The Five-Phase I Ching

(Copyright © 2003 C. J. Lofting)

Five-Phase and the I Ching - FIRE | DISTRIBUTION | HEART

Continuing the focus of five-phase theory in the I Ching we here focus on Fire and the activity of distribution. The ruling hexagram is that of hexagram 30. In this hexagram the focus is on Guidance and establishing a sense of direction, an ideology if you like. The focus reflects the method of fire where, given a starting point it will spread-out in all directions, encompassing all that it comes across (as long as it is burnable! - as we shall see the concept of consumption within distribution is reflected in the closure focus of hexagram 63, covered later) Distribution is controlled by Consumption and controls Exchange. It is supported by Production and supports Filtration (as in gives it something to filter).

As fire moves out so it converts difference to sameness, all is reduced to 'ashes' and as such these symbolise the established perspective, the 'ideology' distributed. [Help in understanding hexagram layouts]

FIRE - The Realm of Distribution [Fire, The Clinging]

"[God] causes creatures to perceive one another in the sign of the Clinging"

Hexagram 55 reflects the concept of production within distribution in the form of the MANY, the abundance of forms present, the rich vein of 'new' products waiting for distribution. There is an element of a need to integrate pre distribute and in the traditional text there is warning that the abundance does not discriminate - there is 'bad' here as well as 'good' -

55 Abundance (Fullness)
Abounding,Overflowing,Diversity
In a context of guidance we utilise (sudden) awareness.

"FENG : abundant, plentiful, copious; grow wealthy; at the point of overflowing; exuberant, fertile, prolific; rich in talents, property, friends; fullness, culmination; ripe, sumptuous, fat."ERANOS p586

The trigram of Fire reflects the distribution phase. The trigram of Thunder reflects the 'raw' production phase. The overall theme is twofold - (a) the distribution of production leads to abundance BUT it also reflects OVER-production - too much and so possible problems (just as there is too much 'good' so there will also be too much 'bad')

Part of SHENG reversal - The expression exhausts where it came from.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
METAL (competitive Exchange)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
WATER (Consumption)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
METAL (competitive Exchange)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
FIRE (Distribution)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
WOOD (original Production)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
EARTH (personal Filtration)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
WOOD (refined Production)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
EARTH (social Filtration)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
WATER (Consumption)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
FIRE (Distribution)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
EARTH (personal Filtration)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
WOOD (refined Production)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
EARTH (social Filtration)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 37 reflects the concept of production of a manufactured form where the focus is on a rigid structure that serves to 'unite' - expressed here as the distribution of the concept of 'family' or 'clan' and a such a level of 'cultivation' is present (the hexagram also reflects the concept of tension release available through rigid structure) -

37 The Family (Clan)
Rigid Structuring (releases tension)
In the context of guidance we utilise influence.

"CHIA JEN -

CHIA : home, house, household, family; domestic, within doors; live in. The ideogram: roof and pig or dog, the most valued domestic animals...

JEN : humans individually and collectively; an individual; humankind." ERANOS p415

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Wind reflects Production (through re-production, cultivation). The relationship is expresses as use of rigid structure to enable tension release (a quality context, the home, family, clan, nation is the foundation and acts to release tension).

Part of the SHENG reversal. The expression exhausts where it came from.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
METAL (competitive Exchange)
26 04 41 52 22 18 23 27
WATER (Consumption)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
METAL (competitive Exchange)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
FIRE (Distribution)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
WOOD (original Production)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
EARTH (personal Filtration)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
WOOD (refined Production)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
EARTH (social Filtration)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
WATER (Consumption)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
FIRE (Distribution)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
EARTH (personal Filtration)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
WOOD (refined Production)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
EARTH (social Filtration)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
WOOD (original Production)

Both of these WOOD-associated hexagrams contain an element of a need for structuring, reflecting the requirements of distribution.

Hexagram 30 is described above and more so below -

30 The Clinging, Fire
Guiding, Directing (an Ideology)
From guidance comes direction

"LI : glowing light, spreading in all directions; light-giving, discriminating, articulating; divide and arrange in order; the power of consciousness. The ideogram: bird and weird, the magical fire-bird with brilliant plumage."ERANOS p353

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The overall focus is on guidance and a sense of direction.

