You may print the above diagram out or save it if you like. For your convenience to study, you may prepare six coins or six small sheets of cardboard marked with broken line on one side and unbroken line on the other side. You may arrange them on the tool when you study hexagrams and statements.

Each hexagram is composed of six Yao (broken lines and unbroken lines) in six fixed positions. Six positions are fixed. The bottom, third and fifth are Yang positions. The second, fourth and the top are Yin positions. Yao (lines) can be changed. The changes of Yin-yang nature generate sixty-four hexagrams. Yang Yao (unbroken line) locating in Yang position, or Yin Yao (broken line) locating in Yin position are known as "in proper/correct position". For example, both of the fifth and sixth hexagram, Xu and Song, has Yang Yao (unbroken line) in the fifth position. The fifth position is yang position and also is Heaven and Center position, therefore the line statements (Yaoci) of both hexagrams seems good, and the image statements (Xiangci) of both hexagrams reads "the central and correct place/position".

The beginning/initial line and the fourth line have mutual relations of stimulating and responding to each other. It is the same to the second and the fifth, the third and the top. For example, The Tuanci (commentary, appended hexagram statement) of the thirteenth hexagram, TongRen, reads "in the central and correct position, and responding". It is because the nine (Yangyao, unbroken line) in fifth responds to the six (Yinyao, broken line) in second. In general, if lines are the same in nature then they are antagonistic to each other. If the lines are different of nature then they harmonize well with each other. This mutual relation applies to adjacent lines. The forty-third hexagram, the line statement (Yaoci) of the beginning/initial reads "to go forward will not win/succeed/be victorious". It is because there is a Yang Yao in the second position and the nine in the second rests on the nine (yang yao) of the beginning/initial.

In statements, YangYao (unbroken lines) are often said to be strong, and YinYao (broken lines) are often said to be weak. It is because Yin and Yang just are two opoosite natures. The strong and weak are the actions. Inherent nature can not cause "changes", but the actions can. The "strong" and "weak", "activity" and "still" subtly indicate the actions of and the intercourse between Yin and Yang.

I hope this study tool is helpful to you.