I Ching hexagram 1
Hexagram 1: Qian
Heaven · 乾為天 · Heaven above, Heaven below
Strong creative energy is at work, and the skill lies in knowing when to push and when to hold back.
What this hexagram is about
Picture a stretch when your own drive is doing most of the work, as with a new project or a decision you are ready to push on. The text follows that drive from a quiet start to full strength and then to overreach.
A way to think about it
Your energy is strongest somewhere right now, and it is worth asking whether it points at something you would still choose after a good night's sleep.
The text, with Legge's translation
Judgment
元亨。利貞。
Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm.
The judgment praises strong, creative energy that starts things on a grand scale. It adds that it pays to stay steady and correct, so that the strength has a direction.
Image
天行健，君子以自強不息。
Heaven, in its motion, (gives the idea of) strength. The superior man, in accordance with this, nerves himself to ceaseless activity.
Line 1 · 初九
潛龍勿用。
In the first (or lowest) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon lying hid (in the deep). It is not the time for active doing.
A dragon lies hidden in the deep, which means this is no time to put your strength to use. It is real, and the moment has not yet come.
Line 2 · 九二
見龍在田，利見大人。
In the second line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon appearing in the field. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
The dragon has surfaced in an open field, so your ability is starting to show, and it helps to meet a person of real standing at this point.
Line 3 · 九三
君子終日乾乾，夕惕若；厲，无咎。
In the third line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the superior man active and vigilant all the day, and in the evening still careful and apprehensive. (The position is) dangerous, but there will be no mistake.
A capable person works hard all day and stays wary even after dark. The position is risky, and that constant care is why no one can fault you.
Line 4 · 九四
或躍在淵，无咎。
In the fourth line, undivided, (we see its subject as the dragon looking) as if he were leaping up, but still in the deep. There will be no mistake.
The dragon may leap, or it may settle back into the deep pool. Trying a jump while keeping the pool to fall back to is sound, and no mistake is made either way.
Line 5 · 九五
飛龍在天，利見大人。
In the fifth line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon on the wing in the sky. It will be advantageous to meet with the great man.
The dragon flies free in the open sky at the full height of its strength, and as in line two it helps to meet a person of real standing.
Line 6 · 上九
亢龍，有悔。
In the sixth (or topmost) line, undivided, (we see its subject as) the dragon exceeding the proper limits. There will be occasion for repentance.
A dragon that has climbed too high has nowhere left to go, and regret follows. Strength pushed past its limit leaves you stranded at the top.
用九
見羣龍无首，吉。
(The lines of this hexagram are all strong and undivided, as appears from) the use of the number nine. If the host of dragons (thus) appearing were to divest themselves of their heads, there would be good fortune.
When every line is strong, the text pictures a group of dragons with no leader among them and calls it good. Strength does best when nobody insists on being the head.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi, public domain. English: James Legge, The Yi King, Sacred Books of the East vol. 16 (1882), public domain. Plain notes written by this site.
Questions
I cast hexagram 1. Which text do I read?
With no changing lines, read the judgment: "Khien (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and firm." With changing lines, read the lines that changed. When several change at once, Zhu Xi's rules decide which text leads, and the casting page marks it for you.
What are the nuclear, opposite and inverted hexagrams of Qian?
The nuclear hexagram is Qian itself. The opposite is 2. Kun (Earth). The inverted hexagram is Qian itself, since the figure reads the same upside down.