Look for the South Korean Flag

In Western countires, the I Ching or Book of Changes is considered exotic, New Age stuff.

Not so in the Far East, where it is a part of the the very fabric of their culture.  If you doubt this, just take a look at the flag of South Korea at tonight's Olympic closing ceremonies.

It is the yin-yang symbol, surrounded by four sets of three broken and unbroken lines.  Those sets of three lines are trigrams - the building blocks of an I Ching reading.  The hexagrams on the flag are symbols of Heaven, Earth, Fire and Water.

See the entry from Knowledgerush below:

"The national flag, civil and state ensign of South Korea is white with a red (top) and blue Yin Yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field. In Korean, the flag is called the Taegeukgi (태극기; 太極旗). The flag was designed in 1882 during the reign of King Gojong by Bak Yeong-ho, the Korean ambassador to Japan. Gojong proclaimed the Taegeukgi to be the official flag of Korea on 6 March 1883.

The four trigrams are:

• ||| Force (☰; geon (건; 乾) in Korean) = heaven (天);
• |:| Radiance (☲; ri (리; 離)) = fire (火), sun, and yang;
• :|: Gorge (☵; gam (감; 坎)) = water (水), moon, and yin;
• ::: Field (☷; gon (곤; 坤)) = earth (地).

In Chinese philosophy, the eight trigrams are related to the five elements of fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. An analogy could also be drawn with the four western classical elements. "

The I Ching uses eight trigrams:  Heaven, Earth, Fire, Water, Thunder, Mountain, Wind and Lake. It is the combination of these elements and what they symbolize that give each I Ching reading its meaning.

No. 44, Coming To Meet  /  Temptation:

"Coming to Meet.  The maiden is powerful.
One should not marry such a maiden."

     "The temptation to leave our path intrudes, either in reaction to the inferior nature of others, or because of internal pressure of our own desires. It is important to acknowledge this danger."  [Anthony]

     This hexagram is the future of Attaining Clarity.  Now that you are forewarned,  you can deal with this Temptation correctly. 

     Modern translators have never been entirely comfortable with the traditional emphasis on the "maiden" as an inferior influence.

    This influence may not be a "danger" - it may be a destiny.  "It is necessary for elements predestined to be joined and mutually dependent to come to meet one another halfway." [Wilhelm]  

    
        "This may represent a renaissance within, a sudden enlightenment, or an encounter of true significance in the outside world."   [Wing]   Or, Line 5 said yesterday  "a real change of heart."

The Clinging / Synergy / Attaining Clarity,  Line 5:

"Tears in floods, sighing and lamenting.
Good fortune."

     You will soon reach a point of genuine inner transformation. This process of Attaining Clarity will bring you to "a real change of heart." "Here the zenith of life has been reached." [Wilhelm]

     Often these moments of deep revelation are accompanied by a catharsis - a release of the pent-up emotions and anxieties that have built up as you have lived a life that is not harmonious with your true self.

    
      The acceptance of the loss of this other, ordinary life will lead to great gain.  An auspicious moment.

The Clinging  /  Synergy  /  Attaining Clarity,  Line 2: 

"Yellow light. Supreme good fortune." 
 
     For the Chinese, yellow is symbolic of the center, or mean --- a state of true balance or harmony.  
 
     In the process of Attaining Clarity, this moderation will be essential.  Any form of excess will cause you problems.  
 
      Anthony and Moog describe this as a progression of light from the "harsh white light of judgment" at one end of the spectrum, to total darkness at the other.  Seeing things as "right" or "wrong," "good" or "bad" will put an end to your progress.  Finding "The Golden Mean," however, and Clinging to it, will bring supreme good fortune. 
 
    Attaining Clarity will bring about a dramatic change, as we will see tomorrow when we look at Line 5. 

No. 30,  The Clinging  /  Synergy  /  Attaining Clarity: 

"The Clinging.  Perseverance furthers. 
It brings success. 
Care of the cow brings good fortune." 
 
       "That which is bright rises twice: The image of Fire.  Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness, illumines the four quarters of the world."  [The Image]

       
      Anthony and Moog. in I Ching; Oracle of the Cosmic Way, call this hexagram Attaining Clarity. This is one of the eight double-sign hexagrams; Fire over Fire. While it symbolizes The Clinging - flames clinging to the wood that fuels it - it also embodies light and brightness.

        
       Receiving this hexagram is a sign that you need to get clear about what is important to you.  The Synergy portion of the message is important, too:  your actions need to be in Synergy with your inner truth.

         
       Are you expending time and energy toward a goal you don't really care about?  Is it what someone else wants, or something you think you should do, rather than what you truly want and need to do?

     
      The Yi has given us three changing lines to help in this process of Attaining Clarity, Lines 1, 2 and 5.  We look at Line 1 tomorrow.

Following/ Adaptability,  Line 2:

"If one clings to the little boy,
One loses the strong man."

     If you hold on to what is weak or inferior, you will lose that which is beneficial.  These may be your own "childlike" traits, or those of others.

    Do you enable --- or even encourage --- childish qualities?   Indulging yourself or others is not the way to build the strong Following you will need to accomplish your goals.

