What does 元亨利贞 really mean?

[MadePossible]

The decision of Hexagram 1:

 

元亨利贞 (yuán hēng lì zhēn).

 

This is a highly mysterious phrase, appearing often throughout the Yijing.

 

1. 元 (yuán) - the early meaning was that of a head.
2. 亨 (hēng) - prosperity, success?
3. 利 (lì) - Shaughnessy tells us it originally represented a sharp knife harvesting grain. Later it took on the meaning of 'sharp' as in 'intelligent'.
4. 贞 (zhēn) - loyalty?

 

 

 

[Taomeow]

I think it's one of the least mysterious statements in the I Ching.

 

A favorable beginning (yuan), penetrating progress (heng), beneficial appropriateness (li), and steadfast correctness (zhen) -- 

throughout the I Ching Yuanheng Lizhen stands for the "green light" in response to your divination.  A "yes," rather than what the outcome of other inquiries may be -- "maybe," "possible but not likely," "don't go there," "a hard no."  

[forestofclarity]

Here's an interesting article below with a variety of interpretations depending on how you break it up. There are moral, philosophical, divinatory, etc. meanings. 

 

In the Taoist I Ching (a commentary by Liu Yiming, trans Cleary)), it is said to be a complete cycle of creation, like the four seasons or the four parts of internal cultivation. 

 

https://www.arcjournals.org/pdfs/ijhsse/v9-i11/1.pdf

[kakapo]

10 hours ago, MadePossible said:

The decision of Hexagram 1:

 

元亨利贞 (yuán hēng lì zhēn).

 

This is a highly mysterious phrase, appearing often throughout the Yijing.

 

1. 元 (yuán) - the early meaning was that of a head.
2. 亨 (hēng) - prosperity, success?
3. 利 (lì) - Shaughnessy tells us it originally represented a sharp knife harvesting grain. Later it took on the meaning of 'sharp' as in 'intelligent'.
4. 贞 (zhēn) - loyalty?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

元 (Yuán): That is a great idea.

 

亨 (Hēng): Everything will go well.

 

利 (Lì): Doing this will bring good results.

 

贞 (Zhēn): Everything will finish strong, and end well.

 

In the I Ching. It's the universe telling you that all conditions are aligned for a complete and total success, as long as you stay on track

 

 

[MadePossible]

There really are a thousand different ideas what it could mean, because no-one actually seems to know what it means.

[Taomeow]

3 hours ago, MadePossible said:

There really are a thousand different ideas what it could mean, because no-one actually seems to know what it means.

 

Note to self: never respond to newcomers' questions until you know more about them.   

[forestofclarity]

2 hours ago, Taomeow said:

 

Note to self: never respond to newcomers' questions until you know more about them.   

 

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