Understanding “Trends of Time” and Line Interactions in the I Ching

How to Understand the Concept of “Trends of Time” in the I Ching?

The literal meaning of “趋时” (qū shí) is to move toward the direction of time’s flow. In the study of the I Ching, “趋时” is a crucial concept. “时” (shí), or “time,” is a key proposition in the Zhou Yi (the I Ching), highly regarded by scholars throughout history. The Xici (Commentary on the Appended Phrases) mentions, “There is no constancy in the above and below; the strong and the weak interchange. It cannot be made into a fixed rule; only change applies.” Later, in the Zhou Yi Lüeli·Ming Gua Shì Bian Tōng Yao (An Overview of the I Ching by Wang Bi during the Jin Dynasty), Wang Bi proposed the idea of the “appropriate time”:

“A hexagram is time itself, and a line represents the change that corresponds to the time. Time encompasses both Tai and Pi hexagrams, thus dictating both movement and concealment. Hexagrams have varying degrees of size, so the phrases speak of danger and ease. A specific time can reverse its course and become the opposite, with auspicious moments potentially turning into inauspicious ones. Thus, the hexagrams are marked by opposites, and the lines all change accordingly. Therefore, the principle of change is without constancy; action and inaction, stretching and contracting, follow the time’s nature. By interpreting the hexagram clearly, one can discern whether the outcome will be favorable or unfavorable based on the type of change, and by recognizing the time, movement will align with its appropriate use.”

He further emphasizes the importance of “appropriateness in time”: “Fortune and misfortune come with the right time; one must not go against it. There is an appropriate moment for action or stillness, and one must not exceed it. To violate time’s prohibition brings the worst consequences, even beyond one’s grand actions—losing the right moment brings great disaster. The appropriate time must be adhered to, whether it’s in hierarchical status, personal matters, or decision-making.”

From this, we see that only by choosing the right moment can things develop in harmony with time, leading to further advancement. As a way to interpret the I Ching’s hexagrams and lines, “趋时” is often used to judge the outcomes of situations. The ancients said, “Appropriate timing leads to good fortune; missing it leads to misfortune.” Hence, to assess the fortune of a hexagram or line, one must not only determine whether it is in its “correct position,” but also whether it aligns with the current flow of time. Only then can one “follow the heavens and respond to humans,” leading to auspicious outcomes.

How to Understand the “Time’s Center” in a Line’s Position?

The term “时中” (shí zhōng) first appears in the Xiang Zhuan (Commentary on the Images) of the Meng hexagram of the I Ching: “Meng, success. It is prosperous when it follows the center of time.” Here, “时中” refers to a line’s position that is not only in the center but also in harmony with the timing of the moment. “时中” originates from the I Ching and is highly esteemed in traditional Confucian thought. Confucius once said: “The gentleman practices the Doctrine of the Mean, acting in accordance with the timing, while the petty person is reckless and without regard for consequences.”

In this context, “时中” means that the good or bad outcome of a situation should be evaluated in accordance with the characteristics and circumstances of the moment, striving for balance.This balance is often symbolized in various forms, such as yin yang jewelry, which embodies the harmony between opposing forces—a concept deeply rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy and reflective of the I Ching’s teachings. The principle of “时中” primarily contains two aspects: the first is to act according to the time’s appropriateness, and the second is to adapt and remain flexible as time changes. In other words, when undertaking an action, one must be pragmatic, progressive, and realistic—only in this way can one achieve the desired outcome, which is fortunate and auspicious.

How to Understand the “Interactions” Between Positions of the Lines?

“往来” (wǎng lái), or the “interactions,” is a metaphor for the relationship between the positions of the lines in a hexagram. The concept of “往来” comes from the Xiang Zhuan (Commentary on the Images) of the I Ching, and it serves to explain the significance of a hexagram’s phrases and to judge its fortune or misfortune, filling in the gaps of the hexagram’s interpretation.

Within a hexagram, the “往来” relationships between the positions of the lines can be understood in two primary ways:

1. The up-and-down interactions between the lines, where the line moves from the top to the bottom (“来” – lái, “coming”) and from the bottom to the top (“往” – wǎng, “going”). This creates a mutual resonance between the line and the hexagram, providing a basis for judging fortune or misfortune, enriching the relationship between the hexagram and its lines.
2. The mutual interaction between the lines themselves, causing the hexagram to change into a new one. This change provides the basis for determining the fortune or misfortune between different hexagrams. Such “interactions” between the lines enable movement and change within the hexagram, pushing forward the I Ching’s system of development and transformation, and aligning with the laws of change in the world.

In essence, these “interactions” are key to understanding the fluid dynamics within the I Ching, showing how the energies at play can shift, evolve, and impact outcomes in an unpredictable but structured manner.