I Ching (易經 Yi Jing)
Decision Making Assistant
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| moving yin | 6 | |
| yang | 7 | |
| yin | 8 | |
| moving yang | 9 |
| 111 | 100 | 010 | 001 | 000 | 011 | 101 | 110 | ||
| 111 | 1 | 34 | 5 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 43 | Qián: the Creative, heavenHeaven: masculine, creative, active |
| 100 | 25 | 51 | 3 | 27 | 24 | 42 | 21 | 17 | Zhèn: the Arousing, thunderThunder: movement, danger |
| 010 | 6 | 40 | 29 | 4 | 7 | 59 | 64 | 47 | Kǎn: the Abysmal, waterWater: the moon, a pit, danger |
| 001 | 33 | 62 | 39 | 52 | 15 | 53 | 56 | 31 | Kên: Keeping Still, mountainMountain: stagnation |
| 000 | 12 | 16 | 8 | 23 | 2 | 20 | 35 | 45 | Kūn: the Receptive, earthEarth: feminine, receptive, passive |
| 011 | 44 | 32 | 48 | 18 | 46 | 57 | 50 | 28 | Xùn: the Gentle, wind, woodWind: wood, gentle, penetrating |
| 101 | 13 | 55 | 63 | 22 | 36 | 37 | 30 | 49 | Lí: the Clinging, fireFire: the sun, brightness, beauty |
| 110 | 10 | 54 | 60 | 41 | 19 | 61 | 38 | 58 | Duì: the Joyous, lakeLake: pleasure, satisfaction |
1. 乾 Qián / Pure Creative Force (Heaven)
THE JUDGMENT
THE CREATIVE- Original success from the source.
It benefits to remain firm in what is right.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Hidden dragon: Do not take action.
[Your potential is present/latent and not yet ready to appear/emerge.]
Nine in the second place means:
Dragon emerging in the open field.
It benefits to see the great person.
[Creative energy is starting to manifest visibly; proper guidance is valuable.]
Nine in the third place means:
The noble person is creatively active [diligent, unceasing, vigilant] all day.
At night, alert as if in danger.
No blame.
[Sustained effort with ongoing alertness prevents mistakes and ensures sustained momentum.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Wavering leap over the abyss.
[“At times he leaps in the chasm” - Testing one’s strength before full ascent, not danger per se.]
No blame.
[Pivotal transition - advance cautiously. A trial movement upward — neither rushing nor holding back.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Dragon soaring in the sky/heavens.
It benefits to see the great person.
[Creative power at its peak; wise cooperation brings success.]
Nine at the top means:
An arrogant [overextended] dragon will have cause for regret.
[Pushing creative force too far leads to arrogance and downfall — know when to stop ascending.]
When all the lines are nines, it means:
Appearing dragons without a head [without a single leader].
Good fortune.
[Pure creative energy flows collectively without dominance (with no single dominant ruler/leader).]
2. 坤 Kūn / The Receptive (Earth)
THE JUDGMENT
THE RECEPTIVE affords prime success.
Beneficial is the perseverance of a mare.
For the superior person, having somewhere to go:
To take the lead brings confusion [bewilderment];
To follow brings attainment of a [proper] lord.
[Aligning with the right person, path, or principle brings success]
In the southwest, one gains companions [allies].
In the northeast, one loses companions [allies].
Persevering in calm [steady, quiet, secure] receptivity brings good fortune.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Treading on frost:
Solid ice is coming.
[Caution — small issues are building/solidifying toward bigger restrictions. Act before they harden.]
Six in the second place means:
Straight, square, great [these describe Earth’s virtues].
Even without practice [repetition, being trained],
Nothing is not beneficial.
[Everything aligns beneficially through receptivity (natural correctness/sincerity) - no need to overprepare or push.]
Six in the third place means:
Holding pattern [qualities, latent brilliance] within,
One can persevere correctly.
Perhaps following in the king's service:
Without claiming accomplishment,
Yet bringing things to completion.
[Hide your strengths/potential, maintain correctness - don't seek credit; focus on completion.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Tying the sack. No blame, no praise.
[Seal things up tightly (like tying a sack) for neutrality. Doing nothing extra is the right action.]
Six in the fifth place means:
A yellow lower garment [lower skirt].
Prime good fortune.
[Modesty and grounded virtue in a position of influence (the center position) yield great rewards.]
Six at the top means:
Dragons fight in the open fields.
Their blood is dark and yellow.
[Over-yielding turns chaotic/disorderly, leads to conflict in which both sides are harmed; boundaries are needed.]
When all the lines are sixes, it means:
Beneficial to be perpetually correct (persevering).
[Pure receptivity requires eternal vigilance and correctness to avoid weakness/dissolution.]
3. 屯 Zhūn / Sprouting (Initial Difficulty)
THE JUDGMENT
SPROUTING - Great originating success [great beginning - success later],
Beneficial to persevere [to divine].
Do not use [this moment] to have somewhere to go.
Beneficial to establish lords [capable leaders (or to gather guidance)].
[This is the moment when something new is trying to emerge—like a seed pushing through hard soil or a baby struggling to be born.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Hesitating, circling.
Beneficial to abide [and] divine [again].
Beneficial to establish a lord [proper leadership (or guidance)].
[Everything feels wobbly - stop, stay where you are, divine again, and gather helpers/support before acting.]
Six in the second place means:
Sprouting, [yet] halting.
Riding horses, arrayed in rows [in ranks].
[Riding horses in circles / hesitating. Protective delay. The hesitation prevents rushing into danger.]
They are not bandits/robbers,
[But] seek marriage.
The woman divines:
Does not bear a child [now].
Ten years, then she bears.
[In the thick of early confusion — do not force progress; alliance is coming but not yet ripe — wait.]
Six in the third place means:
Pursuing a deer without a forester
[You] enter the forest [blindly].
For the noble one, the subtle signs indicate
Going forward is worse than stopping.
To go brings regret.
[Going deeper into the unknown alone (without guidance) leads to getting lost - abandon the chase now.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Riding horses, arrayed in rows [in ranks].
[Riding horses in circles represent inner conflict and hesitation about which way to go]
[If] seeking marriage [alliance]
[Then] to go is auspicious.
Nothing that is not beneficial.
[The time for alliance has arrived — move forward.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Its fat [resources, richness] is blocked/constrained [obstructed or "stored"].
Small steadfastness/constancy [divination]: auspicious.
Great steadfastness/constancy [divination]: ominous.
[You possess resources/richness but cannot yet distribute them effectively - small steps succeed, big moves fail now.]
Six at the top means:
Riding horses, arrayed in rows [in formation].
[The horses are still circling, but now there is no way out and no help to be found]
Weeping tears of blood, continuously flowing.
[This represents despair and being trapped in the chaotic "sprouting" phase]
[Exhaustion and grief; still circling, still undecided, the difficulty has reached its peak before ending.]
4. 蒙 Méng / Youthful Ignorance (Inexperience, Enshrouding Ignorance, Unformed Potential)
THE JUDGMENT
YOUTHFUL IGNORANCE brings about success.
It is not I who seek the youthful ignorant,
The youthful ignorant seek me.
The first divination informs/instructs.
To ask a second and third time
Is to show disrespect/profanity [by pestering/improper persistence].
To show disrespect is not to be informed/guided.
It is beneficial to be steadfast.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
To enlighten/educate the ignorant
It is beneficial to use firm guidance/discipline [or a model person].
It is beneficial to remove fetters and shackles [hindrances and restraints].
To proceed further [too far] brings humiliation/disgrace.
[To get out of ignorance, firm but fair rules/examples are to be used; release restrictions gradually.]
Nine in the second place means:
To embrace [take on] the ignorant brings good fortune.
To take a wife [accept a woman]
Brings good fortune.
The son is capable of managing the household.
[Accepting and containing ignorance or uncertainties leads to good outcomes.]
Six in the third place means:
Do not take a maiden [in marriage] who
Upon seeing a wealthy/strong man,
Loses control of herself.
Nothing is beneficial.
[Avoid alliances, choices, or pursuits driven by superficial attraction or greed - they collapse under pressure.]
Six in the fourth place means:
To be trapped/hemmed in by ignorance
Brings regret/humiliation/shame.
[Stuck in the midst of obscurity, (surrounded by yin lines), hemmed in by ignorance or confusion.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Childlike ignorance brings good fortune.
[Innocent, unpretentious ignorance is lucky — humility/openness attracts help without resistance.]
Nine at the top means:
Striking the ignorant -
It is not beneficial
To act as a bandit/aggressor.
It is beneficial
To resist/ward off aggressors.
[Dispelling obscurity forcefully - correct ignorance/confusion through defense/firmnes, not offense/aggression.]
5. 需 Xū / Waiting (Needing)
THE JUDGMENT
WAITING. With sincerity and confidence [inner trust],
There is brightness and success.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
It is favorable to cross the great river/stream/water.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Waiting in the outskirts/open field.
It is beneficial to use constancy.
No blame.
[In a safe, distant position, maintain steady persistence without advancing yet - wait calmly and do not rush.]
Nine in the second place means:
Waiting on the sand.
There is a little gossip/talk.
In the end, good fortune.
[Tolerate/ignore temporary friction or rumors — patience turns it positive; don't react defensively.]
Nine in the third place means:
Waiting in the mud
Brings about the arrival of robbers/bandits.
[If stuck, reassess, forcing things invites trouble: haste here draws adversaries; seek higher ground.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Waiting in blood [in a bloody struggle].
[But then] emerging/comes out of the pit/cave.
[A turning point from severe crisis to release; endure the struggle, and emergence/recovery follows.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Waiting with wine and food.
Firm correctness/perseverance brings good fortune.
[Confident, enjoyable, secure and well-supported waiting where needs are met. Stay correct and success comes naturally.]
Six at the top means:
One enters the pit/cave.
There come three uninvited guests [not enemies, not friends, just unforeseen factors].
Respect them, and in the end
There will be good fortune.
[Surprises in isolation; humility toward the unforeseen resolves positively. Cooperation brings good fortune.]
6. 訟 Sòng / Contention (Litigation, Conflicts, Quarrels)
THE JUDGMENT
CONTENTION. There is sincerity,
Yet obstructed/blocked; be cautious.
Moderation/centrality leads to good fortune.
Being firm and persisting to the end [of conflict] brings misfortune.
It is beneficial to see/consult the great person.
It does not benefit to cross/ford the great river.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Not perpetuating/dragging out the affair [conflict].
There is a little gossip/rumor.
In the end, good fortune.
[The early stage of a dispute where it's minor and not worth dragging out.]
Nine in the second place means:
Not able to prevail/win in contention.
He returns and flees [to avoid escalation]
(To) his town of
Three hundred households [a safe base - moderate community].
[There will be] no trouble/calamity.
[Recognizing when a fight is unwinnable and prioritizing self-preservation over pride.]
Six in the third place means:
Nourishing oneself on ancient virtue.
Being steadfast/firm is dangerous.
In the end, good fortune.
Possibly following the king's affairs;
Do not claim achievements/accomplishments.
[Draw strength from your moral foundation or history (hold to humble virtue); avoid ambition in disputes.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Not able to prevail in contention.
He turns back
And submits to (accepts) the mandate.
Changing to find peace/security in steadfastness/correctness.
Good fortune.
[You can't prevail, but instead of fleeing, you turn back, accept the situation (rightful authority) and adapt.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Contention before Him.
Primordial [primal, original] good fortune.
[Disputes brought before a wise/fair/just arbiter end in profound good fortune for all.]
Nine at the top means:
Perhaps he is granted a leather belt [as a reward].
By the end of the morning,
It will be stripped/taken from him three times.
[This warns against victories won through force/over-aggression; hollow victories don't last.]
7. 師 Shī / The Army (The Multitude, Troops)
THE JUDGMENT
THE ARMY. Perseverance [in correctness] .
[With] a mature person [as a leader]: auspicious.
No blame.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
The army sets out with [strict] discipline.
If not well/good [disciplined/regulated], misfortune.
[At the start (of a plan or mobilization), success begins with strict discipline/order and rules.]
Nine in the second place means:
[Being] in the midst of the army.
Auspicious. No blame.
The king bestows a triple decoration/honor.
[Positioned centrally and strongly (like a general amid troops), this brings good fortune without error.]
Six in the third place means:
The army perhaps carries corpses [in carts].
[Burdened by consequences, mismanagement, demoralization]
Misfortune.
[Weak, exhausted and overextended, the army hauls dead bodies. Burdened by mistakes/consequences; stop and reorganize.]
Six in the fourth place means:
The army camps on the left flank [withdraws (deploying aside) to a defensive position].
No blame.
[Strategically retreating or positioning defensively (in supporting position), this prudence avoids blame.]
Six in the fifth place means:
In the fields there is game [opportunity].
Favorable to capture it [and] speak [firmly/decisively].
No blame.
The eldest son leads the army.
Younger brothers carry corpses [in carts].
Perseverance/constancy [here] brings misfortune.
[If the supporting ranks lag behind, or there is poor coordination, doom follows.]
[Opportunity arises, favoring decisive capture and firm words (leadership) . No blame if handled right.]
Six at the top means:
The great ruler issues commands/mandates,
Inaugurating/establishing states and bestowing fiefs.
Petty men are not to be used/employed.
[After success, the supreme leader assigns roles to reliable or principled people, founding nations and lineages.]
8. 比 Bǐ / Holding Together (Union, Alliance)
THE JUDGMENT
HOLDING TOGETHER [brings] good fortune.
