Etymology

Literally: nine (in the) fifth (position)

The first hexagram of the I Ching is six solid bars from bottom to top. In I Ching divination, a value of nine corresponds to a solid bar (old yang: i.e. yang changing into yin). In the I Ching commentary for the first hexagram (周易/乾), it notes that a value of nine in the fifth position (the second bar from the top) has the following meaning:

• 飛龍在天，利見大人
• The flying dragon is in the heavens, which helps it to see a great man

As a result of the symbolism of the wording in the commentary, this term eventually came to be associated with the emperor.

Pronunciation