---
title: Hexagrams of context
description: "You can browse ‘hexagrams of context’ in the dedicated tab in the [hexagram browser window](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/the-hexagram-browser/): ![screenshot](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/contexts.png) They’re also mentioned in the [advanced search window](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/advanced-search/), [cast history](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/cast-history/) search and Yijing reading cast tab (below the translation and commentary). ## Primary hexagram…"
url: "https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/hexagrams-of-context/"
updated: "2019-05-16"
category: Yijing features
---

# Hexagrams of context

You can browse ‘hexagrams of context’ in the dedicated tab in the [hexagram browser window](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/the-hexagram-browser/):

![screenshot](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/contexts.png)

They’re also mentioned in the [advanced search window](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/advanced-search/), [cast history](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/docs/cast-history/) search and Yijing reading cast tab (below the translation and commentary).

## Primary hexagram

This is the original hexagram you cast. The answer to your question starts here.

## Relating hexagram

The hexagram that appears when all moving lines have changed to their opposites:

![screenshot](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/relating.png)

The role of the relating hexagram varies, but expect it to tell you something about where you stand *relative* to the whole.

## Nuclear hexagram

A hexagram created from the inner lines of an original hexagram. A hexagram’s lines are numbered 1 through 6 from bottom to top. To find its nuclear hexagram, you create a new hexagram from lines 2,3,4,3,4,5.

For instance, here’s Hexagram 50, the Vessel, and its nuclear hexagram 43, Deciding:

![showing how hexagram 43 is made from the inner lines of hexagram 50](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/nuclear.png)

A nuclear hexagram describes a core reality that’s manifest in the original hexagram: the Vessel is one way that Deciding becomes manifest.

## Paired hexagram

Each odd-numbered hexagram is paired with the even-numbered hexagram that follows: 1 with 2, 3 with 4 and so on.

Most hexagram pairs are created by inversion – Hexagram 4 is the same as Hexagram 3, just upside-down. Hexagrams that don’t change when inverted are paired with their opposites.

The paired hexagram shows you the ‘other side of the coin’.

## Opposite hexagram

The hexagram created by changing all six lines; also known as the ‘complementary hexagram’. The opposite of Hexagram 50 is Hexagram 3, Sprouting:

 

| Hexagram 50, ![:|||:|](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/images/gua/50.gif) the Vessel | Hexagram 3, ![|:::|:](https://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/images/gua/3.gif) Sprouting |
| --- | --- |

 

Opposite hexagrams show you exactly what your answer *isn’t* – and can also show what’s needed for balance.

## Patterns of change

The patterns of change are ‘map’ hexagrams showing only where a line is changing. In the yang pattern of change, each changing line is represented by a solid (yang) line and each unchanging line by a broken line. The yin pattern of change is the reverse: changing lines are represented by broken (yin) lines, unchanging lines by solid lines. Hence yin and yang change patterns are opposite hexagrams.

The patterns of change can describe a path through the reading. The yang pattern tends to describe how you encounter or enter the moment of the reading – it may be immediately recognisable as such. The yin pattern may show a way through. It can be helpful to reflect on how to attain an equilibrium between the two.

## Steps of change

The step of change (or *zhi gua*) for each line is the hexagram created by changing that line alone – it will be the relating hexagram if only that line is changing.

In readings, they can be considered as a miniature relating hexagram for each changing line.