At this point you have a general overview of the hexagram so now we’ll begin to look at the lines. You’ll recall that there is a genetic continuity that leads to a similarity between all of the 1st lines, all of the 2nd lines, etc. Understanding the basic characteristic of the line is useful. Once you know the keynote of the line, based on its position in the hexagram, you have a reference point, a place you can stand to make sense of the line in the particular hexagram.

For example if you are looking at Gate 4, which has the keynote of Formulization and it is in the 3rd line, you can apply the 3rd line characteristic to the Gate, which would be someone who will try as many formulas as possible to find out what doesn’t work. That’s very different from someone with the 1st line in Gate 4 who would really study formulas in depth.