爻

yáo

A line or element of a divination hexagram.

Meaning

The individual yin or yang lines that constitute a divination hexagram. In rare or early contexts, it may denote crossing, intertwining, or alternating patterns.

Grammar and usage

Primarily used as a noun referring to a line, a marker, or a specific position within a sequence.

Translator notes

In philosophical or divinatory texts, determine if the glyph refers to a static position or carries an implicit sense of transition or mutation (e.g., "changing lines" 變爻).

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.