Self-referencing and so reinforced.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
METAL (competitive Exchange)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
WATER (Consumption)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
METAL (competitive Exchange)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
FIRE (Distribution)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
WOOD (original Production)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
EARTH (personal Filtration)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
WOOD (refined Production)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
EARTH (social Filtration)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
WATER (Consumption)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
FIRE (Distribution)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
EARTH (personal Filtration)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
WOOD (refined Production)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
EARTH (social Filtration)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 36 is the first of the filtering processes of EARTH and reflects the nature of being uncompromising - as is a fire as it spreads. Here the uncompromising attitude reflects the filtering process at work where one is required to 'hide the light' as is one required to be uncompromising in actions -

36 Darkening of the Light
Uncompromising
In the context of guidance we utilise trust.

"MING YI -

MING : light-giving aspect of burning, heavenly bodies and consciousness; with fire, the symbol of the trigram radiance, LI [the clinging]..

YI : keep out of sight; remote, distant from the center; equalize by lowering; squat, level, make ordinary; pacified; colorless; cut, wound, destroy, exterminate." ERANOS p406

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (through faith, given rules). The focus is on the affect of filtration upon distribution (blocking/hiding the light) but more so the focus on faith in distribution - an overall sense of being uncompromising.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
METAL (competitive Exchange)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
WATER (Consumption)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
METAL (competitive Exchange)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
FIRE (Distribution)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
WOOD (original Production)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
EARTH (personal Filtration)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
WOOD (refined Production)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
EARTH (social Filtration)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
WATER (Consumption)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
FIRE (Distribution)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
EARTH (personal Filtration)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
WOOD (refined Production)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
EARTH (social Filtration)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 22 continues the filtering process in the form of facading, of glossing over things as well as attaching elements to the surface of something to make it more 'attractive', richer in quality, and as such to get through filters, to 'dazzle' if need be and so aid in distribution -

22 Grace
Adorning, Facading. Gloss
In a context of guidance we utilise discernment.

"PI : embellish, ornament, deck out, beautify; variegated (flowers); elegant, brilliant; also: energetic, passionate, eager, intrepid; capable of great effort; brave. The ideogram : cowrie shells (money) and flowers, linking ornaments and value."ERANOS p284

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Mountain reflect Filtration-through-discernment. Distribution through Filtration is here expressed in the form of adornment, facading, gloss-over.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
METAL (competitive Exchange)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
WATER (Consumption)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
METAL (competitive Exchange)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
FIRE (Distribution)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
WOOD (original Production)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
EARTH (personal Filtration)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
WOOD (refined Production)
16 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
EARTH (social Filtration)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
WATER (Consumption)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
FIRE (Distribution)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
EARTH (personal Filtration)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
WOOD (refined Production)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
EARTH (social Filtration)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 49 reflects the process of exchange, here presented in the form of a concept of revelation, revolution, and of unmasking in general - note how this follows exercises in 'masking' at the filter phase -

49 Revolution (Molting)
Unmasking
with guidance we utilise intensity

"KO : take off the covering, skin or hide; change, renew, molt; remove, peel off; revolt, overthrow, degrade from office; leather armour, protection." ERANOS p530

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Lake reflects cooperative Exchange. Distribution through cooperative exchange is expressed as re-newing, revealing the hidden, unmasking, that is extended into the more oppositional concept of revolution.

Part of the KO cycle - a circumstance is replaced and so destroyed.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
METAL (competitive Exchange)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
WATER (Consumption)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
METAL (competitive Exchange)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
FIRE (Distribution)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
WOOD (original Production)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
EARTH (personal Filtration)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
WOOD (refined Production)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
EARTH (social Filtration)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
WATER (Consumption)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
FIRE (Distribution)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
EARTH (personal Filtration)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
WOOD (refined Production)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
EARTH (social Filtration)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 13 continues the exchange focus through emphasis on forming associations with the 'like-minded and as such encouraging exchange and so distributions at the local level -

13 Fellowship with Men
Associating, Like-mindedness
In a context of guidance we utilise singlemindedness.

"T'UNG JEN -

T'UNG : harmonize, unite, equalize, assemble; agree, share in; together, at once, same time and place. The ideogram: cover and mouth, silent understanding and perfect fit...

