What Is the Taiji and the Eight Trigrams? Exploring the Cosmic Symbols of Change
As the indigenous religion of China, Taoism is not only rooted in profound philosophy but also gave rise to a wide range of spiritual and practical traditions. From talismans and alchemy, to feng shui compasses, BaZi fortune-telling, and the system of Taiji and the Eight Trigrams, many of these practices are still known—if not practiced—today.
But what exactly is the Taiji and Eight Trigrams (太极八卦)?
(Sterling Silver Tai Chi Bagua Fish Ring)
The Eight Trigrams(Bagua): Mapping the Universe with Symbolic Code
The Eight Trigrams (Bagua) are a fundamental concept in the ancient Taoist classic The Book of Changes (I Ching), which explores how everything in the universe constantly shifts and transforms. The trigrams are made up of three lines, each of which can be either a solid line (yang “—”) or a broken line (yin “- -”). These basic symbols combine into eight primary trigrams:
-
Qián (☰) – Heaven: strength, creation, leadership
-
Kūn (☷) – Earth: receptivity, nurturing, support
-
Zhèn (☳) – Thunder: movement, awakening, action
-
Xùn (☴) – Wind: gentleness, entry, communication
-
Kǎn (☵) – Water: danger, depth, nourishment
-
Lí (☲) – Fire: light, passion, attachment
-
Gèn (☶) – Mountain: stillness, stability, boundaries
-
Duì (☱) – Lake: joy, interaction, gathering
Each trigram symbolizes one of nature’s fundamental forces, and together they form a symbolic framework used to understand both natural and human change.
By stacking one trigram over another, these eight images expand into 64 hexagrams—offering a more comprehensive view of the patterns of life, time, and transformation. This system doesn't just describe external phenomena—it explores how everything is interconnected, cyclical, and alive.
(Yin-Yang Energy Taiji Woven Bracelet)
From the Void to All Things: The Philosophy Behind Taiji and Yin-Yang
At the heart of this system lies the concept of Taiji (太极)—the Great Ultimate. In Taoist cosmology, Taiji emerges from the primordial state of Wuji (无极), a formless void where nothing is yet defined.
From this stillness, yin and yang are born: two opposing yet interdependent forces. Together they form the Two Modes (Liang Yi 两仪), which give rise to the Four Symbols (Si Xiang 四象), and eventually the Eight Trigrams (Bagua 八卦).
This philosophical sequence reflects the Taoist view that all things in the universe carry dual aspects—light and dark, motion and stillness, inner and outer—and that these opposites are not enemies, but complementary partners in the great dance of existence.
Everything in life—birth and death, gain and loss, joy and sorrow—flows from this eternal interaction. The trigrams, therefore, are not just symbols—they are a language of energy, a cosmic code that reflects the ever-changing rhythms of the world.