Original Meaning of the Zhouyi, Volume 4: Sequence of the Hexagrams

After Heaven and Earth exist, the myriad things come into being. What fills the space between Heaven and Earth is nothing but the myriad things. Therefore the sequence continues with Zhun (Difficulty). Zhun means 'fullness.' Zhun represents things at their first emergence. When things are born, they must be covered: therefore the sequence continues with Meng (Youthful Folly). Meng means 'covered' -- the immaturity of things. The immature must be nourished: therefore the sequence continues with Xu (Waiting). Xu is the Way of food and drink. Food and drink inevitably lead to disputes: therefore the sequence continues with Song (Conflict). Conflict must involve the masses arising: therefore the sequence continues with Shi (The Army). Shi means 'multitude.' Multitudes must have something to unite them: therefore the sequence continues with Bi (Holding Together). Bi means 'closeness.' Closeness must involve some accumulation: therefore the sequence continues with Xiaoxu (Small Taming). After things are tamed there is propriety: therefore the sequence continues with Lv (Treading). Through treading comes peace and security: therefore the sequence continues with Tai (Peace). Tai means 'free flow.' Things cannot flow freely forever: therefore the sequence continues with Pi (Standstill). [The sequence continues through all thirty hexagrams of the Upper Classic, each linked to the next by logical necessity:] Things cannot remain in standstill: therefore Tongren (Fellowship). Those who share fellowship will have things return to them: therefore Dayou (Great Possession). Those with great possessions must not be complacent: therefore Qian (Modesty). Those who are great and modest will surely rejoice: therefore Yu (Enthusiasm). Enthusiasm leads to following: therefore Sui (Following). ... [Through to:] Things cannot remain eternally excessive: therefore Kan (The Abyss). Kan means 'sinking.' What sinks must have something to cling to: therefore Li (Clinging). Li means 'clinging.'

After Heaven and Earth exist, the myriad things come into being. After the myriad things exist, there are male and female. After male and female exist, there are husband and wife. After husband and wife exist, there are father and son. After father and son exist, there are ruler and subject. After ruler and subject exist, there are superior and inferior. After superior and inferior exist, propriety and righteousness have a place to operate. The way of husband and wife must not be impermanent: therefore the sequence continues with Heng (Duration). Heng means 'enduring.' Things cannot dwell in one place forever: therefore Dun (Retreat). Dun means 'withdrawal.' Things cannot withdraw forever: therefore Dazhuang (Great Strength). Things cannot remain strong forever: therefore Jin (Advance). Jin means 'progress.' Progress must involve some injury: therefore Mingyi (Darkening of the Light). Yi means 'wounded.' Those wounded abroad must return home: therefore Jiaren (The Family). When the family way reaches its limit, estrangement follows: therefore Kui (Opposition). Kui means 'estrangement.' Estrangement must involve difficulty: therefore Jian (Obstruction). Jian means 'difficulty.' Things cannot remain difficult forever: therefore Xie (Deliverance). Xie means 'loosening.' Loosening must involve some loss: therefore Sun (Decrease). Decrease without end must lead to increase: therefore Yi (Increase). Increase without end must be broken through: therefore Guai (Breakthrough). Guai means 'decisive.' Decision must involve some encounter: therefore Gou (Encounter). Gou means 'meeting.' When things meet, they gather: therefore Cui (Gathering). Cui means 'assembling.' What gathers and rises is called ascending: therefore Sheng (Ascending). Ascending without end must lead to exhaustion: therefore Kun (Exhaustion). Those exhausted above must turn below: therefore Jing (The Well). The way of the well must be renewed: therefore Ge (Revolution). Nothing transforms things like the cauldron: therefore Ding (The Cauldron). No one presides over sacred vessels like the eldest son: therefore Zhen (Thunder/The Arousing). Zhen means 'movement.' Things cannot move forever, so they must stop: therefore Gen (Mountain/Keeping Still). Gen means 'stopping.' Things cannot stop forever: therefore Jian (Gradual Advance). Jian means 'progressing.' What progresses must have a destination: therefore Guimei (The Marrying Maiden). Those who find their destination must grow great: therefore Feng (Abundance). Feng means 'greatness.' Those who exhaust greatness must lose their home: therefore Lv (The Wanderer). Wanderers without shelter must enter: therefore Xun (Gentleness). Xun means 'entering.' Entering leads to joy: therefore Dui (Joy). Dui means 'joy.' Joy then disperses: therefore Huan (Dispersal). Huan means 'separation.' Things cannot remain separated forever: therefore Jie (Limitation). Limitation with trust: therefore Zhongfu (Inner Truth). Those with trust must put it into practice: therefore Xiaoguo (Slight Excess). Those who exceed must cross over: therefore Jiji (After Completion). But things cannot be exhausted: therefore the sequence ends with Weiji (Before Completion).