The I-Ching and the Seven Days of Genesis
What one has to do with the other
The I-Ching
In this article, we will look at the use of the ancient Chinese text the I-Ching or Book of Changes. This text is made up of sixty-four hexagrams. The word hexagram means six lines. Each hexagram is made of six lines which come in two varieties, whole or broken.
Each hexagram is formed from two trigrams. The word trigram means three lines. These trigrams come in eight varieties as there are eight possible ways that three horizontal lines can be stacked vertically when you have only two sorts of lines, broken and unbroken.
We are going to run through the eight days of Genesis and see what order the trigrams fall in. When I say eight days of Genesis, that is also counting the period before the creation of light as a day.
☷ Trigram for Earth
We start with the trigram for Earth which is three broken lines. Each line has its own specific flavor, but for now, we are going to keep it at the level of broken or unbroken.
Genesis begins with the condition of the Earth:
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen 1:1–2 KJV)
This system uses two layers of symbolism. Firstly, each day is a trigram. The trigram for Day Zero is Earth. There is also another level, and that is either implicitly or explicitly found within the description of the events that took place that day.
Day Zero has And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Spirit over water, or in other words breath over water, which would be the hexagram of Wind over Water #59. Each hexagram has several components.
First is the title followed by the description.
59. Huan / Dispersion [Dissolution]
above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND below K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Then comes the judgment.
THE JUDGMENT
DISPERSION. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to cross the great water. Perseverance furthers.
Following the judgment is the image.
THE IMAGE
The wind drives over the water: The image of DISPERSION. Thus the kings of old sacrificed to the Lord And built temples.
Finally, are the lines. There are six line readings and these correspond to the six lines of the hexagram. I will include only one line in this example.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: He brings help with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
After each component, there is also lengthy commentary. This makes it impossible to include the complete text for each hexagram, so in general, I will only include those portions of each hexagram that I find relevant.
For this particular hexagram, the most relevant text is the commentary attached to the image above.
In the autumn and winter, water begins to freeze into ice. When the warm breezes of spring come, the rigidity is dissolved, and the elements that have been dispersed in ice floes are reunited.
This is an interesting description considering how Genesis describes the Earth as being covered in water, but also that there was darkness on the waters. No light means no heat, which indicates that the waters were frozen. Then Wind over Water is an encrypted description of warm spring winds coming to break up the winter ice.
☲ Trigram for Fire
The first day is Sunday. The trigram is fire.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. (Gen 1:3–5 KJV)
This day has two hexagrams Fire over Earth #35 and Earth over Fire #36.
☵ Trigram for Water
The next day is Moon day. The Moon controls the tides, rules the waters.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. (Gen 1:6–8 KJV)
In the article above, I identified only two hexagrams for this day. However, after examining the entire sequence in detail, I have come to the conclusion that there are actually three hexagrams.
The first hexagram is Water over Water #29, the second is Heaven over Water #6, and the third is Water over Heaven #5.
☶ Trigram for Mountain
The next day is Mars day.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. (Gen 1:9–13 KJV)
The hexagrams from the text above are Heaven over Water #6 because the text says waters under the heaven. Earth over Water #7 is because the only way for dryland to appear is if it rising above the waters. Earth over Lake #19 because the text redefines waters as seas. Finally, Wind-Wood over Earth #20 because plants grow on the surface of the Earth.
☴ Trigram for Wind-Wood
This day is Mercury day. This is the day of the mind. Spirit is another word for breath. Words are formed from breath. This is the day when the rational mind labels phenomena and charts the heavens.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. (Gen 1:14–19 KJV)
The hexagrams for this day are Heaven over Fire #13 because Fire is in Heaven at night and the reverse Fire over Heaven #14 during the day.
☰ Trigram for Heaven
This is the trigram for Jupiter day. This is the day of the soul.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (Gen 1:20–23 KJV)
Let the waters teem with the teeming living creature is the English translation of: mayim=waters sharats=teem sherets=teeming nephesh=soul chay=life.
The term soul is equal to the trigram of heaven. So this text is saying that in the water are souls. This is equal to Water over Heaven #5. I am just going to identify the hexagrams first and then we’ll come back to what they mean.
In the same verse, we have fowl flying on the earth. The key terms are fowl, on, and earth. Fowl is equated with wind-wood because it flies, so this is Wind-Wood over Earth #20.
Also in the same verse, the fowl also fly in the open firmament of heaven. That gives us Heaven over Wind-Wood #44.
Then in verse 22, we have the fish filling the waters in the sea. That equates to Lake over Water #47. I should explain that the upper trigram represents what is above, but also what is outside. Just as the lower trigram can be both what is under and what is inside. So, in this instance, the waters are in the sea, so the sea is on the outside and the waters on the inside, hence, Lake over Water.