The original [stalk divination] inquiry [finds that]
[It possesses] primordial constancy and perseverance;
No blame.
The uneasy and unquiet [the restless ones; anxious or unsettled]
Arrive from [distant] quarters/directions.
Those who come late
[Meet] misfortune.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Holding together with truth and confidence.
[Sincerity in uniting]
No blame.
Truthfulness/sincerity is like [filling] a full earthen vessel [to the brim].
In the end,
There will be other
[Unexpected or additional] good fortune.
[At the base, sincerity and true confidence are key to starting any real union.]
Six in the second place means:
Holding together from within.
[From the inner self]
[Correct] perseverance brings good fortune.
[Union stems from inner authenticity/personal integrity, not external pressure. Stay centered and true.]
Six in the third place means:
Holding together with the wrong/improper people.
["non-persons" or bandits; people without integrity, unreliable, criminals, etc.]
[Warning against uniting with unsuitable or harmful people (like outlaws). Be careful whom you join.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Holding together with those on the outside [your usual circle].
[External alliances]
[Correct] perseverance brings good fortune.
[External alliances, when pursued with correct intention and perseverance, succeed.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Manifest Holding Together.
The king uses the hunt of three drivers
[Surrounding the game on three sides],
Letting go [letting it escape] the game that runs ahead [without coercion].
The townsfolk need no warning/urging/admonition.
[Union is natural/free; no need to force]
Good fortune.
[The pinnacle of manifest union, where a leader (king) draws followers openly and fairly. Support comes willingly.]
Six at the top means:
Holding together without a head.
[No leader or beginning]
Misfortune.
[Union without proper leadership, purpose or guiding principle (no "head" means no direction, start, or authority).]
9. 小畜 Xiǎo Xù / Small Taming Power (Gentle Restraint/Holding Back, Small Accumulating)
THE JUDGMENT
SMALL TAMING POWER.
Penetration [success through gentle influence].
Dense clouds, no rain, coming from our western outskirts.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Returning to one's own path.
How could there be blame?
Auspicious.
[Self-correction early on, staying true to one's principles.]
Nine in the second place means:
Drawn back [being led/pulled back] to return,
Auspicious.
[Being pulled or drawn back to alignment through gentle external influence or camaraderie. Do not resist the gentle pull.]
Nine in the third place means:
The wagon's spokes come apart [breakdown or halt in progress].
Husband and wife roll their eyes [at each other].
[“Husband and wife turn their eyes away (from one another),” i.e., discord]
[Pushing ahead too hard in a restrained situation causes stalls or conflicts.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Being truthful/sincere, blood departs, fear goes out.
[Sincerity leading to release from harm and anxiety]
No blame.
[By being genuine and yielding wisely, dangers recede and anxiety fades without blame.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Being truthful/sincere and bound together [linked sincerity - firmly connected].
Riches through one's neighbors [shared prosperity].
[Success comes from trustworthy connections — your influence benefits others nearby, creating mutual gain.]
Nine at the top means:
The rain has come, the resting has come.
Esteeming virtue and carrying it [forward].
[Exalting virtue accumulated]
For a woman, constancy is perilous.
[A woman's persistence brings danger]
The moon is almost full.
For the noble person,
To advance brings misfortune.
[You've achieved a stable point (the cycle is complete) — stop and consolidate. Continuing aggressively brings harm.]
10. 履 Lǚ / Treading (Conduct, Proper Behavior, Etiquette)
THE JUDGMENT
TREADING. Treading on a tiger's tail.
It does not bite the person. Success [smooth progress].
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Plain/simple treading. Going forth [setting out].
No blame.
[Starting out simply and without pretense, like walking plainly without drawing attention.]
Nine in the second place means:
Treading the road, level and smooth.
The reclusive/secluded person's determination/firmness [with inner resolve]
[Inwardness and sincerity, not literal isolation]
Is auspicious.
[The path is smooth and level, but your own resolve, solitude or detachment lead to clarity.]
Six in the third place means:
One-eyed, yet able to see,
Lame, yet able to tread
[Mismatch between ambition and capability].
Treads on a tiger's tail.
It bites the person.
Inauspicious.
A warrior acts on behalf of the great ruler.
[A warning that the person acts beyond his capacity]
[Inauspicious for pushing forward when you're not fully prepared or qualified. Don’t take on more than you can handle.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Treads on a tiger's tail.
Cautious and fearful [wary and apprehensive],
In the end auspicious.
[Tension resolved through vigilance - proceed with anxiety as your guide — it keeps you safe.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Resolute treading.
Determination/firmness confronts/meets peril.
[This calls for firm, decisive action, but warns that such resolve inherently faces peril/imminent danger.]
Nine at the top means:
Look to your treading and examine its omens.
The turning point [reflection on one's path]
Is supremely auspicious.
[At the end of a process, evaluate your actions holistically — it promises renewal/great fortune through hindsight.]
11. 泰 Tài / Peace (Prosperity, Harmony, Smooth Flowing)
THE JUDGMENT
PEACE. The small departs,
The great arrives.
Auspicious. Successful.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Pulling up rush-grass by the roots
And with it its kind.
To advance is auspicious.
[Actions draw in allies or like-minded elements (or consequences) naturally.]
Nine in the second place means:
Embracing the wilds [barrenness, uncultured -
desolate or challenging people or situations],
Using the courage to wade rivers,
[bold fording without hesitation]
Not neglecting/forgetting the distant,
Not forming cliques [perhaps friends are lost]:
One attains esteem/honor
By walking the central path.
[Honor comes from balanced, central conduct. Act bravely and inclusively; avoid factions — fairness brings honor.]
Nine in the third place means:
There is no level without a slope.
No going without a return.
To remain steadfast/firm in hardship
Is without blame.
Do not grieve over one's sincerity.
In one's sustenance
There is good fortune.
[Blessings in daily provisions or nourishment]
[Awareness of change prevents shock. Accept ups and downs — stay sincere. Blessings come in daily sustenance.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Fluttering about/downward [fluttering descent or hesitation],
Not enriching oneself with/through one's neighbors,
Being without caution [cleverness/cunning], yet sincere.
[Approach others humbly and sincerely, without calculation; this fosters genuine bonds. Humility keeps things smooth.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Di Yi [Emperor Yi] gives his younger sister in marriage
Thereby comes blessing
And supreme auspiciousness.
[Harmony through equal, sincere, balanced, respectful partnerships; yields lasting prosperity.]
Six at the top means:
The walls collapse back into the moat.
Do not use the army.
From one's own town proclaim the orders.
Steadfastness leads to humiliation.
[Blind persistence brings regret due to inevitable decline]
[End of the cycle; overreaching brings downfall, so adapt humbly, withdraw gracefully, and wait for renewal.]
12. 否 Pǐ / Obstruction (Stagnation, Standstil, Blockage in Flow)
THE JUDGMENT
OBSTRUCTION. Not the way of humane conduct [unfit for human flourishing].
It is not favorable for the noble one to be steadfast.
The great departs, the small arrives.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Pulling up rush-grass by the roots
And with it its kind.
Steadfastness brings good fortune
There is success.
[Actions draw in allies or like-minded elements (or consequences) naturally.]
Six in the second place means:
They bear and endure [embracing submission];
For the small [minded] person, good fortune.
For the great person, obstruction, [yet]
There is success.
[For a leader or principled individual by accepting it temporarily, you still achieve success in the end.]
Six in the third place means:
They bear shame.
[This line warns of humiliation or regret from trying to force fit into an corrupt or blocked situation. Withdraw early.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
There is a command/mandate/fate [from above],
No blame.
Companions partake in the blessing.
[This marks the start of overcoming stagnation, where action aligns with the greater flow.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The obstruction ceases.
Good fortune for the great person.
"It is perishing! It is perishing!"
Thus tied to a clump of mulberry shoots.
[Security amid peril]
[Alert to dangers - security is like being tied to a sturdy mulberry cluster—firm and enduring amid threats.]
Nine at the top means:
The obstruction is overturned.
First obstruction, later joy.
[Endure the last hurdles knowing breakthrough and happiness follow; act decisively to end the standstill.]
13. 同人 Tóng Rén / Fellowship/Concord (Associating/Aligning with People)
THE JUDGMENT
FELLOWSHIP WITH PEOPLE in the open fields [away from cliques, narrow loyalties].
Success [smooth progress].
Beneficial to cross the great river.
Beneficial for the superior person's constancy [steadfast correctness of the one who leads alliances].
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Fellowship with people at the gate.
No blame.
[Association begins simply and publicly, like meeting at the entrance without hidden agendas.]
Six in the second place means:
Fellowship with people within one's own clan.
Humiliation.
[Limiting fellowship to one's inner circle or family creates narrowness and eventual shame or regret.]
Nine in the third place means:
Hides arms in the thick grass [dense underbrush].
Climbing up that high mound.
For three years does not rise up [initiate action].
[Suspicion, distrust and hidden aggression (covert hostility) lurk, leading to a long stalemate/paralysis and no progress.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Climbing atop that city wall;
But unable to launch an attack.
Good fortune.
[Reaching a position of advantage but recognizing the futility of aggression, leading to restraint and positive outcomes.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
In fellowship, first wailing and lamenting,
But later laughter.
The great army prevails, and they can meet [reconcile after conflict].
[Current divisions/hardships in alliances will end happily if you persist with strong leadership (enabling cooperation).]
Nine at the top means:
Fellowship with people in the distant suburbs/outskirts.
No regret/remorse.
[Association remains distant and peripheral, without deep involvement or regret. This position avoids blame.]
14. 大有 Dà Yǒu / Great Possession (Great Having)
THE JUDGMENT
GREAT POSSESSION.
Supreme success.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
No relationship/interaction with what is harmful;
It is not blameworthy.
If [one remains] mindful/aware of difficulty/hardship,
One avoids blame.
[At the start of abundance, avoid entanglements with harmful influences or people.]
Nine in the second place means:
A great cart/wagon is used for carrying [loaded for transport].
There is a place to go.
No blame.
[You have substantial resources or support (like a sturdy wagon) to carry out plans.]
Nine in the third place means:
A prince/duke/noble presents his tribute [offering/sacrifice]
To the Son of Heaven [the emperor].
A petty person is not capable of [cannot achieve] this.
[In a position of power, offer your best to higher authorities or causes (like a noble's tribute or ritual offerings).]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Not being arrogant.
[He does not make a display of his abundance - lit. not making oneself “big/swollen”]
No blame.
[Amidst abundance, refrain from arrogance or showing off compared to peers.]
Six in the fifth place means:
His sincerity/trustworthiness is interlaced [with others],
[And it appears in] awe-inspiring dignity.
Good fortune.
[As a leader, build sincere, mutual trust with others while upholding authority and dignity.]
Nine at the top means:
From Heaven, there is protection [blessing] for him.
Good fortune.
Nothing not beneficial.
[Heavenly protection or unexpected aid supports you in abundance. All actions benefit from this grace.]
15. 謙 Qiān / Modesty (Humility)
THE JUDGMENT
MODESTY. Success [Smooth progress].
The noble person brings things to [a good] end [completion].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
A noble person of modesty upon modesty [doubly modest].
Useful to cross the great river.
Auspicious.
[Double humility (謙謙) means extreme self-effacement, like a low position that builds strength.]
Six in the second place means:
Modesty that makes itself heard [resonant modesty].
[Expressed by action that others naturally notice]
Perseverance/correctness brings auspiciousness.
[Humility that "resounds" (鳴) means your modest actions naturally gain recognition without forcing it.]
Nine in the third place means:
A noble person of meritorious modesty.
[Humility earned through hard work]
He brings things to a good end [completion].
Auspicious.
[Hard-earned (勞, toil) humility after effort, like a leader who merits respect but remains modest.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Nothing that is not beneficial.
Spread modesty about [act modestly in all dealings].
[In interactions or plans, infuse everything with modesty — no harm comes, and opportunities arise.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Not using [relying on] wealth with/in relation to one's neighbors.
Advantageous to apply effort / correct faults [corrective action].
[Address, work on, apply effort toward, delve into; to work on what is weak or faulty]
Nothing that is not beneficial.
[In a ruling position, do not rely on wealth or status (不富) but unite with neighbors (以其鄰) humbly.]
Six at the top means:
Modesty that makes itself heard [resonant/resounding modesty].
[Openly expressed by action that others naturally notice]
Advantageous to mobilize the army,
To discipline one's own city-state.
[Resounding humility used for internal correction or self-discipline rather than external aggression.]
16. 豫 Yù / Enthusiasm (Delight in Harmony, Motivated Readiness, Inspired Movement)
THE JUDGMENT
ENTHUSIASM. It is advantageous to appoint helpers [feudal lords/capable leaders]
And mobilize the army [set the forces in motion].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Proclaiming [one's] enthusiasm.
Ominous.
[Boastful or premature expression of enthusiasm leading to misfortune.]
Six in the second place means:
Firm as a rock. Not lasting [waiting] the whole day.
[Not letting doubt linger all day, leading to resolute action]
Perseverance brings good fortune.
[Don't let doubt drag on all day; quick decisiveness through persistence brings good results.]
Six in the third place means:
Gazing upward [in] enthusiasm
[Perhaps admiring superiors or ideals too eagerly]
Brings regret.
Delay will [also] bring regret/remorse [from hesitation].
[Looking up in eager/deluded/obsequious enthusiasm, leading to remorse from hesitation.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The source of the enthusiasm.
