Line (Yao)

Definition

A yao (line) is the smallest stroke unit of a hexagram: a yang line (—) or a yin line (- -). From bottom to top they are numbered first (chu), second, third, fourth, fifth, and top (shang). Yang lines are called “nine,” yin lines “six,” hence names such as Chu Jiu and Liu Er.

Place in the system

Six casts first yield six lines, which then form a double hexagram. When reading, note each line’s yin/yang and stillness/motion, then open that line’s source text—for example Qian’s first line at Zhou Yi · Qian · Chu Jiu, Kun’s first line at Zhou Yi · Kun · Chu Liu.

Still and moving

• Lesser yang, lesser yin: still lines; they keep their polarity in the original hexagram.
• Old yang, old yin: moving lines; polarity swaps in the resulting hexagram. See Moving line.

And classical wording

When Liu Yao practice takes imagery from “such-and-such hexagram, such-and-such line,” match it to the Zhou Yi line text rather than paraphrasing from memory. Full catalogs: Zhou Yi and Sixty-four hexagrams index.

Boundaries

• Line names (Chu Jiu and so on) are a literary convention; six relatives and shi/ying are later charting conventions—do not conflate them.
• A single line statement cannot replace a full-chart reading of the useful spirit and shi/ying.