Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Qián (Heaven), Lower Trigram: Qián (Heaven)]

Upper Trigram: Qián (Heaven) Lower Trigram: Qián (Heaven)

Judgment: Qián: Supreme success. Perseverance furthers.

Symbolism: Creativity, strength, leadership, initiative

Meaning of the Hexagram

The Qián hexagram symbolizes pure creativity and strength. The character “Qián” represents heaven, creativity, and primal force. This hexagram consists of six solid yang lines, symbolizing pure yang energy, representing the creative principle that brings all things into being.

On a philosophical level, the Qián hexagram explores the wisdom of creativity and leadership. True wisdom is not passive acceptance but active creation and initiative. The Qián hexagram reminds us that creativity and leadership require strength and perseverance, and through these qualities, we can achieve supreme success.

Analysis of the Judgment

“Qián: Supreme success” indicates that creativity and initiative lead to supreme success, emphasizing the power of active creation and leadership.

“Perseverance furthers” means that perseverance is beneficial, suggesting that creativity and leadership require persistent effort and determination.

Overall, the judgment emphasizes that creativity and leadership can lead to supreme success, but require perseverance and determination, thus achieving true creativity and leadership.

Line Statements

Initial Nine: Hidden dragon. Do not act.

  • Symbolism: Hidden dragon, do not act
  • Interpretation: A hidden dragon, do not act
  • Application: Suggests that in the initial stage of creativity, it is better to remain hidden and not act prematurely, emphasizing the importance of timing and preparation

Nine in the Second Place: Dragon appearing in the field. It furthers one to see the great man.

  • Symbolism: Dragon appearing in the field, beneficial to see the great man
  • Interpretation: Dragon appearing in the field, it is beneficial to see the great man
  • Application: Describes the emergence of creative potential, suggesting that at this stage, it is beneficial to seek guidance and inspiration from great individuals or higher principles

Nine in the Third Place: All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame.

  • Symbolism: Superior man active all day, careful at night, danger without blame
  • Interpretation: The superior man is active all day, at night his mind is still careful, danger but no blame
  • Application: Emphasizes the continuous effort and vigilance required in the creative process, suggesting that even with diligence, there may be dangers, but there is no blame in facing these challenges

Nine in the Fourth Place: Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.

  • Symbolism: Wavering flight over depths, no blame
  • Interpretation: Wavering flight over the depths, no blame
  • Application: Describes the uncertainty and exploration in the creative process, suggesting that this wavering and exploration is natural and without blame

Nine in the Fifth Place: Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man.

  • Symbolism: Flying dragon in the heavens, beneficial to see the great man
  • Interpretation: Flying dragon in the heavens, it is beneficial to see the great man
  • Application: Represents the height of creative achievement and leadership, suggesting that at this stage, one can influence and inspire others, and it is beneficial to connect with other great individuals or higher principles

Top Nine: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent.

  • Symbolism: Arrogant dragon will repent
  • Interpretation: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent
  • Application: Warns against the dangers of excessive pride and arrogance in the final stage of creativity and leadership, reminding us that even at the peak of success, humility is essential

Interpretation Guide Table

Area Key Points Indication
Career Take initiative, demonstrate leadership, maintain perseverance, focus on long-term vision Auspicious
Wealth Actively create opportunities, maintain financial discipline, persevere through challenges, focus on sustainable growth Auspicious
Relationships Show leadership in relationships, maintain consistent effort, persevere through difficulties, focus on mutual growth Auspicious
Health Maintain active lifestyle, practice consistent habits, persevere through health challenges, focus on holistic well-being Auspicious
Family Provide leadership and support, maintain family harmony, persevere through family challenges, focus on family development Auspicious
Education Take initiative in learning, maintain consistent effort, persevere through difficulties, focus on comprehensive knowledge Auspicious

Hexagram Transformations

Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Qián hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Kūn hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Qián hexagram

Najia and Five Elements

The Qián hexagram consists of upper and lower trigrams both being Qián, which belongs to metal. In the Najia system, the Qián hexagram is assigned to the Qián Palace Jiǎ Zǐ.

In terms of Five Elements relationships, Qián is metal, symbolizing strength and firmness, and the Qián hexagram with both upper and lower trigrams being Qián represents doubled metal force, like intense strength and firmness. This also echoes the theme of creativity and leadership described in the Qián hexagram, suggesting that creativity and leadership are like metal’s strength and firmness, capable of shaping and influencing the world.

