Definitions
the solid and broken lines of the eight trigrams 八卦[bā guà], e.g. ☶
Etymology
Depicts two X shapes used as divinatory diagrams.
About
A key concept in Chinese divination, 爻 is structurally formed by two intersecting lines stacked vertically, creating an ideograph that visually represents intertwining and interaction. Its primary meaning refers specifically to the individual solid (yang) or broken (yin) lines that compose the eight trigrams and sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. Outside of this metaphysical context, the character is seldom used in daily language, remaining a specialized term closely tied to the study of cosmic change.
Etymology Hide
