Hexagram for Innocence

It advises sincere, unforced action.

Hexagram 25’s Chinese name 無妄 appears in English as “Innocence,” “Without Falsehood,” “No Errancy,” or “Without Embroiling.” Read “Innocence” as uncontrived conduct, not childish purity. The I Ching (Yijing, or Book of Changes) is a Chinese divination classic; this hexagram joins two three-line signs, Thunder below and Heaven above.

Why do translations of 無妄 differ?

The name has several defensible English renderings.

A study published in 2012 compares readings of 無妄 in the received Yijing with the Mawangdui silk manuscript and Shanghai bamboo texts. The Mawangdui copy was transcribed for publication in 1984, showing that this old text has a history of differing witnesses and readings.

The Zhou Yi, an early form of the Book of Changes, is traced to the Western Zhou period around 1000–800 BCE. It began as a divination manual, then gained philosophical and canonical status; by 136 BCE, the Han court had made the Yijing a classic. Later writings, including the Ten Wings, a traditional set of commentaries, developed readings about conduct, order, and change.

What does ䷘ mean when someone sends it?

Treat it as a Yijing reference unless the message gives more context.

After a question about a decision, it may suggest acting plainly or not forcing an outcome. Alone, it does not tell you which translation the sender has in mind.

Unicode’s account treats ䷘ as a written notation sign, not platform artwork. Its shape comes from the font, so different fonts can draw it differently or make its lines hard to recognize.