There is great gain.
Doubt not.
Friends gather
Like hair clasped by a pin.
[Conveys being the origin of enthusiasm, achieving big things without doubt, and attracting allies naturally.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Persistent in illness [constantly afflicted],
[Could mean literal sickness, obstacles, or inner weakness]
Yet not dying [enduring without collapse].
[Enthusiasm persists amid chronic "illness" but it doesn't lead to total collapse — not thriving, not ruined.]
Six at the top means:
Darkened, deluded/blind enthusiasm.
[Deluded/misguided enthusiasm that can be corrected after culmination]
[If there is] change after completion,
No blame.
[Excitement has gone too far or feels misguided, it's time to shift course; post-climax—correction avoids blame.]
17. 隨 Suí / Following (Adapting, Conforming, Going Along With Circumstances)
THE JUDGMENT
FOLLOWING: Great/primordial success.
Beneficial to be steadfast [to persist correctly]. No blame.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
The standard/norms [or official duty] has a change.
Correct persistence brings good fortune.
Going out the gate to interact [to engage with others]
Achieves merit [brings achievement].
[Norms or roles are shifting; openness to change (adapting) and sticking to what's right brings good results.]
Six in the second place means:
Tying oneself to the small-minded person [or youth],
One loses the great man [mature/strong/worthy person].
[Warns against short-sighted alliances; choose influences carefully to avoid isolation from better paths.]
Six in the third place means:
Tying oneself to the great man [mature/strong/worthy person],
One loses the small-minded person [or youth].
In following, there is seeking and obtaining [what is sought is gained].
Beneficial to abide in correct persistence.
[By aligning with/following the strong and mature, you naturally let go of the immature; goals are achieved.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Following has a gain/acquisition.
Correct/rigid persistence leads to misfortune.
Being sincere and on the correct/proper path brings clarity.
What blame is there?
[Gaining through following, but rigid persistence here invites trouble. Instead, act with genuine trust in the right path.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Sincerity in [following] excellence [what is good]. Good fortune.
[True faith in what is truly good/excellent (heartfelt alignment to virtue) yields positive results.]
Six at the top means:
Seized and tied up
Then further bound and secured.
The king uses him [employs this]
In the sacrifice/offerings on the Western Mountain.
[Implies a forced or ultimate/decisive commitment (total surrender or being "offered up"), perhaps to a higher cause.]
18. 蠱 Gǔ / Work on What Has Been Spoiled (Correcting Decay, Poison, Repairing Corruption)
THE JUDGMENT
WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED
[What is neglected internally eventually requires correction]
Original [great, primal, primordial] success.
It is beneficial to cross the great river.
[To undertake major actions/challenge]
Before the jia day [starting point], three days.
[Prepare three days before beginning]
After the jia day [starting point], three days.
[Review three days after beginning]
THE LINES
Six in the beginning means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father [the father’s corruption].
If there is a son,
The deceased father is without blame.
Danger. In the end good fortune.
[You (the "son") are inheriting decay from a paternal/authoritative figure - step up early to fix foundational issues.]
Nine in the second place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother [the mother’s corruption - emotional or relational disorder].
One must not be overly firm/persistent [too rigidly correct].
[Avoiding excessive rigidity - some problems require tact, softness, patience]
[Dealing with maternal or nurturing decay. Avoid being too rigid or insistent — flexibility is key here.]
Nine in the third place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father [the father’s corruption].
There is a little regret. No great blame.
[No major fault in overcorrecting but some friction is unavoidable]
[Overzealous in fixing paternal decay — you might be rough or go too far, causing minor regret, but no major harm.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Tolerating/enlarging/indulging what has been spoiled by the father [the father’s corruption].
[Worsening the decay by inaction]
Going forward leads to regretful humiliation.
[You're enabling or worsening the father's decay through tolerance or excess indulgence. This brings shame and regret.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father [the father’s corruption].
One meets with praise.
[Effectively managing paternal corruption in a position of influence; your efforts earn trust, recognition and praise.]
Nine at the top means:
He does not serve kings and/or lords,
He elevates his own affairs [personal pursuits].
[Transcending the cycle of decay altogether by withdrawing from corrupt systems/worldly ambitions (not serving rulers).]
19. 臨 Lín / Approaching (Overseeing, Attending, Facing)
THE JUDGMENT
APPROACHING. The primal offering is successful [supreme success].
[Great offering/sacrifice succeeds]
Beneficial to be steadfast [to persevere correctly].
When the eighth month [a peak followed by decline] arrives,
There will be misfortune.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Joint/influencing/shared approach.
[All-encompassing approach]
Steadfastness brings good fortune.
[Starting with broad, mutual influence ("all-encompassing" like affecting everyone involved).]
Nine in the second place means:
Joint/influencing/shared approach.
[All-encompassing approach]
Good fortune.
Nothing that is not beneficial.
[Building on the first line, this reinforces total positivity through unified approaching. Mutual trust deepens.]
Six in the third place means:
Sweet/ingratiating approach.
[Overly pleasing approach]
Nothing to be benefited by [gained].
If one becomes anxious
[Remorseful, concerned] about it,
There will be no blame.
[An overly pleasing or artificial approach ("sweetened" like flattery or superficial charm), yields no real gain.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Utmost/complete/direct approach.
[Perfection without fault]
No blame.
[The approach reaches its fullest, most direct arrival without excess. You show up personally and directly.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Wise/knowing approach.
Fitting for a great ruler.
Good fortune.
[Wise/insightful approaching, suited to leadership ("knowing" as intelligent oversight). Leadership through understanding.]
Six at the top means:
Sincere/dignified/generous approach.
Good fortune. No blame.
[Thick/substantial (heartfelt depth), sincere generosity in approaching; dignified/genuine care without self-interest.]
20. 觀 Guān / Contemplation (Observing, Seeing, Viewing Clearly)
THE JUDGMENT
CONTEMPLATION. The ritual ablution [washing of hands] has been performed,
But the [main sacrifice] offering has not yet been presented.
[Creating a state of awe-filled sincerity]
[In this pause there is] sincere faith, [expressed in] solemn [majestic, uplifted] reverence.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Childish observing.
For the petty person, no blame.
For the noble person, humiliation.
[Immature, childlike observation — superficial and without depth, like a kid staring without understanding.]
Six in the second place means:
Peeping [through the crack of the door] observation.
Advantageous for a woman's constancy [to remain patient and steady].
[Viewing secretly, like spying through a door crack — limited/indirect and from a hidden, subordinate position.]
Six in the third place means:
Observing my life [course/life's progress, life conduct, way of living, character in action]
Deciding advance and retreat.
[Observation turns inward: examining your own life's path to decide whether to advance or retreat.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Contemplating the glory [radiance, culture, order, splendor] of the kingdom.
Advantageous to be a guest of the king.
[Observing the kingdom's glory from a favorable spot, close enough to appreciate its light.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Contemplating my life [course/life's progress, life conduct, way of living, character in action].
For the noble person, no blame.
[As a firm line in the ruler's position, this is self-contemplation from authority: viewing own life's conduct.]
Nine at the top means:
Contemplating the lives [course/life's progress, life conduct, way of living, character in action] of others.
For the noble person, no blame.
[Detached observation/understanding of others' lives from the highest vantage, beyond personal involvement.]
21. 噬嗑 Shì Kè / Biting and Chewing (Biting Through, Penetrating Obstacles, Removing Obstructions)
THE JUDGMENT
BITING AND CHEWING. Success [penetration, smooth progress, offering accepted].
Beneficial for dealing with imprisonment/punishment [to use in legal proceedings/criminal justice].
[Shì Kè represents the act of biting through something obstructing union—like jaws closing to chew and swallow, symbolizing the need to penetrate and resolve divisions or impediments.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Shackles [on the feet] injuring the toes.
[Minor restraint leading to self-inflicted harm]
No blame.
[An initial small setback/punishment (not halting progress entirely) or self-limitation prevents worse errors later.]
Six in the second place means:
Biting through tender skin/flesh,
Destroying the nose [nose disappears in effort].
[Easy progress but eagerness causes overextension/overreach]
No blame.
[Progress is smooth against weak resistance, but excess enthusiasm can lead to unnecessary damage; still, it's justified.]
Six in the third place means:
Biting through dried [salted/aged, jerky-like] meat.
Encountering poison.
[Uncovers hidden complications]
A small humiliation/regret. No blame.
[Dealing with old, hardened problems uncovers hidden complications; endure the minor sting to clear it.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Biting through a dried bone-with-meat [bone with sinew].
Obtaining a metal arrowhead.
[A reward from persistence]
Beneficial to be steadfast [with uprightness] in hardship.
Auspicious.
[Hard obstacles require steady effort, leading to useful gains (like tools for future action).]
Six in the fifth place means:
Biting through dried meat.
Obtaining yellow metal [gold].
[A great reward]
Steadfastness/uprightness is precarious [perseverance amid danger].
[Maintaining integrity is risky here]
No blame.
[In a position of authority, resolving core issues yields riches/insights - firm correctness despite peril.]
Nine at the top means:
A carrying-wood [yoke/cangue] injures the ears.
[Severe punishment for overstepping]
Misfortune.
[Excessive force or biting too hard results in entrapment; you've gone too far, ignoring warnings.]
22. 賁 Bì / Adornment (Grace, Ornamentation, Elegance, Cultured Refinement)
THE JUDGMENT
ADORNMENT. Success [penetration, smooth progress, offering accepted].
There is a little profit [small benefit]
In having someplace to go [having a direction to proceed].
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Adorning his toes.
He leaves the carriage and walks on foot.
[Advises humility and self-reliance in initial steps—avoid ostentation; refine your basics and move forward modestly.]
Six in the second place means:
Adorning his beard.
[Secondary adornment attached to something primary]
[Enhancing or supporting a leader/idea without taking center stage—be the graceful assistant or refinement to others.]
Nine in the third place means:
Adorned and/as if glossy/shining/lustrous.
Perpetual [long-term] constancy brings good fortune.
[This depicts adornment that's glossy, vibrant and appealing — stick with integrity for good outcomes.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Adorned yet/as if plain/white.
A white horse, poised as if winged [in flight].
It is not a robber,
But a suitor for marriage.
[Time of uncertainty where plain honesty attracts allies — move quickly but purely toward connections.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Adorning [on] the hill gardens.
The bundle of silk is meager/scant.
Humiliation/regret/difficulty,
But in the end good fortune.
[This advises frugality/humility in high positions/gifts—don't overdo; even meager efforts bring good results if genuine.]
Nine at the top means:
Simple/white adornment. No blame.
[Suggests transcending superficiality — embrace minimalism or simplicity rooted in truth for blameless progress.]
23. 剝 Bō / Splitting Apart (Stripping Away, Flaking Off, Erosion)
THE JUDGMENT
SPLITTING APART.
Not beneficial to undertake action/go forth/proceed with plans [during this time of decline].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Stripping the bed at its legs.
Destroying the firm [basis].
[The upright foundation is destroyed]
Misfortune.
[The decay begins at the foundation, like removing the legs from a bed—initial undermining of support or principles.]
Six in the second place means:
Stripping the bed up to the frame [edge].
Destroying the firm [basis].
[The upright foundation is destroyed]
Misfortune.
[The decline is advancing; don't compromise core values, or the whole thing collapses.]
Six in the third place means:
Stripping away [from them].
[He detaches from what is disintegrating]
No blame.
[In a deteriorating situation, separating yourself from the negative influences can be blameless and even protective.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Stripping the bed up to the skin [the bedding surface].
[Escalation to personal harm]
Misfortune.
[The erosion reaches the "skin" or surface of the bed, implying direct harm — misfortune is imminent and personal.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Stringing fish [on a line/in order].
[Harmonious arrangement]
Using the favor of the palace women.
[Yielding, receptive, orderly support]
Nothing not advantageous.
[Even in stripping times, a position of subtle leadership or alliance with gentle, supportive forces can turn the tide.]
Nine at the top means:
A large uneaten fruit [potential - seed preserved for renewal].
The noble person obtains a carriage.
The petty person has his hut stripped away.
[If you've endured with integrity, renewal is near—hold on to your principles for transport to better times.]
24. 復 Fù / Return (The Turning Point, Renewal)
THE JUDGMENT
RETURN[to the proper course]. Success [smooth progress].
Going out and coming in, there is no harm [without distress/illness/trouble/disorder].
Friends/companions arrive, there is no blame.
Turning back and returning is its [inherent] Way.
The return occurs in seven days.
Beneficial to have someplace [a direction] to go.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Returning without having gone far [astray].
There is no great/serious remorse/regret.
Primordial [great] good fortune.
[It means catching a mistake early, before straying too deeply — symbolizing quick/immediate self-correction.]
Six in the second place means:
Blessed [peaceful, restful, auspicious, excellent, beautiful or lovely] return.
Good fortune.
[This is highly favorable; emulate those who return gracefully, without ego. A calm and willing return brings success.]
Six in the third place means:
Repeated [hesitant] return [to the proper course].
[You keep slipping and correcting yourself]
Perilous.
[Not ideal, but better than refusing correction]
No blame.
[Hesitating repeatedly, going back and forth as if indecisive or overcorrecting-recognize the risk but push through.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Walking in the center [the middle path],
Returning alone.
[Others may continue wrongly; you correct yourself independently]
[In group decisions or social contexts, trust your inner sense/balance and return solo if needed.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Sincere/substantial return [Dūn implying thick, firm generosity].
