Why do hexagrams look the way they do?

Yang lines are active, yin lines show what it is about or what it will become, its reality. Yang is inspiration, yin is manifestation, yang is action, yin is being.

Contemplate hex.20

Hex.20 Brain and face active and alert;
decisions, emotions, contacts and position (moving) receptive

Withdraw, hex.33

Hex.33 Receptive in one's moving and relations, but all senses active.

Family, hex.37

Hex.37 Here the two lines which combine earth and man are receptive: being comes from human reality. The feet - territory - emotions, leadership and spirit are all active.

Speaking Staff, hex.43

Hex.43 The spirit is receptive, all the rest is active.

Marrying maiden, hex.54

Hex.54 Moving and decisions are active, but everything 'heaven' is receptive.

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