Line 1 Yang
The dragon remains hidden: cultivate ability before putting it forward.
← The 64 hexagrams
HEXAGRAM 01 · Qián
Creative Power
Creative strength needs persistence and a sense of timing.
☰ Above: Qian · Heaven☰ Below: Qian · Heaven
Meaning
Heaven keeps moving. The dragon's six positions show strength being cultivated, put to work, and restrained when it rises too far.
FOR REFLECTION
Does your ability now need preparation, a trial, or shared responsibility?
The six lines
Read from line 1 at the bottom to line 6 at the top. These are paraphrases, not verbatim translations.
Line 2 Yang
The dragon appears in the field: seek someone of substance and vision.
Line 3 Yang
Work diligently by day and stay alert at dusk; meet danger carefully.
Line 4 Yang
The dragon tries a leap by the depths: test a possible advance.
Line 5 Yang
The dragon flies in heaven: use a wider position and meet worthy people.
Line 6 Yang
The dragon rises beyond its reach; strength needs the ability to retreat.
Use Nine
Use Nine: a gathering of dragons claims no single head; strength works together.
References
Classical Zhouyi · 乾James Legge, The Yî King (1882), Sacred Books of the East XVI, hexagram 1
Editorial policy & bibliography →For reference and reflection. This commentary makes no certain claim about the future.