    The Yi's message on how you should be Adapting is straightforward:  Be the grown-up.

   
    This advice will be important to your future, which we'll look at tomorrow.

Following / Adaptability, Line 1:

"The standard is changing.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
To go out of the door in company
Produces deeds."

    Whether you like it or not, things are changing - in a very basic way.

     The way to survive these changes is to be truly open to all opinions and ways of life.  If you can adapt yourself to the prevailing currents, and join in the efforts wholeheartedly, you can accomplish something solid.

     What basic change do you need to Adapt yourself to?

      Line 2 will tell us more tomorrow.

No. 17,  Following / Adaptability:

"Following has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.  No blame."

        "In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself."  [Wilhelm] 

         You have something you want to accomplish.  You are not going to be able to do it by yourself - you will need to develop a following - people who will endorse and support your actions.  (Do "followers" on Twitter count?  I wonder . . . )

         R.L. Wing says, "Rid yourself of old prejudices and opinions that may be controlling your behavior and holding you back.  If your goals and principles are not consonant with those of your society, then you must make an adjustment in yourself." 

       
        There is "no blame" in following this course now.  In fact, it will bring you "supreme success."

         What life circumstance is the Yi urging you to adapt to?

        We have two changing lines, Lines 1 and 2, with some specific advice on where things are trending.   We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.

No. 30,  The Clinging  /  Fire  /  Synergy: 

"The Clinging.  Perseverance furthers. 
It brings success. 
Care of the cow brings good fortune." 
 
       "That which is bright rises twice: The image of Fire.  Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness, illumines the four quarters of the world."  [The Image]

       
     This is one of the eight double-sign hexagrams; Fire over Fire. While it symbolizes The Clinging - flames clinging to the wood that fuels it - it also embodies light and brightness.

        
      R.L. Wing calls this hexagram Synergy:  "When two elements approach each other in such a way that the scope of what they can achieve together far surpasses the total of what they could achieve separately, they are acting with Synergy.

     Examine your present situation. You are separating yourself from an old, outmoded way of thinking, in accordance with the main message.  (Well, you are, aren't you?  We've been warned about this twice!)  But you are not meant to be The Lone Gunman.   In what future endeavor would cooperation and interdependence take you farther than your efforts alone?

Work on What Has Been Spoiled  / Decay  /  Repair,  Line 5: 

"Setting right what has been spoiiled by the father. 
One meets with praise." 
 
       You are in a situation were "an individual is confronted with corruption originating from neglect in former times." [Wilhelm]   
 
      Do not think that you have to cooperate with, or continue, a wrong path of action.  You cannot change the past, but you can make a new start in the right direction.  
 
        "One meets with praise" if you make the necessary corrections. 
 
       We look at future tomorrow.

Work On What Has Been Spoiled  /  Decay  /  Repair,  Line 3:

"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse.
No great blame."

       "What has been spoiled by the father" refers  to rules for living that have been installed in you by authority figures.  They may not be actual rules.  They may be traditions, or even just expectations.

      The main message said you need to identify these false ideas and beliefs that are "spoiling" your life, and get rid of them.  Line 3 says that doing what you need to do may cause some regret.

     It is difficult to separate yourself from close personal ties that have been controlling you. It will cause them some distress, and that will cause you some distress, too.

      Don't let this deter you.  There is no blame in this for you.

      We received Lines 2 and 3 before, and this time, we received Line 5 also. Line 5 tells us what will happen if we are successful in "setting right what has been spoiled by the father."  We'll look at that tomorrow.

No. 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled  /  Decay  /  Repair:

"Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Has supreme success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Before the starting point, three days.
After the starting point, three days."

          We received this hexagram a little over a month ago - with the same changing lines, Lines 2 and 3, and this time, one additional - Line 5.   This is the Yi's way of saying:  Think this through again. You didn't quite get it. 

       
        The problem that is occupying your mind may seem insurmountable. That's because you are looking at it the wrong way - through a distorted lens of past experiences and old habits and attitudes.

        "Stop and think about it.  Your problems may seem to be overwhelming:  things may seem to be out of hand. Yet the hexagram Repair bodes great success.  . . . Your own past attitude has allowed the damage to occur, making you uniquely equipped to Repair it."  [Wing]

         Ideally, you would spend three full days analyzing the problem, one day resolving to repair the damage, and three days watching carefully to see that the attitudes or behaviors that caused the problem do not return.  But the use of "days" is just a metaphor for setting aside a significant amount of time where your focus is on looking at how you got to this point, what you need to do to change direction, and then resolving to keep moving in the new direction. (Need some help with this? Check out www.manzanitavillage.org.)

     
     The changing lines help us understand what kind of change is needed. We received Lines 2 and 3, and in addition this time, Line 5.

      
      Tomorrow we look at  "setting right what has been spoiled by the mother."

Before Completion, Line 3: 

"Before completion, attack brings misfortune. 
It furthers one to cross the great water." 
 
     If an obstacle appears in your path before your journey is complete, do not "attack" it. 
 