Finally, also from verse 22, we have fowl multiplying in the earth. This gives us Earth over Wind-Wood #46
So let us return to the first hexagram Water over Heaven #5. This is the same hexagram that we had on Moon day. During that day, it represented the impact between the Earth and Theia which resulted in today’s Moon. Here it seems to serve as a callback to Moon day. It can even be read as a description of the various aquatic niches where a hungry fish might wait.
5. Hsü / Waiting (Nourishment)
above K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER below CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means: Waiting in the meadow. IT furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
This is the description of a fish waiting, hidden among the grasses.
Nine in the second place means: Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
The fish is waiting near a beach.
Nine in the third place means: Waiting in the mud Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
The fish is waiting in the muddy bottom of a pond.
Six in the fourth place means: Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
The fish is hidden within a cloud of blood.
Nine in the fifth place means: Waiting at meat and drink. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The fish is feasting.
Six at the top means: One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
You have fallen into the mouth of the fish. You are now food. The three guests are the three balls of the triad swallowing you down.
The next hexagram, Wind-Wood over Earth #20, is another callback, this time to Mars day. This is the hexagram that represents the plant life that grows on Earth’s surface. It also provides shelter in which birds may build their nests.
20. Kuan / Contemplation (View)
above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND below K’UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Next up is Heaven over Wind-Wood #44. This seems to be a description of an amphibian evolving into a reptile.
44. Kou / Coming to Meet
above CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: It must be checked with a brake of bronze. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one lets it take its course, one experiences misfortune. Even a lean pig has it in him to rage around.
This is a description of the early adaptation as the fish grows flippers.
Nine in the second place means: There is a fish in the tank. No blame. Does not further guests.
The creature is still a fish.
Nine in the third place means: There is no skin on his thighs, And walking comes hard. If one is mindful of the danger, No great mistake is made.
The creature is adapting. No skin on his thighs and walking comes hard is a description of the creature adapting to movement on dry land.
Nine in the fourth place means: No fish in the tank. This leads to misfortune.
The creature can no longer be considered a fish.
Nine in the fifth place means: A melon covered with willow leaves. Hidden lines. Then it drops down to one from heaven.
The melon dropping from heaven is the creature depositing its egg not in the water, but on land.
Nine at the top means: He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation. No blame.
The next hexagram is Lake over Water #47. This again reads like a creature is undergoing evolutionary change.
47. K’un / Oppression (Exhaustion)
above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE below K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
THE IMAGE
There is not water in the lake: The image of EXHAUSTION. Thus the superior man stakes his life On following his will.
The image is simple enough. There is a lake, but the water is below the lake. The previous hexagram could perhaps represent a fishlike creature exploring the dry land. This hexagram reads more like a creature that lived in a pool of water that then dried up.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: One sits oppressed under a bare tree And strays into a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing.
This seems to be the beginning of some deep changes. The creature must adapt to survive.
Nine in the second place means: One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame.
The creature is uncomfortable while eating and drinking. The scarlet knee bands indicate that this creature is having a difficult time learning to walk. It is apparently walking on its knees.
Six in the third place means: A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone, And leans on thorns and thistles. He enters the house and does not see his wife. Misfortune.
The creature is experiencing the hard world with all its sharp and pointy bits. It isn’t interesting in reproducing.
Nine in the fourth place means: He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached.
The creature struggles to gain mobility.
Nine in the fifth place means: His nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
The creature’s nose and feet being cut off symbolize adaptive mutations to the gills and fins. The purple knee bands show that the creature no longer crawls on its knee. The red knee bands from the second place above were the color of raw flesh, while purple is the color of bruised flesh.
Six at the top means: He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, “Movement brings remorse.” If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, Good fortune comes.
The creeping vines refer to the creature’s circulatory system. The creature does not like to move because it is cold-blooded.
Finally, we come to Earth over Wind-Wood #46, the last hexagram for this day.
46. Shêng / Pushing Upward
above K’UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
THE IMAGE
Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD. Thus the superior man of devoted character Heaps up small things In order to achieve something high and great.
This hexagram seems to be concerned with the drive to climb higher.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: Pushing upward that meets with confidence Brings great good fortune.
Pushing upward is good.
Nine in the second place means: If one is sincere, It furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.
Just a tiny bit higher than last time is still pushing upward.
Nine in the third place means: One pushes upward into an empty city.
The creature rose high enough to see the city below.
Six in the fourth place means: The king offers him Mount Ch’i. Good fortune. No blame.
The creature rises above a mountain.
Six in the fifth place means: Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.
The creature adapts by small steps each generation, always pushing upward.
Six at the top means: Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one To be unremittingly persevering.
The creature continues to rise into the darkness at the edge of the atmosphere.
That’s where the hexagrams for Jupiter day seem to go. The first hexagram was a description of various aquatic environments. The second was a description of the life of a tree. The third and fourth were descriptions of the agony of adaptation in two different versions. The final hexagram is an anthem to pushing upwards, in small steps, which I guess the fish had to do if they were ever going to become birds.