[This is wholehearted correction, not cosmetic change]
No remorse.
[Returning fully and sincerely; with genuine, honest, substantial, steady heart—thick like earth, without superficiality.]
Six at the top means:
Lost [opportunity for] return.
[Being deluded, confused or missing the path - lost from the path of return]
Misfortune.
There is calamity and harm/damage.
[If] used to march an army,
In the end there will be a great defeat,
Disastrous for the ruler of the state.
Even for ten years,
One will be unable to launch a [successful] campaign [again].
[You've missed the window for correction — continuing aggressively brings calamity and long-lasting defeat.]
25. 无妄 Wú Wàng / Innocence (No Falsehood, No Errancy, Without Preconception)
THE JUDGMENT
INNOCENCE [acting naturally, free of deceit or delusion].
Primordial [supreme, original] success [offering accepted, smooth progress].
Favorable when steadfast and correct.
If one is not correct/upright,
There will be misfortune/trouble.
Not beneficial to have somewhere [a direction, to pursue a course] to go.
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Innocence. Going forth: auspicious.
[Acting without delusion here means starting fresh with pure intent, leading to good fortune in moving ahead.]
Six in the second place means:
Not [aiming for the] harvest while plowing,
Not [aiming for the] cultivated field while opening new land [newly cleared first-year field],
Then it is beneficial to have somewhere to go.
[Focus on the process, not the payoff — let outcomes unfold naturally. Work for the right reason, not for gain.]
Six in the third place means:
The misfortune/calamity of innocence:
[Like] someone tethering a cow/ox, a passerby gets it,
[And it becomes] the misfortune/loss for the villager.
[Sometimes calamity strikes without fault on your part — like random bad luck in a state of truth.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Capable of constancy/steadfastness.
[Hold your ground. Stay true. No need for dramatic action]
No blame.
[In challenges/under pressure, hold to integrity and naturalness — blame won't stick if you're upright.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The illness [affliction, disturbance] of innocence:
[An unexpected ailment or issue that's not self-inflicted]
Do not use medicine [force a remedy].
There will be a [reason for] relief and joy.
[This line teaches non-intervention in divination:Sometimes, doing nothing is the cure. Some troubles are self-correcting.]
Nine at the top means:
Innocence.
[If one keeps] acting there will be trouble [misfortune, calamity].
Nothing is beneficial.
[You've reached the end of a natural cycle — pushing further invites disaster. Knowing when to stop is wisdom.]
26. 大畜 Dà Xù/Chù / Great Taming Power (Great Restraining, Great Accumulation)
THE JUDGMENT
GREAT TAMING POWER.
Correctness in perseverance is beneficial.
"Not eating at home" brings good fortune.
[Seeking nourishment/opportunities outside one's immediate sphere or serve in public life]
It is beneficial to cross the great river.
[Undertake significant/bold actions after preparation]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
There is danger.
It is beneficial to stop/halt/desist.
[Recognize obstacles and voluntarily halt progress before momentum creates trouble — desist from action to avoid harm.]
Nine in the second place means:
The carriage sheds/detaches its axle fitting [axle-pin/coupling bar/linchpin].
[Sudden halt or breakdown; movement becomes impossible; forced stopping prevents premature advance]
[External circumstances impose restraint when one's drive is strong but not yet timely; progress is blocked.]
Nine in the third place means:
Good horses chase [follow in succession] one another.
Benefit lies in perseverance/firmness amidst hardship.
Daily practicing chariot-driving and defense.
It is beneficial to have a place/direction to go.
[Momentum building through disciplined effort - strength is now available—but must remain trained and disciplined.]
Six in the fourth place means:
A wooden board is placed on the horns of a young ox/bull.
[Preventive measure]
Primordial good fortune.
[Early, gentle control/restraint to neutralize potential threats, leading to primal (fundamental) good fortune.]
Six in the fifth place means:
The tusks of a gelded boar.
[Implying the tamed/harmless nature of the boar]
Good fortune.
[Wise restraint transforms threats into assets; power is controlled without destruction, bringing auspiciousness.]
Nine at the top means:
How vast/broad is the road to heaven! Success.
[Heaven's vast pathway—a broad, unobstructed road symbolizing ultimate freedom after accumulation and restraint.]
27. 頤 Yí / The Jaws (Nourishing)
THE JUDGMENT
THE JAWS.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Observe/examine the nourishing [process], [of nourishing self and others].
[One] personally [independently] seeks the substance for the mouth [what truly sustains one's life].
[Take responsibility for securing what truly sustains your life]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
You abandon your luminous/magic/spiritual tortoise,
[Oracle-like quality of the tortoise shell used in divination]
[And] watch my dangling jaws.
[Envy of what others consume or possess]
Misfortune.
[It warns against abandoning your own inner wisdom or resources, instead, you envy others' gains.]
Six in the second place means:
Inverting the nourishing [seeking from above].
Going against the constant [way] to seek nourishment on the hill.
To advance [for] nourishment brings misfortune.
[A weak line seeking nourishment unnaturally—turning upward or afar (the hill) instead of from proper sources below.]
Six in the third place means:
Going against the nourishing [principle].
[Rejecting proper nourishment]
Perseverance brings misfortune.
For ten years, do not employ [this course].
Nothing is beneficial.
[Another weak line rejecting proper nourishment, perhaps through excess or indulgence. This deviation is very severe.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Inverting the nourishing [giving to those below].
Good fortune.
A tiger's gaze is menacing [possess a dignified and authoritative demeanor],
Its desires ardent and pressing/relentless [reference to the first line],
[Yet] there is no blame.
[A weak line in a high position provides nourishment downward to those below, like a leader feeding subordinates.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Going against/rejecting the constant [way or the established order].
[A ruler with insufficient talent to support the people]
Dwelling in perseverance brings good fortune.
[One] cannot cross the great river.
[A weak central line (ruler position) deviates from the norm but can succeed by staying put and persevering correctly.]
Nine at the top means:
From [him] comes nourishing.
[The source of nourishment - a truly virtuous and capable person, a pillar of the state]
Danger [from heavy responsibility or exposure], [but] good fortune.
Beneficial to cross the great river.
[The strong line at the apex is the ultimate source of nourishment for all below, like a benefactor or inspiration.]
28. 大過 Dà Guò / Great Excess (Great Surpassing/Overload, Great Overburden)
THE JUDGMENT
GREAT EXCESS.
The ridgepole sags [to the breaking point].
Beneficial to have someplace to go forth.
[Taking purposeful action amid imbalance]
Success [smooth progress].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
To place [an offering] using white mao grass.
[Caution and humility in using soft grass for padding]
No blame.
[Protecting something valuable with gentleness and care to avoid damage and later trouble.]
Nine in the second place means:
A withered poplar produces sprouts.
An old man obtains a young woman as a wife.
Nothing not beneficial.
[All-around advantage]
[Renewal emerges from decay, like a withered tree sprouting anew - the mismatch actually complements and rejuvenates.]
Nine in the third place means:
The ridgepole sags [to the breaking point].
Misfortune.
[This is a warning of misfortune from pushing too far without support. Rigidity in the midst of excess leads to failure.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The ridgepole arches upward [rising or peaking].
Auspicious.
If there is something else,
[Unexpected additional complications]
There is cause for regret.
[The beam is now elevated/strengthened, countering the sag and bringing good fortune. But stay vigilant!]
Nine in the fifth place means:
A withered poplar produces flowers.
An old woman obtains a young/capable man as a husband.
[A late renewal occurs, but may be more appearance than lasting substance]
No blame. No praise.
[Lacking corresponding lines with other lines, it reverses course by associating with the sixth line at the top.]
Six at the top means:
Wading too far to cross [the river],
[The water] submerges the crown of the head.
[Overstepping in a crossing - going too far into the water, it covers the head.]
Misfortune. No blame.
[The excess goes too far, like wading into a river so deep it drowns you. Intent might be noble or unavoidable.]
29. 習坎 Xí Kǎn / Repeated Danger (The Abyss, Pit, Deep Water)
THE JUDGMENT
REPEATED DANGER.
[Ancient image: a dangerous hollow, ravine/gorge, or water-worn sinkhole leading into hidden depths]
There is sincerity [trust, inner confidence].
Maintaining [a steady/firm/centered] mind/heart brings success [penetrates, finds fulfillment].
[Inner steadiness/sincerity enables breakthrough amid peril. Learning by surviving hazards.]
Action [rightly taken] has value [is exalted, esteemed, bringinga honor/merit].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Repeated danger.
In the abyss one falls into a pit.
[One difficulty followed by another, perhaps because of careless reaction]
Misfortune.
[At the bottom of the first pit, one blindly enters a deeper hole within it—total immersion in danger without awareness.]
Nine in the second place means:
The abyss is dangerous.
One should strive to attain small things only.
[Survival matters more than ambition. Small gains are possible despite the peril.]
[Solid amid danger. The pit is hazardous. Seek only small gains—modest progress is possible, but ambition leads to loss.]
Six in the third place means:
Coming [from pits] and going [to pits], abyss upon abyss.
Danger surrounds and piles up.
[Danger is both imminent and "pillowed" - resting upon, or layered; presses on every side.]
Falling into the deepest pit [the cavern within the chasm].
Do not act [do nothing / refrain from using / employing force - every option is dangerous]
[Moving forward is fraught with peril, as is turning back; Caught in a dilemma: any action will lead to deep entrapment.]
Six in the fourth place means:
A jar of wine, two baskets of grain/food.
Using [plain] earthenware vessels.
[Symbolizes humble, direct sincerity in crisis - a simple offering]
Pledges simply handed in through the window.
[The window is the symbol of a barrier that permits transaction but forbids true opening. It admits light but not passage.]
In the end, no blame.
[Help has arrived, but you receive it without ever leaving your enclosure. Solving a crisis of the engulfing darkness with a remedy that accepts the barrier.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The abyss is not filled [to overflowing],
It is filled only to the brim [leveled or evened out; brought to level balance].
No blame [danger is contained, not eliminated].
[Equilibrium: contain the risk without overfilling; steady filling leads to safety—don't push beyond the brim.]
Six at the top means:
Bound with [black] ropes and [three-strand] cords,
Placed among a thicket of thorns [prison walls]:
For three years [long time] one does not find the way/release.
[Cannot escape / cannot attain]
Misfortune.
[An extremely treacherous person, extreme entrapment and severe consequences due to persistent wrongdoing/stubborn folly.]
30. 離 Lí / The Clinging (Adherence, Attachment, Radiance, Fire)
THE JUDGMENT
THE CLINGING. Beneficial to be [correctly] steadfast.
There is success [smooth progress].
Raising [nurturing] a docile cow brings good fortune.
[Slowly cultivating the virtues of gentleness and righteousness.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
The footprints are criss-crossed, disordered.
[Treading/stepping in confusion and disorder]
If one is reverent [cautious/respectful] towards this [situation],
There will be no blame.
[Meet the confusion with reverence and careful respect (to the process, to others, to proper order). Do not barge through.]
Six in the second place means:
Yellow light [radiance/clinging].
Primordial [supreme] good fortune.
[Hold the middle path — balanced/centered clarity and steady attachment to what is right bring supreme good fortune.]
Nine in the third place means:
In the light of the setting sun,
[End of a day, phase, or even life stage]
If one does not beat the earthen pot and sing,
Then [there will be] the sighing lament
Of the great aged [one].
Ominous.
[Choosing joy now prevents the misfortune of bitter hindsight - do not postpone appreciation or enjoyment until “later”.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Suddenly it comes, abruptly:
Blazing [like fire]. Dying [like fire]. Cast away [like ashes].
[This describes anything that explodes into brilliance without sustainable fuel — passion, opportunity, crisis etc.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Gushing tears in torrents, sobbing and lamenting.
Auspicious.
[Deep, uncontrollable emotional release - this honest sorrow is auspicious because it clears the way for renewal.]
Nine at the top means:
The king uses it [radiance/clear discernment] to launch a campaign.
There is praise [excellence/commendation].
He cuts off the heads of the leaders [the ugly/evil ones],
Captures those who are not the ugly/evil ones [not the primary culprits].
No blame.
[When truth is clear, remove the true source of harm without excess.]
31. 咸 Xián / Mutual Influence (Mutual Affinity, Sensation, Wooing)
THE JUDGMENT
MUTUAL INFLUENCE. Success [smooth passage, offering accepted].
Beneficial to be steadfast and correct.
Taking a young woman [in marriage/courtship/forming union]: auspicious.
[Not casual attraction — this implies commitment]
[咸 Xián signifies an unintentional feeling, natural sincerity, and mutual resonance.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Influence reaches its big toe.
[The very first, almost invisible stirring. Too weak to act on yet. Nothing substantial has happened.]
Six in the second place means:
Influence reaches its calves [of the legs].
Ominous.
[Movement begins, but still reactive/instinctive]
To remain still / to abide: auspicious.
[Stronger movement appears, but it is still in the lower, animal part of the body. Wait - let the influence mature.]
Nine in the third place means:
Influence reaches its thigh.
Grasping/clinging/holding to that which follows it.
[Letting oneself be carried by impulse, or following external pull instead of inner center]
To advance / to proceed: regret.
[If you let lower instincts or external pressure “lead” you forward, you will regret it.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Steadfastness and correctness bring good fortune.
Regret disappears.
Agitated / restless / hesitant coming and going;
Companions and friends follow your true thoughts [inner intent].
