hexagrams

A hexagram is a figure formed by six points or lines arranged in a six-pointed star. In geometry, it is commonly represented by two overlapping equilateral triangles, a shape also known as the star polygon {6/2}. The hexagram appears in various cultural and symbolic contexts, notably as the Star of David in Jewish iconography, though its historic uses extend beyond a single tradition and it can be found in art, architecture, and mysticism around the world.

In the I Ching, or Book of Changes, a hexagram refers to one of 64 six-line figures used for divination and guidance. Each line is either yin (a broken line) or yang (an unbroken line), and the six lines are stacked from bottom to top to form the hexagram. The two adjacent groups of three lines are called trigrams. By combining any two of the eight trigrams, 64 hexagrams are produced, each associated with a range of meanings or judgments. In many readings, lines may be designated as changing, suggesting a transition to a new hexagram and, thereby, a shift in circumstances or guidance.

Beyond I Ching, hexagrams are used primarily as symbols of balance, unity, and interrelation. In modern design and symbolism, the hexagram appears as a geometric motif and as an emblem with various cultural meanings. Its mathematical and visual properties—consisting of six points and rotational symmetry—make it a persistent and versatile figure in both practical and symbolic contexts.