     Receiving this line suggests that the obstacle will be some form of conflict. Misfortune results if you waste your energy actively fighting something that would have faded away by itself. 
 
      Focus on The Big Picture. Set your sights on your long term goal, and do not be distracted. 

     
     What's waiting when you "cross the great water?"  We'll look at the future reading tomorrow.

Before Completion,  Line 2:

“He brakes his wheels.
Perseverance brings good fortune.”

            You are moving in the right direction, and you are almost "there."  But at some point soon, an obstacle will appear in your path.

     Stop and wait until it is removed.  Don't forge ahead and smack into it. And don't try to jump over it, or scramble around it. But don't give up, either.

     
     The Yi is providing you with advance notice:  Do not view a temporary blockage as the end.  You are meant to continue.

            Tomorrow we’ll look at Line 3, the next step Before Completion.

No. 54, The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate:

"The Marrying Maiden.
Undertakings bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further."

   
      This message alerts you to the future of your situation of Contradiction/Opposition.  That main message and changing line said that the other person in this relationship was not an enemy, but  . . .

   
     This hexagram - The Marrying Maiden/Subordination -  often comes as a  warning:  You are in danger of sacrificing too much.

    
      This relationship will require one party - and that's you - to take a subordinate role, on a permanent basis, like the junior wife or concubine in an ancient Chinese household.  Is that what you want?

  
     "If one is unable to submit willingly to the demands of the union, it is better to withdraw at the onset, rather than conduct oneself with dishonesty."  McCarver

Contradiction / Opposition, Line 6:

"Isolated through opposition,
One sees one's companion as a pig covered with dirt,
As a wagon full of devils.
First one draws a bow against him,
Then one lays the bow aside.
He is not a robber; he will woo at the right time.
As one goes, rain falls; then good fortune comes."

    This is one of the longest, most complex "lines" in all of the I Ching.  Do you see yourself in this scenario?

     You feel like you're alone - and that even those closest to you are enemies.  You are defensive, ready to strike the first blow.

     The Yi is telling you:  Don't be too hasty.  No harm is intended.  Things just need more time to work themselves out.  When the time is right - and this may be when things seem at their worst - the tension will be released.  Good fortune will follow.

      In other words, the worst Opposition you face may be your own misunderstanding of the situation.  Don't take any drastic action. 

     We'll look at the future of this reading tomorrow.

No. 38,   Opposition  /  Contradiction:

"Opposition. In small matters, good fortune."

      Are you at odds with someone? Or are you having trouble making up your mind about a course of action - don't know which way to go?

     There is not much you can do about the "outside" opposing forces, except to take only the sort of small steps that will not provoke a strong response.  Right now, if you "push," the other side will definitely  "shove."

     If it's an internal struggle, it is likely that the Opposition comes as some form of peer pressure, which you are rightly resisting. Be guided by the words of The Image:

"Above, fire; below, the lake:
The image of Opposition.
Thus amid all fellowship
The superior man retains his individuality."

     We received Changing Line 6, which is quite detailed in explaining the nature of this Opposition, and what you should do about it. We'll look at it tomorrow.

No. 28, Preponderance of the Great / Breaking Point: 

Deliverance, Line 5:

"If only the superior man can deliver himself,
It brings good fortune.
Thus he proves to inferior men that he is in earnest."

     Deliverance removes obstacles that have been blocking your path. Your progress will be easier now IF . . .

      "IF only" you can deliver yourself - and prove to others that you are dedicated to the path you have chosen.

        Line 5 says you will need to expend some effort to make good use of this Deliverance, for example, to get out of the "emotional rut" we talked about with the main message.  This will demonstrate that there is, indeed, a better way.  Others will then respect, rather than envy, you.

        Don't expect this Deliverance to be a magic carpet ride that will pick you up and whisk you to where you want to go.

        "Only you can save yourself."  [Wing]

No. 40, Deliverance: 

“Deliverance. The southwest furthers.

If there is no longer anything where one has to go,

Return brings good fortune.

It there is still something where one has to go,

Hastening brings good fortune."

     Is the first thought that popped into your head, "Why should I be the one who has to retreat?!"  Good.  This future message has arrived in time. You can get the natural resistance out of your system before you waste time and energy in a useless conflict.
 

      Recognizing the situation that requires Retreat is the key to success. You can make appropriate adjustments in advance. Then your Retreat will merely be a rest stop, not a defeat.

Development  /  Gradual Progress,   Line 4:

"The wild goose gradually draws near the tree.
Perhaps it will find a flat branch.  No blame."

     You are looking for a place to "land."  In your Gradual Progress, you need a place to rest, and very soon, the only thing that will present itself is a tree.  Not ideal for a goose, with its webbed feet.  It needs, at the very least, a big, flat branch to land on.

     "A man's life, too, in the course of its development, often brings him into inappropriate situations, in which he finds it difficult to hold his own without danger." [Wilhelm]

     So - the situation you find yourself approaching isn't ideal. You know this is not "where you want to be."  Remember - this isn't your ultimate destination. There is "no blame" in taking what you need, and then moving on.

    
     This won't be the only stop in your Development. The future holds a challenge, and we'll look at that tomorrow.