[Influence is balanced and heartfelt. True friends/allies will sense/align with your real inner thoughts and follow them.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Influence reaches the flesh of the back.
[Along the spine / between the shoulders - deep core. Deep, unconscious alignment - stable, integrated influence]
No remorse.
[Influence has sunk deep into the core of your being. The connection is solid and stable (beyond superficial fluctuation).]
Six at the top means:
Influence reaches the jaws, cheeks, and tongue.
[Influence reaches only the mouth—mere words/smiles/flirtation, or empty talk. It lacks real substance. No real influence]
32. 恆 Héng / Constancy (Perseverance, Duration, Endurance)
THE JUDGMENT
CONSTANCY. Success. No blame.
Beneficial to be steadfast [correct and steady].
Beneficial to have somewhere [a direction] to go.
[Inner constancy sustained through change - internally aligned, not forced.]
[Enduring influence arises from repeated, consistent movement over time — not from force.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Seeking depth in constancy prematurely.
Steadfastness brings misfortune.
Nothing is beneficial.
[You cannot force deep roots or total commitment on day one. “Going all in” too soon backfires if you stubbornly persist.]
Nine in the second place means:
Regret vanishes.
[Any doubt, hesitation, or small regret you feel about committing will naturally dissolve if you simply keep going.]
Nine in the third place means:
Not persevering in one's virtue.
[Inconsistency in core values or character]
Will perhaps receive shame.
[Wavering undermines everything]
Steadfastness leads to humiliation.
[Align actions with your principles consistently. Wavering undermines everything.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
In the field, no game [no opportunity, support, resources].
[Persistent effort in the wrong place or at the wrong time yields zero results,no matter how long one persists.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Persevering in one's virtue with steadfastness [and correctness].
For a woman, auspicious, for a man, misfortune.
[Match the quality of your perseverance to your actual role/position or power dynamic (receptive vs. active).]
Six at the top means:
Agitating constancy brings misfortune.
[Restlessness at the end stage exhausts the situation. It disrupts what was successfully sustained.]
33. 遯 Dùn / Withdrawal (Retreating, Receding, Retiring)
THE JUDGMENT
WITHDRAWAL. [Controlled distancing from danger]
Successful progress.
Perseverance is beneficial in small matters.
[One should not attempt major advances - continue only modest and manageable efforts]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Withdrawal [too slowly] at the tail/rear. Danger.
[The person withdraws too late and remains exposed to pursuing danger]
Do not undertake any going forth [further action].
[You are lagging behind in the retreat (“at the tail”). The advancing pressures are right on your heels. Danger. Stop.]
Six in the second place means:
Bind it [hold fast to the retreat] with the hide of a yellow ox.
[Commit to your withdrawal with unbreakable firmness]
No one can loosen it.
[Stay resolute in your decision to step back. Do not allow yourself to be pulled back into the situation.]
Nine in the third place means:
A hampered/bound/attached withdrawal.
There is distress/sickness and danger.
To keep/support/maintain servants and concubines
[Limit responsibilities to what is close and manageable]
Brings good fortune.
[You may not be able to retreat fully from outer affairs, but keeping your personal base in order brings good fortune.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
A timely and willing withdrawal.
[Good/excellent/well-timed withdrawal]
For the noble man, good fortune.
For the petty man, obstruction/inability/misfortune.
[This is a good/well-timed/voluntary withdrawal. Retreat gracefully/willingly; it benefits those who understand the times.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
A praiseworthy/excellent/admirable withdrawal.
Steadfastness/correct perseverance brings good fortune.
[This is the line of the wise leader who recognizes the perfect moment and withdraws calmly, clearly, and with dignity.]
Nine at the top means:
A plenteous/free/flying withdrawal.
[Fat/plump/abundant or prosperous/ample/full withdrawal]
Nothing would not be beneficial.
[Complete inner detachment has been achieved. You are free, unburdened, and clear. Everything now goes well.]
34. 大壯 Dà Zhuàng / Great Strength (Great Power/Vigor, The Force of the Great, Raw Advance)
THE JUDGMENT
GREAT STRENGTH.
Beneficial to be steadfast/correct [firm correctness].
[Strength alone is not enough.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Strength/Power is in the toes.
To set forth/advance brings misfortune.
This is certain [lit. there is sincerity/trust/truth].
[The warning is reliable/trustworthy]
[Your strength is real but still only at the foundation level (toes). It cannot yet support full forward movement.]
Nine in the second place means:
Firm correctness brings good fortune.
[Balanced, centered strength. Simply staying steadfast and correct in your principles or path brings good fortune.]
Nine in the third place means:
The inferior person uses [raw] force.
The superior person uses strategy/wise restraint [a net].
[He does not use brute force]
Steadfastness leads to danger.
A ram butts against the hedge.
Its horns get entangled.
[Continuing with brute force is dangerous (leads to being stuck exactly like the ram whose horns are caught in the hedge).]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Regret vanishes.
The hedge is broken open, the horns are not entangled.
The strength/power is in the axle-strut [linchpin, axle support, brake-block]
[Hidden structural strength capable of carrying heavy load]
Of a great cart [strength is solid enough to carry heavy loads].
[Power has matured and is now properly placed. Steadfastness brings success and clears any earlier doubts.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Loses the ram/goat with ease in the field/boundary.
[Aggressive force naturally falls away]
No regret.
[In a balanced/flexible/leadership position aggressive/stubborn force naturally falls away. It happens easily.]
Six at the top means:
A ram butts against the hedge.
It can neither retreat nor advance.
Nothing is beneficial.
If it recognizes the difficulty,
Then there will be good fortune.
[Peak of power has turned into impasse. Pure stubbornness achieves nothing. Acknowledge the problem honestly.]
35. 晉 Jìn / Advancing (Progress, Rising, Promotion, Civilized Advance)
THE JUDGMENT
ADVANCING. [Illumination becoming recognized publicly - a worthy person being recognized]
The Marquis of Kang
Was granted [by the king] many horses and breedings [of horses].
In a single day, he was received [by the king] three times.
[True advancement comes when one's qualities become visible and recognized]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Advancing, yet being obstructed [pressed back, hindered, restrained].
Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Not yet trusted.
Being generous/ample [in patience/spirit]:
[Magnanimous / tolerant / liberal in attitude/conduct]
No blame.
[Initial obstacles or lack of immediate trust are normal at the very start of visible progress; remain steadfast.]
Six in the second place means:
Advancing, yet in sorrow/concern [anxious, troubled].
Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Receiving this great blessing
Coming from his royal ancestress (王母, lit. "kingly mother").
[Even if the path feels sorrowful or blocked for a moment, perseverance brings the blessing from a higher source.]
Six in the third place means:
The multitude [the people, others] agrees/approves [and trusts].
Regret vanishes.
[When others begin to align and consent, any earlier regrets or doubts dissolve.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Advancing like a flying-squirrel/rat [rock-rat (鼫鼠), marmot-like rodent, greedy/scurrying creature].
[A creature that attempts many things but masters none]
Steadfastness leads to danger.
[Beware of scattered efforts, trying to advance in too many directions at once, or timidly/greedily without full mastery.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Regret vanishes.
Do not be anxious over loss and gain.
[Calculation drops away, movement becomes natural and correct]
Going forward brings good fortune.
Nothing is unfavorable.
[In the most favorable position (line 5), stay detached from personal worries about gain or loss. Simply advance.]
Nine at the top means:
Advancing to its horns [the peak/tip, extreme point].
It is appropriate to use this [strength]
To chastise one's own city [discipline one's own domain].
Danger, but good fortune in the end [peril yet auspicious].
No blame.
But [if one persists in this stance]
Steadfastness [continued thus] leads to humiliation/distress.
[Here, the advance has become sharp - use that confrontational energy only to correct and discipline your own territory.]
36. 明夷 Míng Yí / Brightness Wounded (Darkening of the Light, Light Obscured)
THE JUDGMENT
BRIGHTNESS WOUNDED. Beneficial to persevere steadfastly
Through hardship [dangerous difficulty, severe adversity, oppressive conditions].
[This is the classic hexagram of living in dark times — when corrupt or tyrannical forces hold power, when open expression of what is right can get you hurt, imprisoned, or destroyed. It is favorable to remain inwardly firm through difficult and dangerous circumstances.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Brightness wounded while in flight,
Drooping its wings.
[A wounded bird fleeing]
The noble man is on a journey,
Not eating for three days.
He has a place to go.
The host has words [of criticism/reproach].
[The superior person sees corruption early, leaves before destruction fully arrives, accepts hardship and criticism.]
[You are already under attack/forced to flee. Like a wounded bird, you must accept temporary deprivation and criticism.]
Six in the second place means:
Brightness wounded, wounding the left thigh.
[Injured but not destroyed]
Rescued/saved by the strength of a fast/strong horse.
[Accept help immediately. Do not reject assistance out of pride.]
Auspicious.
[You are wounded but not fatally. Help (a “strong horse”—allies, resources, or sudden opportunity) arrives to rescue you.]
Nine in the third place means:
Brightness wounded on the southern hunt.
[Possibly royal military expedition imagery]
Capturing its great chief [leader of the hostile force].
It is not permissible to hasten [press forward hastily] steadfastness.
[It warns against rushing forward even after a victory]
[A moment of success against the source of darkness—you “capture the great chief” but do not rush into bold action.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Entering the left side of the belly,
[Entering deeply inside]
Obtaining the heart [intention] of Brightness Wounded,
[Understanding the core corruption and/or concealed brightness]
Then going out the gate and courtyard.
[Once he has this insight, withdraws immediately and quietly]
[You have penetrated close to the heart of the darkness - do not linger once you see the truth; escape while you can.]
Six in the fifth place means:
The Brightness Wounded of Jizi.
[Prince Ji faked madness to save his life]
Beneficial to be steadfast.
[Sometimes the only way to preserve your integrity/life is to appear useless, mad, or harmless to those in power.]
Six at the top means:
No brightness — darkness.
[Darkness] at first ascending to heaven,
Afterwards entering into the earth.
[The oppressive force that “ascended to heaven” (gained total power) now “enters the earth” (falls completely).]
37. 家人 Jiā Rén / The Family (The Household, Family Members)
THE JUDGMENT
THE FAMILY. Beneficial is the woman's constancy [in her proper role].
[Correct persistence in one’s proper role]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Establishing firm regulations [barriers/restrictions/limits/boundaries] within the family.
Regret vanishes.
[Order must be established at the very beginning, before habits harden. Set clear, fair rules and expectations early.]
Six in the second place means:
[She] should not follow her own course/direction.
[Should not pursue independent initiatives/act autonomously outside proper role]
Attending to the central provisioning [i.e. cooking/domestic management - rather than competing for dominance].
Constancy brings good fortune.
[The person in the supportive/inner position (e.g. wife) should not try to run the show or pursue personal agendas.]
Nine in the third place means:
The household is sternly regimented [severe scolding, harsh seriousness].
[There will be] regret, severity,
But also good fortune.
If the wife and children giggle and play frivolously,
In the end there will be humiliation.
[Firm discipline is necessary for maintaining order, even if it feels harsh and creates temporary regret or tension.]
Six in the fourth place means:
[She is] enriching the family.
[Making abundant, wealthy]
Great good fortune.
[When the inner manager (e.g wife) focuses on genuine enrichment the whole house prospers abundantly.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The king approaches his family.
Do not worry.
Good fortune.
[The leader must personally “come to” the family—be present, caring, and involved rather than distant or authoritarian.]
Nine at the top means:
Possessing sincerity and dignified authority.
In the end, good fortune.
[Lasting success rests on the leader’s (or elder’s) inner sincerity combined with natural dignity.]
38. 睽 Kuí / Opposition (Estrangement, Discord, Alienation, Disunion)
THE JUDGMENT
OPPOSITION. In small matters, good fortune.
[The core idea is not necessarily hatred or open conflict, but lack of alignment - unity is temporarily impossible]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Regret vanishes.
If you lose your horse, do not pursue it;
It will return of itself.
When you see an evil man [bad/ill-disposed/troublesome/hostile/disagreeable/morally dubious person],
There is no blame.
[Early discord often brings a feeling of loss or regret. Let the “horse” go if it drifts – chasing it drives it farther.]
Nine in the second place means:
You meet/encounter your lord/master in a narrow lane.
[By taking a humble, indirect, approach (the sideways route) when the direct path is blocked —the separation is bridged]
No blame.
[Inconvenient/awkward/unpleasant/unexpected/unavoidable encounter with your superior - you are not to be blamed for this.]
Six in the third place means:
One sees the cart being pulled back,
Its oxen being held back/restrained;
A man’s hair and nose cut off.
[Criminal punishments - tattooed forehead and nose cut off]
There is no good beginning,
But there is a good end.
[You feel thoroughly obstructed, publicly humiliated - it begins very badly yet if you endure the outcome turns positive.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Isolated in opposition/estrangement,
One meets a person of fundamental character
[Principal/prime/leading man of solid worth/genuine person of strength and integrity]
With whom one can join in sincere faith [mutual trust].
Despite danger, no blame.
[You are alone in the midst of discord, but here you meet a person of genuine, solid character whom you can trust.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Regret vanishes.
Your kinsman [from your clan/own group]
Bites through the tender skin.
[Obstacles dissolve easily - connection restores itself naturally/natural allies reconnect]
Going forward,
What blame is there?
[The earlier regret over the estrangement disappears because your own people make quick, easy progress.]
