Within the I Ching, the section known as the Judgment (Tuan, or gua ci) offers the core pronouncement of a hexagram. It gives a concise, sometimes cryptic assessment of the situation at hand, indicating the overall tenor of events and whether they are favorable, difficult, or demand particular care. This text outlines the central meaning of the hexagram and suggests the general course of action, including what kind of response, restraint, or perseverance is called for. It functions as the primary oracle in divination, presenting the foundational interpretation of the hexagram’s significance and its likely outcome.

The Image (Xiang) section approaches the same hexagram from a complementary angle, working through symbol rather than verdict. It reflects on the two trigrams that compose the hexagram and describes their relationship as an image drawn from nature or human life—such as the interaction of heaven and earth, or water and fire. From this symbolic picture, it derives guidance for conduct, indicating how a wise person should navigate the situation through attitude, character, and concrete behavior. By contemplating how the natural forces represented by the trigrams interact, the Image text suggests how to embody the hexagram’s principles in daily life, turning the oracle’s insight into ethical and spiritual practice.