JEN : humans individually and collectively; an individual; humankind" ERANOS p206

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Heaven reflects Exchange (competitive, opposition). Distribution through competitive exchange reflects associating with 'like-minded for business.

KO cycle. A circumstance is replaced and so destroyed.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
METAL (competitive Exchange)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
WATER (Consumption)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
METAL (competitive Exchange)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
FIRE (Distribution)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
WOOD (original Production)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
EARTH (personal Filtration)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
WOOD (refined Production)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
EARTH (social Filtration)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
WATER (Consumption)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
FIRE (Distribution)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
EARTH (personal Filtration)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
WOOD (refined Production)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
EARTH (social Filtration)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 63 moves us into the consumption phase and so the 'end' of the cycle, here captured in the completion of distribution but also recognising the beginning of a new cycle -

63 After Completion
Correct Sequencing
In a context of guidance we utilise control.

"CHI CHI -

CHI : completed, done; has occurred; past tense of not-yet, WEI..

CHI : cross a river at a ford or shallow place; overcome an obstacle, embark on a course of action; help, relieve, cease. The ideogram: water and level, running smooth over a flat bottom."ERANOS p656

The trigram of Fire reflects Distribution. The trigram of Water reflects Consumption. Distribution through consumption represents completion.

This is a reversal in that the ONLY path from fire to water is where fire injures water and so reflects a Ko reversal.

Changing Line Matrix

(numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)

Five Phase Dynamic Ordering

(read bottom right to top left)

64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30
METAL (competitive Exchange)
11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24
WATER (Consumption)

04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22
METAL (cooperative Exchange)
14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21
METAL (competitive Exchange)

06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13
FIRE (Distribution)
26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27
METAL (cooperative Exchange)

59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37
WOOD (original Production)
43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17
EARTH (personal Filtration)

40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55
WOOD (refined Production)
05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03
EARTH (social Filtration)

07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36
WATER (Consumption)
01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25
FIRE (Distribution)

47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49
EARTH (personal Filtration)
34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51
WOOD (refined Production)

29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63
EARTH (social Filtration)
09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42
WOOD (original Production)

Hexagram 30 captures the full essence of Distribution with its overall focus on expanding outwards and a general focus on guidance and establishing a sense of direction. The Quality Matrix material identifies two hexagrams as reflecting the 'raw' and 'refined' expressions of hexagram 30. The raw nature is described by analogy to the under-stated qualities of hexagram 55 [link given above] where there is plenty of product around and so available. On the other hand, the refined nature of hexagram 30 is described by analogy to the over-stated qualities of hexagram 59 (dispelling illusions, dispersal ) where the act of distribution is an act of dispersal.

Changing Line Matrix (numbers read bottom right to top left, lowest energy to highest)		Five Phase Dynamic Ordering (read bottom right to top left)
59 61 20 42 57 09 53 37	METAL (competitive Exchange)	43 47 58 31 49 45 28 17	WATER (Consumption)
06 10 12 25 44 01 33 13	METAL (cooperative Exchange)	09 59 61 53 37 20 57 42	METAL (competitive Exchange)
04 41 23 27 18 26 52 22	FIRE (Distribution)	01 06 10 33 13 12 44 25	METAL (cooperative Exchange)
64 38 35 21 50 14 56 30	WOOD (original Production)	11 07 19 15 36 02 46 24	EARTH (personal Filtration)
29 60 08 03 48 05 39 63	WOOD (refined Production)	34 40 54 62 55 16 32 51	EARTH (social Filtration)
47 58 45 17 28 43 31 49	WATER (Consumption)	26 04 41 52 22 23 18 27	FIRE (Distribution)
07 19 02 24 46 11 15 36	EARTH (personal Filtration)	05 29 60 39 63 08 48 03	WOOD (refined Production)
40 54 16 51 32 34 62 55	EARTH (social Filtration)	14 64 38 56 30 35 50 21	WOOD (original Production)