Nine at the top means:
Isolated in opposition/estrangement,
One sees a pig laden with mire,
A carriage full of demons.
First he draws his bow against them,
Then he lays the bow aside.
They are not robbers, they come to seek marriage.
Going forward, [if you] encounter rain,
[Emotional reconciliation, release of tension, restored harmony]
Then there will be good fortune.
[At the extreme of isolation, misperception is at its height: you see allies as filthy or demonic (cart full of ghosts).]
39. 蹇 Jiǎn / Obstruction (Limping, Hardship)
THE JUDGMENT
OBSTRUCTION. Beneficial to the southwest [Kun/Earth direction].
Not beneficial to the northeast [Gen/Mountain direction].
Beneficial to see the great person.
Perseverance [steadfast correctness] brings good fortune.
[Movement under obstructed conditions. Strategic retreat is wisdom rather than failure.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Going brings obstructions,
Coming [withdrawing, returning, not advancing further] brings praise.
[You are at the very start of the obstacle. If you push ahead now (“going”), you only create more limping/greater difficulty.]
Six in the second place means:
The king’s servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction,
It is not for reasons of his own person [his own body/self; not selfishly motivated].
[You are in the position of the loyal servant — doing your duty, not acting for personal gain. Obstacles pile up anyway.]
Nine in the third place means:
Going brings obstructions,
So he comes back [returning is desirable/better].
[Strong urge to advance, but it only produces more limping. The correct and wise move is to turn back, return, regroup.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Going brings obstructions,
Coming [withdrawing, returning, not advancing further] brings connection [union, alliance, joining].
[Forward action is still blocked. By returning or changing course you now form a real connection — e.g. an alliance.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
In the midst of the greatest obstructions,
Friends come.
[Leadership in hardship draws sincere support. True allies gather around responsible leadership during hardship.]
Six at the top means:
Going brings obstructions,
Coming [withdrawing, returning, not advancing further] brings greatness [something substantial, significant].
Good fortune.
Beneficial to see the great person.
[The difficulty has reached its peak. Continuing to push is useless. By completing the turn something eminent emerges.]
40. 解 Jiě / Release (Liberation, Deliverance, Unbinding, Resolution)
THE JUDGMENT
RELEASE.
[Release from difficulty through loosening or resolving what is bound]
Advantageous in the southwest direction [Kun-yielding cooperation].
If there is nowhere to go,
[When the difficulty is already resolved, do not keep pushing forward unnecessarily]
One's return is auspicious.
[After release from danger, return to stability and ordinary life]
If there is somewhere one must go,
[If there is a task/direction/purpose]
Early/swift action brings good fortune.
[Once release becomes possible, act quickly and decisively]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
No blame.
[Simply allowing the release to happen naturally. The release is uncomplicated - avoid creating new complications.]
Nine in the second place means:
Hunting in the field one captures three foxes;
[Removes three (multiple) sly or hidden obstacles/cunning influences/subtle problems]
One obtains a yellow arrow.
[A tangible reward or balanced and accurate means of correction]
Perseverance brings good fortune.
[By facing subtle or tricky issues directly but fairly your upright approach will clear them and bring a tangible reward.]
Six in the third place means:
Carrying a burden/load on one's back
While riding in a carriage -
[Someone of low station attempting outward prestige]
This invites robbers to come.
[Improper positioning attracts danger]
Perseverance brings humiliation.
[You are in the wrong position: carrying heavy responsibilities while pretending to a higher status - it attracts trouble.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Release your big toe/thumb.
[The small but stubborn point of attachment that still holds you back]
Then friends will arrive
In truth/confidence.
[Identify the one small thing still anchoring you in the old tension and let it go. Then, supportive relationships arrive.]
Six in the fifth place means:
The noble person alone possesses the capacity for release,
[Only the superior person can bring authentic resolution]
Good fortune.
There is sincerity [being believed] toward the petty people.
[Even difficult people respond to genuine sincerity]
[True/lasting release can only be brought about by the noble person—the one acting from integrity/higher understanding.]
Six at the top means:
A duke uses this [his bow and arrow] to shoot a falcon
[A cunning and vicious petty person; destructive influence; aggressive predatory force]
Atop a high wall
[The threat is elevated/visible/entrenched]
Capturing it.
[Resolving the discord]
There is nothing that is not advantageous.
[The process of deliverance is almost complete. The last remaining obstacle is visible/elevated then removed completely.]
41. 損 Sǔn / Decrease (Diminution, Loss, Reduction)
THE JUDGMENT
DECREASE.
[It is purposeful reduction: decrease willingly, reduce excess, simplify sincerely, sacrifice the lesser for the greater]
With sincerity/trustworthiness there is supreme good fortune!
No blame.
Perseverance/steadfastness is suitable/possible/appropriate.
Beneficial to have somewhere to go [have a direction/purposeful movement].
How is it to be used/done?
Two [ritual] bamboo/grain bowls can be used for the offering [sacrifice].
[Sincerity matters more than abundance. Proper reduction creates future increase. Not all loss is harmful.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Ceasing affairs, hastening to go [proceeding swiftly].
No blame.
Consider how [much] to diminish it.
[Reduce carefully with discretion/moderation - avoid reckless reduction]
[Right at the start, stop whatever you are currently occupied with and move quickly toward the new, reduced situation.]
Nine in the second place means:
Beneficial to be steadfast.
Going on an expedition [advancing aggressively]: ominous.
Without decreasing [oneself],
[One is able to] bring increase [to others].
[Avoid self-damaging action/self-sacrifice beyond balance]
[Hold firm to your principles. Do not weaken yourself through excessive sacrifice or ambitious action.]
Six in the third place means:
Three people traveling [together],
Then they lose one person.
One person traveling,
Then he obtains his friend.
[Three is one too many — excess creates loss. One alone naturally attracts the right companion.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Diminish his ailment,
Make [the decrease of the ailment] swift,
[Delay worsens the problem]
And there will be joy [from the swift reduction].
No blame.
[There is a specific “ailment” (problem, flaw, illness, bad habit, debt, toxic element) that needs to be reduced.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Someone perhaps increases him.
Ten pairs of tortoise shells cannot oppose it.
Supreme good fortune.
[Help/increase is coming to/through you-it is so solidly fortunate even the most powerful oracle cannot contradict it.]
Nine at the top means:
Without decreasing, there is increase,
There is no blame.
Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Beneficial to have somewhere to go.
He obtains servants [followers, assistants, ministers, supporters]
But no longer has a separate home [a private household].
[The decrease has done its work. Now the direction reverses into increase, but without taking from anyone else.]
42. 益 Yì / Increase (Augmenting, Gaining, Benefiting)
THE JUDGMENT
INCREASE [that nourishes life]. It is beneficial
To have somewhere to go [to undertake something].
It is beneficial to cross the great river [major undertakings, dangerous transitions].
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Beneficial to use [this] for great undertakings.
Primordial/great good fortune. No blame.
[Strong, creative position at the start. Launch big initiatives or commit fully now. The timing is excellent.]
Six in the second place means:
Someone does indeed increase him [it],
Ten pairs of tortoises [shells] cannot oppose it.
[Even divination cannot contradict the favorable movement]
Persistent perseverance [lasting correctness] brings good fortune.
The king presents an offering to the Di [Supreme Deity].
Good fortune.
[Help/increase comes unexpectedly from outside sources—trust it and express thanks to the divine or those above.]
Six in the third place means:
Increase [comes through] dealing with calamitous affairs.
No blame, [if he is] sincere
[And] walks in the middle,
And reports to the duke
With a jade tablet [圭 guī].
[Trustworthy representation, official integrity, honorable communication]
[Growth can arrive precisely through difficulties/crises. Handling the hardship correctly turns it into lasting increase.]
Six in the fourth place means:
[If he] walks in the middle
And reports to the duke,
He [the duke] will follow.
Beneficial to be used
In the removal of the capital.
[Gaining trust through balanced conduct]
[Balanced action plus clear reporting gains full support from leadership. Excellent for major structural changes.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
[If in] truth/sincerity you have a kind heart, do not inquire [further]:
Supreme good fortune.
There is sincerity toward my virtue.
[Lit. His sincerity/inner truth benefits my virtue].
[Act from genuine kindness and sincerity without calculating returns or seeking reassurance. Supreme success follows.]
Nine at the top means:
No one increases him
[Nor does he bring increase to anyone]
Someone even strikes him.
He does not keep his heart/mind constantly steady.
Misfortune.
[If you stop giving increase to others or become self-serving, further growth halts and opposition arises.]
43. 夬 Guài / Resoluteness (Decisiveness, Decisive Action/Resolution, Break-through)
THE JUDGMENT
RESOLUTENESS. [Decisive separation through open declaration]
[One must] make [the matter] public
In the king's court.
[Accumulated pressure that must finally be declared openly before authority]
Sincerely proclaiming [it] involves danger.
[Declare the truth openly and remove corruption firmly but carefully]
[One must] announce/report from one's own town/domain/base.
[First put your own house in order]
Not advantageous to immediately resort to arms.
[Firmness yes - violent escalation no]
Advantageous to have a place to go [to have a destination/a purposeful direction].
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Strength in the [forward-moving] toes.
[Eagerness, premature advance, acting before full readiness]
To go forth and not be victorious,
Constitutes a mistake.
[You feel the urge to act — the toes are already pushing forward. But the rest of the body is not yet fully engaged.]
Nine in the second place means:
[Anxious] cries of alarm.
At evening and night there are armed men.
Do not worry.
[Stay vigilant/ready to sound the alarm. Unexpected opposition may appear suddenly, but there is no real cause for worry.]
Nine in the third place means:
Strength in the cheekbones.
[Outward boldness or grim determination; aggressive expression, confrontational appearance]
There is misfortune.
The superior person is decisively resolute.
Walking alone, he meets with rain.
[Difficulty, emotional soaking, humiliation, isolation]
[He is] as if soaked,
And [people] are resentful.
No blame.
[Outward shows of strength or confrontation will backfire but steadfast inner resolve remains blameless. ]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The buttocks have no skin.
[Painful inability to sit/rest - ancient image of severe discomfort]
[His] steps falter and hesitate.
[If one] leads the sheep forward, regret vanishes.
[Softness, yielding guidance, non-forceful movement]
(But) hearing these words,
[One] does not believe [them].
[The counter-intuitive advice is to yield/follow gently. This is how the obstruction dissolves and regret vanishes.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
[Like dealing with] xianlu [a tenacious weed],
Decisive resolutness [is needed].
Walking the central path,
No blame.
[Some problems are like the xianlu weed — tough, deep-rooted, and quick to regrow. Half-measures will not suffice.]
Six at the top means:
No [warning] cry/proclamation [is raised].
[What should have been named was not named]
In the end, there is misfortune.
[Victory is not secure until the last step is taken decisively. Otherwise misfortune returns in the end.]
44. 姤 Gòu / Unexpected Meeting (Encountering, Coming to Meet, Coupling)
THE JUDGMENT
UNEXPECTED MEETING. The woman is powerful [vigorous/strong/bold].
One should not [use, employ] proceed to marry such a woman.
[A powerful, unexpected influence appearing suddenly and seeking entry into an established order. Resist temptation!]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Tied to a metal brake-block.
Correct persistence brings good fortune.
Having somewhere to go [if one proceeds] brings misfortune [lit. misfortune appears].
A lean/emaciated sow [mature female pig]
Is genuinely/truly restless [and pacing about].
[The pig is weak and restrained yet potentially troublesome]
[The intrusive influence is at its earliest/most containable stage. Tie it down firmly or it will cause trouble later.]
Nine in the second place means:
The wrappings contain a fish.
No blame.
Not beneficial for guests/outsiders [keep it private; do not share it with outsiders].
[You have successfully caught and contained the intrusive force ("fish"). No blame – this is correct action.]
Nine in the third place means:
Buttocks without skin.
[The association/contact is causing real discomfort or awkwardness]
His walking is hesitant and limping.
[The encounter has already produced consequences]
Danger.
No great blame.
[You have come into direct, raw contact with the encounter and it has left you exposed/sore. There is real danger here.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The wrappings/enclosure contain no fish.
[The contained influence has slipped away]
To stir [things] up brings misfortune.
[Best to withdraw and wait]
[Accept that the opportunity for containment has passed. Do not force matters now.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Using willow to wrap the melon.
[The ruler does not suppress through force]
Containing the pattern [brilliance, distinction].
[Concealing inner excellence]
There is a fall from heaven.
[A sudden descent/gift from above]
[Wise, protective containment from a position of strength. A sudden blessing or opportunity will fall from heaven.]
Nine at the top means:
Meeting it at the horns.
[The encounter remained superficial and harmless]
Difficulty and regret. No blame.
[You have kept proper distance. You did the right thing by not getting deeply involved.]
45. 萃 Cuì / Gathering Together (Massing, Clustering, Aggregation)
THE JUDGMENT
GATHERING TOGETHER.
[Concentration of people, resources, loyalties, emotions, and spiritual energies around a common center]
Success [smooth progress].
The king approaches [his ancestral] temple.
It is beneficial to see the great person.
Success [smooth progress]. Beneficial [to remain] steadfast and correct.
Using a major/great sacrificial offering [large animal] is auspicious.
It is beneficial to have somewhere to go [to have a destination, to undertake a purpose].
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Having sincerity/trust, but not to the end,
[There is sincerity, but it does not last]
Leads to confusion and gathering [disordered/forced clustering].
If one cries/calls out,
After one grasp of the hand there can be laughter.