☱ Trigram for Lake
This is the trigram for Venus day. Lake in the I-Ching represents joy and attraction. The trigram of lake corresponds to any body of water. The trigram of water is water in its elemental sense.
24 And God saith, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind:’ and it is so. (Gen 1:24 YLT)
Here we have earth bringing out these creatures with souls. Souls again are heaven, so Heaven over Earth #12.
26 And God saith, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.’ (Gen 1:26 YLT)
Man, as used in this section of Genesis, is equated to the trigram lake. That being so, verse 26 gives us three hexagrams: Lake over Lake #58, Lake over Heaven #43, and Lake over Earth #45.
Let’s look through these hexagrams and see if there is anything interesting.
First, we come to Heaven over Earth #12.
12. P’i / Standstill [Stagnation]
above CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN below K’UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
THE JUDGMENT
STANDSTILL. Evil people do not further The perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.
THE IMAGE Heaven and earth do not unite: The image of STANDSTILL. Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth In order to escape the difficulties. He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.
This is considered a negative hexagram because the trigram of heaven rises and the trigram of earth sinks down, so there is no intermingling of energies.
This hexagram on this day represents the mammals. The small mammals approach as the great dinosaurs depart.
Then the next hexagram jumps to the end result of the day.
58. Tui / The Joyous, Lake
above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE below TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
THE JUDGMENT
THE JOYOUS. Success. Perseverance is favorable.
THE IMAGE
Lakes resting one on the other: The image of THE JOYOUS. Thus the superior man joins with his friends For discussion and practice.
Lake over Lake looks pretty joyous. This is when friends get together, compare experiences, and continue training.
Let’s see how the next hexagram looks. Lake over Heaven #43 can be read as a description of the development from mammal to man.
43. Kuai / Break-through (Resoluteness)
above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE below CH’IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means: Mighty in the forward-striding toes. When one goes and is not equal to the task, One makes a mistake.
This is the animal running on four legs.
Nine in the second place means: A cry of alarm. Arms at evening and at night. Fear nothing.
The animal is awake at night, not cold-blooded. It is aware and alert.
Nine in the third place means: To be powerful in the cheekbones Brings misfortune. The superior man is firmly resolved. He walks alone and is caught in the rain. He is bespattered, And people murmur against him. No blame.
The creature develops speech. It leaves the jungle and moves to the savannah, where it is no longer protected from the rain.
Nine in the fourth place means: There is no skin on his thighs, And walking comes hard. If a man were to let himself be led like a sheep, Remorse would disappear. But if these words are heard They will not be believed.
The creature is struggling to stand upright. If he were to run on four legs like a sheep, things would be easy. Instead, the creature stands slightly straighter, step by step.
Nine in the fifth place means: In dealing with weeds, Firm resolution is necessary. Walking in the middle Remains free of blame.
The creature has become a farmer.
Six at the top means: No cry. In the end misfortune comes.
The man learns the discipline to remain silent when necessary.
Finally, we come to Lake over Earth #45, the last hexagram from the seven days of Genesis. This reads like people building communities.
45. Ts’ui / Gathering Together [Massing]
above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE below K’UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
THE IMAGE
Over the earth, the lake: The image of GATHERING TOGETHER. Thus the superior man renews his weapons In order to meet the unforeseen.
The man has to keep his weapons oiled and sharp
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: If you are sincere, but not to the end, There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.
The man will do what he must in order to gather the people.
Six in the second place means: Letting oneself be drawn Brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, It furthers one to bring even a small offering.
Sometimes the gatherer must become the one being gathered into a greater whole.
Six in the third place means: Gathering together amid sighs. Nothing that would further. Going is without blame. Slight humiliation.
Even while gathering, the man wants to be sure he is surrounded by the right sort of people.
Nine in the fourth place means: Great good fortune. No blame.
This guy found himself near the leader of the gathering.
Nine in the fifth place means: If in gathering together one has position, This brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work, Sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then remorse disappears.
The man who has a good position within the gathering, that’s not bad. Still, if there are others who need to take the gathering more seriously and this man helps them to better appreciate the gathering, then this man has nothing to be ashamed of.
Six at the top means: Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears. No blame.
Death is often the reason for a gathering.
That’s how this day’s hexagrams go. The first one was the beginning point of mammals. The second was the ending stage when friends get together to discuss and train. The third depicted the development from a four-legged creature to a farmer. The fourth and final hexagram depicts the process of gathering a community for safety.
☳ Trigram for Thunder
Thunder is the trigram for Saturn day. Saturn day is about how systems inevitably decay and eventually collapse. Thunder is the trigram of shock and initiative.
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (Gen 2:1–3 KJV)
The Bible skips the day of thunder and instead returns to earth day, zero-day, the day of inaction before God created light. That’s how the authors of Genesis avoided the system running down. They just skipped that entire stage final stage and circled back to the beginning. Then they made it a crime to work on the seventh day to guarantee that the ritual would remain in effect so that systemic decay and collapse never had the opportunity to manifest.