Questions & Insights
Understanding the I Ching, hexagrams, and the Six Lines approach to contemplation
What is Six Lines?
Six Lines is a contemplative companion that pairs the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching with masterpiece artworks from art history. Each day presents a single hexagram alongside curated paintings, offering a moment for reflection and insight.
How does the I Ching work in Six Lines?
The I Ching, or Book of Changes, speaks through 64 hexagrams—patterns of six lines, broken and unbroken. Six Lines presents one hexagram daily, paired with artwork that embodies its principle. Each hexagram names a moment: The Creative Force, Difficulty at the Beginning, Keeping Still, Abundance.
What artworks are included?
The collection features 118 masterpiece paintings and drawings from the public domain, including works by William Blake, Johannes Vermeer, Katsushika Hokusai, John Constable, Rembrandt, and Wang Ximeng. Each artwork is carefully matched to resonate with its hexagram's meaning.
Is Six Lines available as a mobile app?
Yes, Six Lines is available as a mobile app for iOS, offering a clean, contemplative interface. The app features full-screen artwork display, detailed narrative treatises connecting each piece to its hexagram, and no tracking or analytics—just the lines, the image, and the moment they illuminate together.
Download for iOS↗Does Six Lines respect privacy?
Absolutely. Six Lines collects no personal data, uses no analytics, and includes no tracking. All preferences are stored locally on your device. This is contemplative software designed for reflection, not surveillance.
Read our Privacy Policy →How are artworks chosen for each hexagram?
Each pairing is deliberate, not arbitrary. Artworks embody hexagram principles: Turner's railway piercing fog becomes Waiting for Nourishment, Gentileschi's decisive blade becomes Biting Through, Bellini's Venetian procession becomes Approach. The visual and textual work together as one contemplative moment.
Can I see all 64 hexagrams at once?
The constraint is the point. Six Lines presents one hexagram per day, calculated deterministically from the date. This encourages contemplation over consumption. Return tomorrow for a different configuration. The rhythm of daily engagement creates space for deeper reflection.
Are all artworks in the public domain?
Yes. All artworks are either created before 1929 (public domain in the United States) or by artists who died 70+ years ago (public domain internationally). Sources include the Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access, Cleveland Museum of Art Open Access, Wikimedia Commons, and the National Gallery of Art Open Access. Attribution and source URLs are maintained for all works.