Do not worry. Going forth, no blame.
[Initial confusion is resolved by reconnecting sincerely with the right people.]
Six in the second place means:
Being drawn/led [together] brings good fortune.
No blame.
If there is sincerity,
It is [even] beneficial to use
The simple [summer] offering [yuè sacrifice].
[Allowing yourself to be drawn or guided by the group (or a leader) leads to positive results without error.]
Six in the third place means:
Gathering together amid sighs and laments.
[Someone who wants connection but feels excluded, left out or disconnected]
No benefit in anything [in current actions].
Going forth, no blame.
There is minor humiliation [slight embarrassment].
[If gathering feels sorrowful/frustrating, like sighing over unfulfilled connections, step ahead to find better alignment.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Great good fortune. No blame.
[The individual serves as an effective bridge between leader and people. Unity functions naturally.]
[This strong position in the gathering brings major success (effortless good fortune through proper alliances).]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Gathering [while in an authoritative] position.
[Position of influence]
No blame.
[If] trust is not yet complete/firm/established,
[Use/maintain] primordial, enduring perseverance,
[Then] regret vanishes.
[If others' trust isn't fully established (people doubt your motives), rely on fundamental, long-lasting integrity.]
Six at the top means:
Lamenting and sighing, weeping and sniveling.
[Expressesing its desire for gathering through weeping and wailing - this is genuine emotional distress]
No blame.
[The person remains outside the gathering and deeply feels the separation/isolation. The longing itself is genuine.]
46. 升 Shēng / Ascending (Pushing Upward, Rising, Gradual Advancement)
THE JUDGMENT
ASCENDING.
[Describes gradual, organic, patient advancement which comes through steady development]
Supreme/great success [the primal offering is received].
Used/beneficial to see the great person.
[Seek the guidance or support of an experienced and capable person]
Do not worry/be anxious.
Campaigning/advancing southward [associated with fire, brightness, and recognition]:
[Move forward with confidence]
Auspicious.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Truly [trustworthy, confidently, allowed, indeed] ascending.
[Permitted or confident rise]
Greatly auspicious.
[In a low position, your ascent begins with trust from others — permission or encouragement allows smooth progress.]
Nine in the second place means:
[With true] sincerity it is thus beneficial
To make even the simplest offering [the yuè sacrifice - a small offering].
No blame.
[Even with limited resources, sincere intent makes modest actions (like a small sacrifice) effective and blameless.]
Nine in the third place means:
Ascending into an empty city.
[As it ascends, it forges ahead without doubt or fear]
[This warns of apparent ease hiding lack of substance; progress feels unimpeded but may lead to isolation or disillusion.]
Six in the fourth place means:
The king performs the offering at Mount Qi.
Auspicious. No blame.
[This symbolizes ritual alignment with higher powers/traditions; humble devotion/proper procedures aid advancement.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Steadfastness is auspicious.
Ascending the steps.
[Staying firm and persevering leads to good fortune, as you climb actual steps toward achievement.]
Six at the top means:
Darkened [hidden] ascending
[or Ascending in darkness]
Beneficial for unceasing steadfastness.
[Warning: Over-ambition without clarity (blind or obscured ascending) leads to exhaustion; refocus on enduring principles.]
47. 困 Kùn / Confinement (Exhaustion, Oppression, Entrapment, Distress)
THE JUDGMENT
CONFINEMENT.
[Being hemmed in, exhausted, cut off from resources, and forced to discover inner strength when outer support fails. This is a constraint that tests character.]
There is success.
Perseverance/constancy [in adversity] brings good fortune to the great person.
No blame.
[When] there are words,
They are not believed.
[Circumstances have reached a point where explanations, arguments, self-justification, and persuasion are ineffective. The answer is integrity/character.]
[The water that should nourish the lake is sinking away beneath it. The lake becomes depleted. True strength is revealed when circumstances become restrictive and external support disappears.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Buttocks confined [under/against] a bare [tree] stump.
[Discomfort and immobility from poor choices or bad positioning]
He enters into a dark valley.
[Retreating into isolation or obscurity]
For three years he does not appear [is not seen].
[Long period of withdrawal]
[This line depicts the lowest level of entrapment: it warns of getting stuck in a low/hidden place due to passivity/errors.]
Nine in the second place means:
Confined amidst wine and food.
The scarlet knee-covers are about to arrive.
[Symbols of high-ranking help or authority]
It is beneficial to use this in offering sacrifice.
[Humble, ritual actions to align with higher powers]
To advance brings misfortune.
No blame.
[One is "trapped" while in abundance (wine and food); comfort or indulgence that distracts from the real adversity.]
Six in the third place means:
Confined by/among stones,
Leaning on thorns and brambles.
[Self-inflicted suffering from relying on unreliable or harmful things. The person seeks support but chooses things that injure him]
He enters his house/palace/dwelling and does not see his wife.
[Symbolizes domestic or relational disconnection - even home offers no comfort]
Misfortune.
[This cautions against stubborn attachments or illusions that worsen isolation; it's a low point of adversity.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
He comes slowly [progress is slow], confined in/by a golden carriage.
[Perhaps symbolizing pride, obligations, or external honors that weigh him down]
Distress [regret and difficulty], but there is an end.
[If advancement feels hindered by your own status/tools, proceed cautiously/humbly — the slowness is protective.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Nose and feet cut off [extreme restriction].
Confined by the scarlet knee-covers.
[A ruler constrained by office. Power itself becomes imprisonment. Perhaps overbearing authority or protocol from equals/peers]
Then, slowly, there is [relief and] joy.
It is beneficial to use this
In making offerings and sacrifices.
[Turning to inner rituals or humility for relief]
[Ruler-like position in crisis: endure the mutilating constraints with grace - joy follows through spiritual focus.]
Six at the top means:
Confined by creeping/tangled vines.
[Entangling growths that bind softly but persistently]
Teetering anxiously [in a precarious and anxious position].
[The prison now is largely mental. The person fears action. The fear itself becomes the confinement]
He says, "To move brings regret" [if I move, I will regret it].
If he feels regret and moves,
There will be good fortune.
[Only movement breaks the entanglement]
[Peak of adversity: hesitation breeds more entanglement—recognize the regret, then move forward with resolve to break free.]
48. 井 Jǐng / The Well (Replenishing Vitality, Restoring Essence, Reviving Life Force)
THE JUDGMENT
THE WELL.
[The well symbolizes a lasting source of value/life]
A settlement can be changed/relocated,
But a well cannot be changed/relocated.
It neither loses nor gains.
People come and go, [yet] the well remains the well.
If the rope is almost to the water
[But has not yet drawn from the well],
Or if the jug breaks, that is misfortune.
[The Well hexagram symbolizes that doing things is like drawing water; firstly, one must be focused and attentive, and secondly, one must see things through to the end.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Muddy well, not for drinking.
An old well [attracts] no birds [creatures].
[This depicts a valuable yet neglected resource, silted-up well full of mud, undrinkable and abandoned even by animals.]
Nine in the second place means:
At the well's gully [well hollow, well bottom, well depression],
One shoots [fishes for] small fish [minnows].
The water jug is broken and leaks.
[This represents squandered potential — focusing on trivial gains with faulty tools, leading to waste.]
Nine in the third place means:
The well has been dredged [cleaned], but not drunk from.
This is sorrow to my heart.
For it could be drawn from.
If the king were discerning,
All would receive its blessing.
[Symbolizes overlooked value or potential that's ready but unused. A good opportunity or resource exists but is ignored.]
Six in the fourth place means:
The well is lined with brick/stone/tile. No blame.
[The well is being properly repaired or reinforced, ensuring stability without fault.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The well is clear;
The cold spring [water] is drunk.
[Symbolizes accessible, high-quality resources or wisdom, fully utilized for nourishment.]
Six at the top means:
The well's drawing is complete;
Do not cover it.
There is sincerity.
Primordial/great good fortune.
[The well is fully operational and water is being drawn ("received"), so do not curtain or cover it — keep it open.]
49. 革 Gé / Radical Change (Revolution, Reform, Molting, Renewal, "Leather/Hide")
THE JUDGMENT
RADICAL CHANGE.
[Legitimate transformation: a change that is necessary, timely, and supported by genuine conviction rather than impulse.]
On the jǐ-day [the right time - the emphasis is on timing],
Then there is sincerity/trust/belief.
Supreme success.
Beneficial to be steadfast and correct.
Regret vanishes.
[Premature revolution becomes chaos. Delayed revolution becomes decay. Rightly timed revolution becomes renewal.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Bound with the leather of a yellow ox.
[Symbolizes calm strength and self-control]
[At the start of change, restraint is key. Don't act yet; the time isn't ripe, so hold back to avoid tearing things apart.]
Six in the second place means:
On the jǐ-day [when the time is ripe],
Then enact the change.
To advance is auspicious. No blame.
[Now the timing aligns ("day of ji"), so move ahead confidently and implement the change deliberately and with purpose.]
Nine in the third place means:
To advance brings misfortune.
Steadfastness brings danger.
"The change" talk has gone round three times,
[Repeated deliberation - thorough consultation before action]
Then there is trust.
[Rushing ahead leads to disaster, even holding firm is risky without consensus. Sincerity is built after trust is secured.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Regret vanishes.
Having trust, Changing the mandate:
[Altering fate or the heavenly mandate (a fundamental change in direction or role)]
Auspicious.
[This line marks a pivot where change becomes endorsed, gains legitimate authority.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The great man changes like a tiger.
[A leader or great person enacts transformation dramatically; the change is obvious to everyone]
Before consulting the oracle [even without divining],
There is trust [trust exists without needing confirmation].
[Sincerity is so evident that no oracle consultation is needed — intuition suffices.]
Six at the top means:
The noble man changes like a leopard.
[The superior person refines change subtly - more refined than tiger transformation]
The petty man changes his face [outward aspect - superficial reform].
To advance brings misfortune.
[Now is the time to stabilize what has been achieved]
Abiding in steadfastness is auspicious.
[After major shifts, focus on internal refinement; avoid overreaching, and stability will be fortunate.]
50. 鼎 Dǐng / The Cauldron (The Ritual Sacrificial Vessel)
THE JUDGMENT
THE CAULDRON.
[Ancient meanings include: cooking/nourishment, sacrifice, ritual authority, established government/political authority/power, cultural legitimacy/refinement, transformation through nourishment and refinement; upright and dignified.]
Primary auspiciousness [supreme good fortune].
Success [successful progress].
[After revolutionary change, it now nourishes people, ancestors, spirits, institutions, and culture.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
The cauldron's feet are upturned.
[The cauldron is turned upside down]
Beneficial to expel the foul/stagnant.
[Symbolizing the need to clear out old and useless]
Takes a concubine for the sake of her son.
[Concubine along with her son]
[Accepting something unconventional or humble for long-term gain/greater purpose]
No blame.
[If facing a blockage or outdated situation, actively remove obstacles; embrace non-traditional alliances or methods.]
Nine in the second place means:
The cauldron has substance [solid contents/food].
My adversaries/counterpart are afflicted/envious,
[But they ]cannot reach/attack me.
[Self-sufficiency and protection through inner strength (because one's position is sound)]
Auspicious.
[Trust your resources and position; external threats are impotent if you stay grounded.]
Nine in the third place means:
The cauldron's handles/ears are altered/transformed [impaired].
Its movement/function [use] is obstructed.
The pheasant's rich fat is not eaten.
Just as rain falls, regret diminishes.
Ultimately auspicious.
[Here progress is stalled by misalignment or unreadiness — good opportunities are present but not yet graspable.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The cauldron's legs are broken/defective.
[The structure fails under the weight of responsibility]
The prince's thick gruel is overturned/spilled.
And his person is stained/soiled.
[Structural weakness leading to loss and humiliation]
Ominous.
[Disaster strikes: the cauldron's supports fail - this warns of structural weakness leading to loss and humiliation.]
Six in the fifth place means:
The cauldron has yellow ears/handles, golden carrying rings/yokes.
[Symbolizing reliable, balanced leadership]
[The xuan (弦), a bronze tool for lifting the ding, is used to lift the two handles]
Beneficial to be/remain steadfast.
[You're in a position of influence or harmony; hold firm to your principles and use supportive tools/people wisely.]
Nine at the top means:
The cauldron has jade carrying rings/yokes.
[Elevating the vessel to its highest potential - noble refinement, spiritual excellence]
Greatly auspicious.
[Power and virtue are fully united]
[Embodies both firmness and gentleness, representing a wise and virtuous gentleman who is both talented and humble]
Nothing not beneficial.
[Culmination of refinement; embrace elevated ideals or methods for widespread gain. Nothing hinders progress.]
51. 震 Zhèn / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder, Sudden Awakening)
THE JUDGMENT
SHOCK brings about success.
Shock comes - terrifying, terrifying!
[Trembling with fear]
Then laughing talk - ah, ah!
[Relieved conversation]
The shock terrifies a hundred miles,
[Yet] one does not lose [drop] the sacrificial ladle and [sacred] aromatic wine.
[Emphasizing composure amid chaos]
[The image depicts: sudden events, unexpected news, crisis, startling realization, awakening from complacency, divine warning,
renewed vitality through disturbance.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Shock comes - terrifying, terrifying!
Afterwards, laughing talk - ah, ah!
Good fortune.
[At the onset, shock hits hard with raw fear (trembling repeated). But it passes, leading to joyful relief (ha ha).]
Six in the second place means:
Shock comes, dangerous.
