situational change.
Each line's position carries different meaning — the initial line represents the beginning of events, and the top line represents the outcome. This allows gauging what stage the event is at and which direction it will flow.
Korean Yihak separates the upper trigram (上卦) and lower trigram (下卦) to interpret each meaning, then derives the overall meaning of the doubled hexagram (重卦) formed by their combination. The upper trigram represents external situations or goals, while the lower trigram represents inner states or starting points.
For example, the Di Tian Tai (地天泰) hexagram has Earth (Kun) above and Heaven (Qian) below — heaven's energy rises and earth's energy descends, meeting in harmony to symbolize Tai Ping (泰平, great peace).
Conversely, the Tian Di Pi (天地否) hexagram has Heaven (Qian) above and Earth (Kun) below — heaven rises and earth descends, moving apart in discord to symbolize Pi (否), meaning blockage.
Xiangci (象辭) is an interpretation method that draws natural principles from the hexagram's form, systematized in the Xiangzhuan (象傳) of the Ten Wings. This translates abstract hexagram meanings into concrete life wisdom.
Yosa (爻辭) are original texts assigned to each line, containing specific recommendations and warnings for concrete situations based on the line's position and yin-yang. For example, the Fei Long Zai Tian (飛龍在天) — the nine-five yosa of the Qian hexagram (乾卦) — means the highest timing and achievement.
Korean Yihak is a divination system that applies thousands of years of Eastern philosophy of change to modern everyday life. The wisdom of knowing the times and flexibility in responding to change emphasized by the I Ching can serve as a meaningful guide for finding direction even in complex modern society.
The I Ching's core message — 'the only constant is change' — reminds modern people of the importance of situation-appropriate adaptation and strategy, while the 64 hexagrams' diverse scenarios can serve as a map of wisdom for responding to life's various phases.
LunaWitch's Korean Yihak is based on authoritative sources including the I Ching Upper Canon, Lower Canon, Ten Wings, and Za Gua Zhuan, grounded in Korean Yihak tradition, reconstructing orthodox I Ching divination principles with modern interpretation. The fairy warmly explains the messages of the 64 hexagrams.
Thousands of years of wisdom translated into modern language, aiming to provide practical help in your life. Discover the deep messages of change that the 64 hexagrams convey, with LunaWitch.
I Ching Upper/Lower Canon, Ten Wings, JapGwaeJeon traditional texts
Six-line hexagram divination for reading the flow of change
Name-based destiny energy analysis through stroke count and Five Elements
Five-directional energy fortune reading for life guidance