Hexagram 18 of the IChing – Correcting

Hexagram 18 of the IChing, known as Correcting, is composed of the upper trigram 艮 (Gen - Mountain, the youngest son) and the lower trigram 巽 (Xun - Wind, the eldest daughter).

Hexagram 18 of the Yi Jing, known as Correcting or 山風蠱 (Shān Fēng Gǔ) in Chinese, is composed of the upper trigram 艮 (Gen – Mountain, the youngest son) and the lower trigram 巽 (Xun – Wind, the eldest daughter). This hexagram represents a transition to action, emphasizing the moment when one takes steps to correct or address issues that have become corrupted or decayed.

Jia Zi Combination:

Hexagram 18 is associated with Ding Wei (丁未), the 44th combination of the sexagesimal cycle:

  • 丁 (Ding) represents Yin Fire, the celestial stem.
  • 未 (Wei) represents the Goat, the terrestrial branch.

Interpretation of the Hexagram’s Structure:

The opposite hexagram of 18 is Hexagram 17 – Sui (隨), meaning "Following" or "The Continuation." This is derived by replacing the Yang lines with Yin lines and vice versa.

Opposite Hexagram:

  • The opposite hexagram of 18 is Hexagram 17 – Sui (隨), meaning “Following” or “The Continuation.” This is derived by replacing the Yang lines with Yin lines and vice versa.
The inverted hexagram, which reveals the origin of the situation, is Hexagram 53 – Jian (漸), meaning "Development." This hexagram is obtained by swapping the positions of the two trigrams.

Inverted Hexagram:

  • The inverted hexagram, which reveals the origin of the situation, is Hexagram 53 – Jian (漸), meaning “Development.” This hexagram is obtained by swapping the positions of the two trigrams.
The nuclear hexagram, representing the heart of the issue, is Hexagram 54 – Gui Mei (歸妹), meaning "The Marrying Maiden." This is formed by using the four central lines of the hexagram to create two new trigrams.

Nuclear Hexagram:

  • The nuclear hexagram, representing the heart of the issue, is Hexagram 54 – Gui Mei (歸妹), meaning “The Marrying Maiden.” This is formed by using the four central lines of the hexagram to create two new trigrams.

Mutant Hexagram (Derived):

When a line in Hexagram 18 mutates, it gives rise to a new hexagram, indicating how the situation may evolve:

  • Line 6 mutates to form Hexagram 46
  • Line 5 mutates to form Hexagram 57
  • Line 4 mutates to form Hexagram 50
  • Line 3 mutates to form Hexagram 4
  • Line 2 mutates to form Hexagram 52
  • Line 1 mutates to form Hexagram 26
Taoist Yi Jing Wen Wang Gua In the Taoist interpretation following the Wen Wang Gua (Liu Yao) method, Hexagram 18 is associated with the Xun (Wood) family and represents a state of return or permanence: Subject is placed on the third line. Object is placed on the sixth line. Six Relatives: 6th line: 寅 yin Wood – Brothers 5th trait: 子 zi Water – Parents 4th trait: 戌 xu Earth- Wealth 3rd trait: 酉 you Metal – Officer  2nd trait: 亥 hai Water – Parents 1st line: 丑 cabbage Earth – Wealth

Taoist Yi Jing Wen Wang Gua

In the Taoist interpretation following the Wen Wang Gua (Liu Yao) method, Hexagram 18 is associated with the Xun (Wood) family and represents a state of return or permanence:

  • Subject is placed on the third line.
  • Object is placed on the sixth line.

Six Relatives:

  • 6th line: 寅 yin Wood – Brothers
  • 5th trait: 子 zi Water – Parents
  • 4th trait: 戌 xu Earth- Wealth
  • 3rd trait: 酉 you Metal – Officer 
  • 2nd trait: 亥 hai Water – Parents
  • 1st line: 丑 cabbage Earth – Wealth