Modern Application Examples

  1. Leadership Development: A business executive seeking to improve leadership skills receives the Qián hexagram. This reminds them that leadership requires creativity and initiative (“Qián: Supreme success”), as well as perseverance and determination (“Perseverance furthers”). “Initial Nine: Hidden dragon. Do not act” suggests that in the initial stage of leadership development, it’s better to observe and learn rather than act prematurely. “Nine in the Second Place: Dragon appearing in the field. It furthers one to see the great man” encourages them to seek mentorship and guidance from experienced leaders. “Nine in the Third Place: All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame” emphasizes the continuous effort and vigilance required in leadership, suggesting that even with diligence, there may be challenges, but these are part of the growth process. “Nine in the Fourth Place: Wavering flight over the depths. No blame” describes the uncertainty and exploration in leadership development, suggesting that this exploration is natural and necessary. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man” represents the height of leadership achievement, suggesting that at this stage, one can influence and inspire others, and it is beneficial to connect with other great leaders. “Top Nine: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent” warns against the dangers of arrogance in leadership, reminding them that even at the peak of success, humility is essential. Overall, the Qián hexagram advises them to develop leadership through creativity and initiative, seek mentorship, maintain continuous effort and vigilance, embrace exploration, aim to inspire others, and maintain humility, thus achieving effective and sustainable leadership.

  2. Creative Project: An artist starting a new creative project receives the Qián hexagram. “Qián: Supreme success” encourages them that their creative initiative can lead to great success. “Perseverance furthers” reminds them that creativity requires persistent effort and determination. “Initial Nine: Hidden dragon. Do not act” suggests that in the initial stage of the creative process, it’s better to incubate ideas rather than rush into execution. “Nine in the Second Place: Dragon appearing in the field. It furthers one to see the great man” encourages them to seek inspiration and guidance from masters in their field. “Nine in the Third Place: All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame” emphasizes the intensive work and concern that goes into creativity, suggesting that even with diligence, there may be challenges, but these are part of the creative process. “Nine in the Fourth Place: Wavering flight over the depths. No blame” describes the uncertainty and exploration in the creative process, suggesting that this exploration is natural and necessary. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man” represents the height of creative achievement, suggesting that at this stage, one’s work can inspire others, and it is beneficial to connect with other great artists. “Top Nine: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent” warns against the dangers of artistic arrogance, reminding them that even at the peak of success, humility is essential. Overall, the Qián hexagram perfectly describes the creative process: incubation, inspiration, intensive work, exploration, achievement, and the need for humility. It advises them to approach their creative project with initiative and perseverance, seek inspiration, work diligently, embrace exploration, aim to inspire others, and maintain humility, thus achieving artistic success.

  3. Personal Development: An individual seeking personal growth receives the Qián hexagram. “Qián: Supreme success” directly points to the potential for great achievement through self-development. “Perseverance furthers” emphasizes that personal growth requires consistent effort over time. “Initial Nine: Hidden dragon. Do not act” suggests that in the early stages of personal development, internal reflection and preparation are more important than external action. “Nine in the Second Place: Dragon appearing in the field. It furthers one to see the great man” encourages them to seek mentors and role models who can guide their development. “Nine in the Third Place: All day long the superior man is creatively active. At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares. Danger. No blame” describes the intensive work and concern that goes into personal growth, acknowledging that this process may involve challenges and anxieties, but these are normal parts of development. “Nine in the Fourth Place: Wavering flight over the depths. No blame” validates the periods of uncertainty and exploration in personal growth, suggesting that this exploration is valuable and necessary. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Flying dragon in the heavens. It furthers one to see the great man” represents the achievement of significant personal development, suggesting that at this stage, one can not only benefit from mentors but also begin to inspire others. “Top Nine: Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent” warns against the danger of becoming prideful about one’s growth, reminding them that true development includes humility. Overall, the Qián hexagram advises them to approach personal development with creativity and initiative, seek guidance from mentors, work consistently, embrace periods of uncertainty, aim to inspire others, and maintain humility throughout the process, thus achieving genuine and sustainable personal growth.