I Ching - Sneddon version

HEXAGRAM 1 - CH’IEN (CREATIVE)
JUDGEMENT: Ch’ien represents originality, correctness and gain.
COMMENTARY: Ch’ien indicates cause and effect. Dignity and wisdom are also indicated. Change and transformation are called for, to preserve harmony.
SYMBOLISM: Ch’ien symbolises strength; also renewal and change as seen in the revolving of the heavens. The subject should be constantly active.

HEXAGRAM 2 - K’UN (RECEPTIVE)
JUDGEMENT: K’un represents originality, correctness and gain, through obedience and willingness to learn. The person should not take the initiative, but should follow, and should find others with similar opinions and principles to follow alongside. Quietness will bring good fortune.
COMMENTARY: While Ch’ien is the source of all things, K’un gives them life. Quietness will bring great results.
SYMBOLISM: K’un symbolises the capacity and sustaining power of the earth.

HEXAGRAM 3 - CHUN (INITIAL DIFFICULTY)
JUDGEMENT: Chun represents progress and success, after initial difficulties. Caution must be exercised before action. Advantage will come from sustained appropriate behaviour, and from delegating duties to those who are able.
COMMENTARY: Chun indicates moving in areas of danger, which requires skill and wisdom. Delegation should not breed indifference.
SYMBOLISM: Chun symbolises the end of oppression.

HEXAGRAM 4 - MENG (YOUTHFUL INEXPERIENCE)
JUDGEMENT: Meng represents youth and inexperience and the method of dealing with it by the experienced elder. The teacher does not look for the pupil; it is the pupil who looks for knowledge. When the pupil opens his or her mind, the teacher fills it and there will be progress and success. But if the pupil does not listen, the teacher will no longer instruct.
COMMENTARY: Meng indicates the good sense of looking for instruction where knowledge is lacking, and being receptive to that
SYMBOLISM: Meng symbolises the passing of knowledge from the old to the growing. Whatever the time of life, there is more growing to do; no matter how much has been learnt, there is still more to learn.

HEXAGRAM 5 - HSU (WAITING)
JUDGEMENT: Hsu represents the sense of waiting until success is certain before undertaking anything hazardous. Through waiting will come success.
COMMENTARY: Hsu indicates the sense of overcoming impulsiveness.
SYMBOLISM: Hsu symbolises the virtue of patience. The subject should remain occupied.

HEXAGRAM 6 - SUNG (CONFLICT)
JUDGEMENT: Sung represents opposition and struggle. Through wariness will come good fortune. However, even wariness will not succeed in the face of prolonged struggle. A great enterprise would be rash.
COMMENTARY: Sung indicates the wisdom of changing course in the face of a struggle.
SYMBOLISM: Sung symbolises opposition and contention. Take advice.

HEXAGRAM 7 - SHIH (GROUP ACTION)
JUDGEMENT: Shih represents the presence of good fortune as a result of group action ordered by an experienced person, provided that both the cause and action are right.
COMMENTARY: Shih indicates the willingness of people to follow a trusted leader, even into danger. The cause and effect must, therefore, be right and proper.
SYMBOLISM: Shih symbolises the good fortune.

HEXAGRAM 8 - PI (UNION)
JUDGEMENT: Pi represents the idea of union between different types of people. The person who wants others to follow should examine his or her own fitness to lead. If that person is worthy, others will unite as followers and good will come from it, but only if they do not delay.
COMMENTARY: Pi indicates success as a result of individuals coming together willingly to follow a leader. But some do not wish for union until it is too late and this will bring bad luck.
SYMBOLISM: Pi symbolises the tendency to seek complete union.

HEXAGRAM 9 - HSAIO CH’U (TAMING FORCE)
JUDGEMENT: Hsaio Ch’u represents restraint in small things. This will lead to progress and success.
COMMENTARY: Hsaio Ch’u indicates that exercising restraint in small measures will bring success.
SYMBOLISM: Hsaio Ch’u symbolises the ability temporarily to restrain. The person should control the outward appearance of virtue.

HEXAGRAM 10 - LU (TREADING CAREFULLY)
JUDGEMENT: Lu represents success, brought about by treading carefully through life.
COMMENTARY: Lu indicates weakness triumphing over strength, through caution.
SYMBOLISM: Lu symbolises the wisdom of being aware of the proper place of different people in the scheme of things.

HEXAGRAM 11 - T’AI (PEACE)
JUDGEMENT: T’ai represents the growth of peace between opposing factors and the good fortune that results.
COMMENTARY: T’ai indicates the peaceful union of the strong with the weak. The person should mix with others.
SYMBOLISM: T’ai symbolises the way in which the giver ensures that everyone can receive their gifts easily.

HEXAGRAM 12 - P’I (STAGNATION)
JUDGEMENT: P’i represents stagnation and decay after growth has finished. Failure to understand others will lead to bad luck.
COMMENTARY: P’i indicates the necessity of those in authority taking the initiative.
SYMBOLISM: P’i symbolises avoiding disaster by concealing virtues.