What are the Eight Trigrams?
The Bát Quái (八卦), or Eight Trigrams, are a system of eight three-line figures, each line being either unbroken (yang ⚊) or broken (yin ⚋). The eight possible combinations of three lines form eight single trigrams, regarded as archetypal images describing all phenomena, states, and relationships in the universe. The Eight Trigrams are the building blocks of the 64 hexagrams in the I Ching, and they are also core tools in Eight Mansions (Bát Trạch) feng shui, Qi Men Dun Jia, and many other East Asian divination systems.
Each trigram carries four interlinked layers of meaning: a natural image, an element within the Five Elements, a family role, and a direction. Below are the most widely used associations, following the Later Heaven (Hậu Thiên) arrangement, which is the one most commonly applied in practical feng shui (see the companion article comparing the Early Heaven and Later Heaven arrangements).
Càn (乾), Heaven
Càn consists of three unbroken yang lines (☰), symbolizing Heaven, creativity, strength, and supreme authority. Element: Metal. Family member: Father. Direction (Later Heaven): Northwest. Càn represents leadership, an authority figure, decisiveness, and strong will.
Khôn (坤), Earth
Khôn consists of three broken yin lines (☷), the complete opposite of Càn, symbolizing Earth, receptivity, and nurturing. Element: Earth. Family member: Mother. Direction: Southwest. Khôn stands for acceptance, care, patience, and the capacity to nurture all things.
Chấn (震), Thunder
Chấn has one yang line at the bottom with two yin lines above (☳), symbolizing Thunder, sudden movement, and new beginnings. Element: Wood. Family member: Eldest son. Direction: East. Chấn carries the energy of initiation, action, awakening, and abrupt but generative change.
Tốn (巽), Wind
Tốn has one yin line at the bottom with two yang lines above (☴), symbolizing Wind and trees, gentle yet persistent penetration. Element: Wood. Family member: Eldest daughter. Direction: Southeast. Tốn represents flexibility, adaptability, communication, and quiet, gradual influence.
Khảm (坎), Water
Khảm has one yang line sandwiched between two yin lines (☵), symbolizing flowing Water, danger, and wisdom. Element: Water. Family member: Middle son. Direction: North. Khảm is associated with challenge, depth of thought, secrecy, and the ability to overcome hardship.
Ly (離), Fire
Ly has one yin line sandwiched between two yang lines (☲), symbolizing Fire, light, and clarity that clings and illuminates. Element: Fire. Family member: Middle daughter. Direction: South. Ly represents intellect, reputation, brilliance, and clear discernment.
Cấn (艮), Mountain
Cấn has one yang line at the top with two yin lines below (☶), symbolizing a Mountain, stillness, and restraint. Element: Earth. Family member: Youngest son. Direction: Northeast. Cấn represents steadfastness, accumulation, knowing when to stop, and stability.
Đoài (兌), Lake
Đoài has one yin line at the top with two yang lines below (☱), symbolizing a Lake or marsh and joy. Element: Metal. Family member: Youngest daughter. Direction: West. Đoài is linked to happiness, communication, charm, and negotiation.
Applications of the Eight Trigrams
These eight trigrams are more than philosophical symbols, they have concrete applications. In the I Ching, they pair up to form the 64 hexagrams used for divination. In Eight Mansions feng shui, they are mapped onto the eight directions of a home to identify favorable and unfavorable sectors. In symbolic character study, they serve as a reference framework for types of energy and family relationships. Understanding the original meaning of each trigram is the essential first step before exploring the I Ching or home feng shui in greater depth.
