no2DO: Glossary of important terms used within the I Ching (Yijing) and no2DO

You can also find an extensive glossary with search function here: Glossary

Color coding: Color coding of individual hexagrams currently has no meaning.
Dao: Dao is traditionally referred to as "the path". Within Daoist philosophy it describes the eternal and active principle of creation which encompasses both original unity and duality. Dao thus constitute the basic principle of the world's creation, it is a principle of immanence (= all-pervading) as well as transcendence (= undifferentiated emptiness, mother of the cosmos) and represents the highest state of being. Dao stands for the potentiality of all forms and also for the power that pervades the whole process of creation and creation itself. "Life in harmony with the Dao" refers to a lifestyle where any action is taken spontaneously and in harmony with the general situation, out of a state of inner stillness.
→ Read more at Wikipedia
Daoist philosophy, Daoism: The world view that underlies the I Ching is rooted in Daoism (Chinese: "Teaching the Way", Taoism). The basic idea is the primordial unity from which all creation emanates: it gives birth to duality (Yin and Yang, light and shadow) and by their changes, movements and interplay creates our environment (the external world). The ethical teachings of Daoism advise that people should learn about this basic principle through their own observation and realize the Dao by harmoniously adapting to the continuously changing, phenomenal forms. Daoism is a philosophy, but it is also seen as China's sole and authentic religion. Its secured historical origins are in the 4th Century BC, when the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching, Tao te Ching) of Laozi (Lao Tzu, Lao-tzu) was created.
→ Read more at Wikipedia
Divination methods: The I Ching oracle is traditionally determined by using coins or yarrow sticks. → Read more at Wikipedia
At no2DO we use a mix of human factor and computer generated random numbers: as long as you move the mouse within the playing field, the mouse movement's x and y coordinates are added up; the longer you move the mouse, the greater the numerical value.
If you finally click the mouse a random number is generated and multiplied twice with the previously calculated sum of x and y coordinates. Subsequently, the respective next integer is determined (through eliminating decimal places) and, depending on whether it is odd or even, a solid (Yang) or a broken (Yin) line is drawn.
Thus, as long as the querist moves the mouse, he actively influences the numeric value. Just like with coins or yarrow sticks the result is determined by the querist - and no a "random number" as with most online oracles.
Fortune, good: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: positive outcome, because all action happens in accordance with the Dao.
Furthering: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: good for everybody/everything.
Great man, the: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: A man living in harmony with the Dao, acting out of a state of inner calm, spontaneously and in accordance with the overall situation. Within the hexagram the great man often refers to the fifth line (if this is a Yang line). It indicates an action from center outward. Ideally, it corresponds with its counterpart, the second line (= the middle line in the lower trigram), which is often regarded as will.
Hexagram: A hexagram is formed by two trigrams, with the movement going upwards, just like plant growth: the hexagram is built from bottom to top (for example when doing the oracle) and later read accordingly.
→ Overview hexagrams
I Ging: The I Ching (Chinese 易經, yì jing, W.-G. I Ching, auch: I Jing, YI Ching, Yi King; "The Book of Changes") is based on cosmology and philosophy of ancient China, particularly Daoism (Taoism). Basic ideas behind the I Ching include balance of opposites and acceptance of change. The book describes the world in 64 images which in turn consist sets of six continuous (Yang) or broken (Yin) lines (= one hexagram). The I Ching is treasured both for wisdom and prophecy.
→ Read more at Wikipedia
Image, the: These words belong to the "Ten Wings" of the I Ching (a collection of texts which is attributed to Confucius), more precisely, to the 3rd and 4th wing; they refer to both trigrams and give clues as to what to do best.
Interpretation model: The no2DO interpretation model splits a hexagram into upper and lower trigram ("lower trigram","upper trigram"), and both core character ("first core character"; "second core character").
Read more...
Judgement, the: Originates from the oldest part of the I Ching and is traditionally attributed to Wenwang (King Wen, the 12th century BC); short, vivid sentences describe the situation and conclude with a brief review.
Core Character: Lines 2, 3 and 4 form a hexagram's first core character, line 3, 4 and 5 its second core character. Both core characters highlight the hexagram's internal dynamics by showing how the two trigrams are linked together and interact.
no2DO: Our culture of 2do-lists (also: to-do-lists) tends to reward activism. This strategy, however, is only to a very limited extent guarantor of an overall successful life.
Usually it is much more purposeful to be aware of the present situation in all its complexity. And then, from a state of inner stillness, act spontaneously and in accordance with the whole situation. In the East his approach is referred to as wu wei: not to act.
A kind of no2DO.
Order of hexagrams: The 9th Wing of the "Ten Wings" (a collection of texts about the I Ching, attributed to Confucius) is a short text that shows in which order the hexagrams follow each other.
Perseverance: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: be steadfast, remain true.
Sublime: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: origin, beginning, the starting point of all things, the creative impulse, that is: Qian.
Often symbolized as rain.
Success: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: fertilization, things that simply land at one's lap without voluntary accomplishment; the receptive, feminine principle, Kun.
Also represented as clouds.
Superior man, the (German: "der Edle"): Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: an ideal personality with good character that strives towards a life in harmony with circumstances and time quality, without losing sight of his own objectives.
Water; cross the great water: Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: to finish the old (and take final leave of it) and to address the new.
Tao: see Dao
Taoism: see Daoism
Te (Virtue): Central notion of the traditional interpretation of the I Ching. Meaning: inner strength, inner voice that reconnects man with his own inner being, helping him to walk the right path (Dao). Further names for Te in the classical interpretations: wide-ranging virtue, inner qualities, spirit, virtue, character.
Trigram: The eight trigrams are the basis of the I Ching. They are composed of three solid (Yang) or broken (Yin) lines. Two trigrams form a hexagram, one image of I Ching.
The colored trigrams link to the respective chapters in the I Ching Course where they are explained in detail.

