What does hexagram mean?
A hexagram is a geometric figure consisting of two equilateral triangles placed one over the other, producing a six-pointed star. It is strongly associated with the Star of David and is also an important symbol in Judaism, though the geometrical form is not exclusive to that tradition. In the I Ching, a hexagram is a diagram of six lines, each either broken or unbroken; the possible combinations form 64 configurations used in traditional Chinese divination. The word therefore combines a precise mathematical meaning with broader religious, cultural, and philosophical associations. In ordinary usage, “hexagram” usually refers to the six-pointed figure, while the I Ching sense is identified by context. Its distinctive history makes it useful when discussing symbolism, comparative religion, geometry, or the vocabulary of divination.
nounA six-pointed star formed by superimposing two equilateral triangles, or, in the context of the I Ching, a diagram composed of six broken or unbroken lines. The term can also refer to one of the 64 symbolic configurations used in the I Ching.
- A six-pointed star formed by two superimposed equilateral triangles.
- A six-line diagram made up of broken and unbroken lines in the I Ching, especially one of the 64 configurations used for divination.
"The museum displayed a large hexagram beside an explanation of the I Ching."
"The artist painted a gold hexagram in the center of the ceiling."
"She consulted the I Ching and drew the hexagram corresponding to the question before her."
The standard plural is hexagrams, used for both geometric figures and I Ching configurations.
"The scholar compared several hexagrams from different translations of the I Ching."
A hexagram is where geometry meets divination: six lines in the I Ching, or two triangles in the Star of David.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hexagram come from?
The word entered English through New Latin, based on the Greek hexagrammaton, a term for a figure or arrangement made from six lines. Greek hexa- means “six,” and gramma refers to a line, stroke, or written character. The modern geometric sense developed from the older idea of a six-line figure and now commonly denotes the overlapping-triangle star.
Related word forms
How hexagram is actually used
In general English, the word most often denotes the six-pointed geometric figure. In discussions of the I Ching, it refers to a six-line configuration, which may be represented by a traditional diagram rather than by a star.
Easily confused with hexagram
A hexagram is a six-pointed star made from two overlapping triangles, whereas a hexagon is a six-sided polygon.