Chinese Name	Traditional Image	Traditional Characteristic	Modern Interpretation	Dysfunction	Element Organ
¦¦¦ Kun	Earth Mother	receptive, dark, nurturing, soft, flexible, adaptive, fertile	calmness, acceptance; stability; compassion, commitment; peace	brooding	Earth ST, SP
\|\|¦ Dui	Lake joungest daughter	joyous, content, fulfilled, open	touch; humility; connection, inspiration	melancholia	Metal LU
\|¦\| Li	Fire middle daughter	hot, bright, luminous, adherent, intelligent	clear differentiation; purification, separation	chaos	Fire SI
¦\|\| Sun	Wind Tree eldest daughter	gentle, penetrating, well-rooted, flexible	thinking, planning, acting; determination	resignation	Wood LIV
\|\|\| Qian	Heaven Father	creative, bright, conscious, extending	clarity, coherence; expression, passion; warmth, love	egocentricity	Fire HE
\|¦¦ Zhen	Thunder eldest son	exciting, strong, staggering, decisive movement	determination, flexibility	fury	Wood GB
¦\|¦ Kan	Water middle son	abysmal, dangerous, exposed to uncontrollable forces	basic trust; intuition	anxiety	Water BL, KI
¦¦\| Gen	Mountain joungest son	to hold still, to persevere; a meditative state	disengagement, letting go; transformation	grief	Metal LI

¦¦¦ Kun, the Earth

Modern Interpretation: Calm, trust, acceptance, allowing things to happen; stability; compassion, bonding; peace
→ I Ching Study Guide: Kun, the Earth

||¦ Dui, the Lake

Modern Interpretation: Touch; humility; connectedness, inspiration; individuation; rhythm
→ I Ching Study Guide: Dui, the Lake

|¦| Li, the Fire

Modern Interpretation: Clear differentiation; purification, separation
→ I Ching Study Guide: Li, the Fire

¦|| Sun, the Wind / Tree

Modern Interpretation: Determination; thinking, planning, acting; mental skills, insight
→ I Ching Study Guide: Sun, the Wind / Tree

||| Qian, the Heaven

Modern Interpretation: Clarity, coherence; expression, passion, spontaneity; warmth, love; spirituality
→ I Ching Study Guide: Qian, the Heaven

¦¦| Zhen, the Thunder

Modern Interpretation: Determination; enthusiasm, courage; precision; flexibility, strength
→ I Ching Study Guide: Zhen, the Thunder

¦|¦ Kan, the Water

Modern Interpretation: Basic trust; intuition; ancestral energy
→ I Ching Study Guide: Kan, the Water

¦¦| Gen, the Mountain

Modern Interpretation: Disengagement, letting go; transformation; harmonization
→ I Ching Study Guide: Gen, the Mountain

Virtue (Te): see Te
Wu Wei: Wu Wei means something like "non-intervention". Contrary to passive, disestablished apathy Wu Wei describes hereby an attitude marked by creative passivity and attentive openness towards the environment. Only when we perceive a situation in all its complexity we can, out of a state of inner calm, act spontaneously and in accordance with the whole. Any action following this principle is done easily and effortlessly, without effort of volition - and is very different from the often completely sterile, intellectually influenced activism our culture rewards so much.
→ Article: Wu Wei. An Approximation
→ Read more at Wikipedia
Yin and Yang, Tàijí symbol: Yin und Yang are central concepts of Chinese philosophy, especially Daoism (Taoism), which applies this dualism to everything. According to Daoism Yin and Yang are fundamental aspects of reality, simultaneouly interdependent and complementary to each other, rhythmically alternating during the course of life.
The Tàijí symbol shows how Yin and Yang blend into each other: when Yang reaches its greatest abundance it already contains the seed of Yin - and vice versa. Any human action should ultimately aim at (re)establishing of the balance of Yin and Yang.
Yang: Yang was initially symbolized by the warmer, southern side of the mountain, a sunny bank, later the mountain as a whole. Subsequently Yang represented everything including light and bright day, summer and sun. Also dryness, air (wind) and fire were assigned to Yang, as well as increasingly warm days of spring, the warmer season's flourishing and revival of nature, all that is active, creative, invigorating, expanding, shiny, external. Yang corresponds to the hard and masculine.
Yang manifests itself in odd numbers and is represented by a solid line, for example | or also
Yin: Yin originally referred to the colder north side of a mountain, the shaded river bank or the darker, cooler south side of a valley. Later on Yin was associated with the idea of days with cool weather and overcast skies, with shadows and all that is dark, cool and humid, with water and earth, night and winter. Yin qualities correspond to winter, the passive, hidden, astringent, dull, interior. Yin is associated with the soft and feminine.
Within the I Ching Yin is represented by even numbers and a dashed line such as | ¦ or also