One may lose one's cowrie treasures [shell money].
Climbing the nine mounds [high hills],
[Withdraw to a vantage point, gain perspective]
Do not pursue.
In seven days, you will regain them.
[Shock brings real danger, potentially causing great loss. Instead of pursuing frantically, ascend to higher ground.]
Six in the third place means:
Shock [comes] leaving one shaken and unsettled;
[Great shock causing his spirit to scatter and become disoriented].
[Restless, reviving slowly]
If one acts in the shock,
One will be without fault.
[Shock stirs a sluggish/uneasy revival (like after fainting). If you respond actively to the shock, you avoid mistakes.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Shock is mired in mud [sinks into the mud].
[Being stuck, ineffective in aftermath. Fear has become paralysis.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Shock goes and comes, dangerous.
[Yet] essentially nothing is lost;
There are affairs to be attended to.
[Shock oscillates (comes and goes), posing ongoing severity. Yet, despite the scale, nothing essential is truly lost.]
Six at the top means:
Shock brings paralyzed stiffness and frightened glances.
Advancing brings misfortune.
If the shock has not yet reached one's own person
But has reached one's neighbor,
There is no blame.
[Blamelessness if shock hits others first]
One's companions will have words [of criticism].
[Shock induces paralysis (stiff, frozen) and panicked looks (darting eyes, repeated). Pushing forward is disastrous.]
52. 艮 Gèn / Keeping Still (Stillness, Stilling, Arresting, Mountain)
THE JUDGMENT
KEEPING STILL.
[Two mountains together suggest: stability, boundaries, self-restraint, knowing when enough is enough, stopping movement at the correct point (stopping where stopping is appropriate).]
Keeps his back still.
He does not feel [obtain/perceive] his body.
He walks in his courtyard
But does not see his people.
No blame.
[You remain among people and events, yet are not ruled by attachment, anxiety, or emotional agitation.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Stilling his toes.
No blame.
Beneficial to be constant and steadfast.
[To remain steadfast over time]
[Halting early prevents mistakes. Recognize a problematic course early and refrain from taking the first step.]
Six in the second place means:
Stilling his calves.
He cannot rescue/save the one he follows.
His heart is not glad/happy.
[The person wishes to follow or help someone but cannot. Thus frustration arises.]
[Don't chase what you can't control; accept limitations to avoid frustration.]
Nine in the third place means:
Stilling his waist/loins.
His spine muscles are split/torn [cleaving the spine].
Danger. It smothers/scorches/suffocates the heart [emotional distress].
[Over-rigidity causing inner harm.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Stilling his torso/trunk.
No blame.
[Centered calm without overreaching. Stillness is natural rather than forced.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Stilling his jaws/cheeks.
Words have sequence/order [measured speech].
Regret vanishes.
[Restraint in communication leads to harmony.]
Nine at the top means:
Sincerely/Massively stilling [Profound stillness].
Auspicious.
[Full, genuine stillness at the peak — solid and unwavering. It is complete inner stability.]
53. 漸 Jiàn / Gradual Advance (Gradual Progress, Development)
THE JUDGMENT
GRADUAL ADVANCE. [When] a young woman is married [and joins her new household]
Good fortune [follows].
Beneficial to be steadfast/to persevere.
[Lasting success develops gradually according to the proper sequence of things - undertakings must mature naturally rather than be forced. Organic growth that follows the correct order.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the riverbank [near the shore].
The youngest son [young person] is in danger.
[Beginner or subordinate in a vulnerable position]
There is [criticism and] gossip. No blame.
[You're exposed and may face minor threats/judgments. If you proceed gradually without overreacting, there's no fault.]
Six in the second place means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the boulder [large rock].
Eating and drinking are joyful and harmonious.
[Supportive environment where basic needs are met harmoniously]
Auspicious.
[Progress is smooth when you find reliable allies or resources; enjoyment comes from simple, balanced interactions.]
Nine in the third place means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the highland [dry plateau].
The husband goes to war and does not return.
The wife is pregnant but does not rear/raise [the child].
[Does not give birth perhaps - fails to nurture]
Misfortune.
Beneficial for guarding against/fending off robbers/bandits.
[Haste or improper timing disrupts natural order, leading to separation, loss, or incomplete efforts.]
Six in the fourth place means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the tree.
Perhaps it obtains a flat [stable] branch [on which to rest].
[Perch that's secure but precarious]
No blame.
[In an awkward or unstable situation, adaptability leads to safety and allows safe and blameless progress.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the hill [summit].
For three years the woman does not conceive.
In the end, nothing can overcome her [defeat her purpose].
[Persistence overcomes barriers - fate or obstacles cannot prevent eventual success]
Auspicious.
[Long waits or obstacles in leadership/central positions eventually resolve favorably if you endure/maintain virtue.]
Nine at the top means:
The wild goose gradually advances to the plateau [crossroads/thoroughfare].
[Or high, level ground - beyond ordinary concerns]
Its feathers can be used for ceremonial rites.
Auspicious.
[Completion of gradual progress leads to spiritual or exemplary influence.]
54. 歸妹 Guī Mèi / The Marrying Maiden (The Secondary Bride, The Younger Sister Marries)
THE JUDGMENT
THE MARRYING MAIDEN.
[In ancient Chinese practice, this hexagram specifically refers to the marriage of a younger sister as a secondary bride - she enters a situation created by others (a common political practice in the Zhou dynasty)]
To set forth [advancing/taking initiative] brings misfortune.
Nothing that would further.
[It is about entering a relationship, alliance, project, institution, or situation from a subordinate and constrained position, where one's freedom of action is limited and where proper conduct matters more than personal ambition.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
The marrying maiden as a secondary bride/wife [concubine].
A lame person who is [still] able to tread.
[Even with limitations, steady progress is possible if you don't overextend]
To set forth brings good fortune.
[If you're in a low/restricted position (e.g. new job), persist quietly—good results follow from adaptability, not complaint.]
Nine in the second place means:
A one-eyed person who is [still] able to see.
[Limited resources or perspective/understanding yet sufficient for the task]
The perseverance of a secluded person [someone withdrawn or in solitude] is fruitful.
[Withdrawing or staying low-key (like a hermit) allows perseverance to pay off]
[This line advises solitude and inner strength during uncertainty; don't seek alliances or visibility yet.]
Six in the third place means:
The marrying maiden as a [waiting] attendant.
[Lowly or delayed position like a servant or someone biding time (woman awaiting marriage)]
She turns back/returns and is married off
As a secondary bride/wife [concubine].
[Overall, this line warns of impatience or overreaching from a weak spot, resulting in demotion.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The marrying maiden delays the date [misses the appointed time].
[Delaying a union or action beyond the expected moment, avoiding haste]
A late/delayed marriage has its proper time.
[Waiting aligns with proper timing, turning potential misfortune into opportunity]
[Restraint here builds strength; don't rush into commitments.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Emperor Yi [father of King Wen] gives his daughter in marriage.
The sleeves of the ruler's daughter
Are not as splendid
As those of the secondary bride/wife [concubine].
[Voluntary humility despite high status affirms success from this restraint]
The moon is almost full.
[Approaching fulfillment without excess]
Good fortune.
[Even from a position of power, act with understatement and equality—avoid ostentation. Prioritize harmony over show.]
Six at the top means:
The woman holds/carries the basket,
But there is no fruit in it [it is empty].
The man stabs [sacrifices] the sheep,
But no blood flows.
Nothing that would further.
[Actions here are futile, lacking sincerity or vitality-Everything looks correct externally, yet nothing real is happening]
[This line signals hollow efforts or endings without results; abandon pursuits.]
55. 豐 Fēng / Abundance (Abundance of Clear Discernment, Peak Fullness, Blinded by Success)
THE JUDGMENT
ABUNDANCE. Success [smooth progress].
The king attains it.
Do not worry.
It is fitting to be like the sun at noon [midday].
[Moment when conditions have reached their greatest strength and visibility - Like noon, fullness is powerful but temporary.]
[Hexagram 55 is not primarily about the possession of abundance, but about the challenge of maintaining discernment when illumination has become excessive. When things become extremely bright, people often lose perspective.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Meeting one's matching lord.
[Meeting a complementary equal, fitting counterpart, perhaps line two]
Even for ten days [a whole cycle], no blame.
Going forth [together] brings esteem [elevation and honor].
[A strong start in abundance: you meet a complementary ally or equal (like a matched lord) who shares your path.]
Six in the second place means:
Abundance covered by a screen.
[Implies obstruction or veiling abundance - something obscuring abundance].
At midday, seeing the Dipper.
Going forth meets with suspicion and illness.
[Doubt or mistrust leading to affliction]
If there is sincerity/truthfulness, and it is expressed/activated,
[Like the sun breaking through]
There will be good fortune.
[Obstructions cloud your view; counter them with genuine faith and initiative to dispel doubts and achieve good outcomes.]
Nine in the third place means:
Abundance is like a dense/dark curtain.
[Excessive abundance floods like a heavy curtain].
At midday, seeing small stars [faint specks].
Breaking his right arm. No blame.
[Your ability to act is temporarily impaired, yet this is not your fault]
[Excessive abundance is dimming the day to where only faint specks (foam-like stars or illusions) appear.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Abundance covered by a screen.
[Implies obstruction or veiling abundance - something obscuring abundance].
At midday, seeing the Dipper.
Meeting one's leveling lord [meeting the equal who knows the dark].
[Balancing counterpart is yielding line five, concealed brightness]
Good fortune.
[Similar veiling as in line 2 but here, you encounter an "equalizing ruler"—a balancing counterpart who levels the excess.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Coming [with] brightness [patterned brilliance - outer expression of inner clarity].
[Clarity and excellence arrive - like beneficial influences or allies]
There is cause for celebration and praise.
Good fortune.
[Positive qualities become visible and attract support, recognition, and success.]
Six at the top means:
Enlarging his house.
[His house is in full abundance]
Covering his household [family] with thatch.
[Screens off his family]
Peeping through his door/gate [looking inside the house/yard],
It is still and without people.
For three years, he does not see anyone.
[Abundance turns inward and excessive - external prosperity grows, but isolation grows with it]
Misfortune.
[The house is overfull, veiling the family (hiding inner life), long isolated period leads to misfortune from seclusion.]
56. 旅 Lǚ / The Traveler (The Wanderer, The Sojourner)
THE JUDGMENT
THE TRAVELER. Success through smallness [modest/limited success is possible].
For the traveler,
Correct perseverance brings good fortune.
[Like a guest following local rules]
[Central theme here is a person who is away from home (or without home), without roots, status, protection, or permanent authority. Do not expect grand achievements while in a temporary or vulnerable position.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
The traveler is mean and petty [acts in a trivial, petty way].
[Perhaps obsessing over minor details or acting cheaply; losing dignity]
This is what brings calamity upon himself [like attracting thieves or mishaps].
[At the start, the traveler behaves in a small-minded, fussy manner. This self-sabotaging attitude draws trouble.]
Six in the second place means:
The traveler comes to his lodging [at an inn].
[Settles temporarily]
He is in possession of his traveling funds [carries his resources].
He gains the steadfastness/loyalty of a young servant.
[The traveler reaches a safe resting spot, has his essentials, secures reliable help. This builds a stable base.]
Nine in the third place means:
The traveler's lodging [inn] burns down
He loses the steadfastness/loyalty of his young servant.
[Overconfidence or haste causes disaster]
Perseverance/correctness brings danger.
[As the situation demands quick adaptation - danger lies in stubbornness/persistence]
[If you're pushing too hard in unstable conditions, you risk losing what little support you have. Step back, reassess.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
The traveler is in a resting/dwelling place [a shelter].
He obtains/acquires his traveling funds and his axe [a weapon for protection].
But my heart/mind is not joyful [at ease].
[Emotional discomfort signals something's off - caution against complacency]
[Even with material security, emotional discomfort signals something's off; perhaps isolation or unresolved issues.]
Six in the fifth place means:
He shoots a pheasant
One arrow is spent/lost.
[A small effort yields a prize, though with a minor loss]
In the end, he receives praise and an appointment [a mandate].
[This leads to recognition and a new role or opportunity]
[In uncertain travels, a calculated risk/modest action can bring rewards/elevation. Accept small costs for bigger gains.]
Nine at the top means:
A bird burns its nest.
[Like a bird destroying its own home through carelessness/excessive elevation]
The traveler first laughs,
Afterwards wails and laments.
He loses his ox through carelessness [lit. in a borderland; in Yi 易].
[Ox symbolizing livelihood, reliability or direction]
Misfortune.
[Total misfortune from negligence]
[The traveler starts with joy or overconfidence but ends in sorrow—losing something vital in a lax/frontier-like setting.]
57. 巽 Xùn / The Gentle Penetrating (Wind, The Gentle, Compliance, Subtle Influence)
THE JUDGMENT
THE GENTLE PENETRATING.
Success through what is small [small success].
Advantageous to have somewhere to go [to have a direction to pursue].
Advantageous to see the great man.
[巽 (Xùn) carries several layers of meaning simultaneously: wind, wood, entering, penetrating, yielding, compliance, submission, and gradual influence. Gentle influence entering gradually and everywhere and ultimately transforms from within.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Hesitant advance and retreat.
The perseverance of a warrior is advantageous.
[A warrior here means discipline, not force]
[This line shows indecision, like someone wavering between moving forward or pulling back in a new venture.]
Nine in the second place means:
Penetrating under the bed.
[Gentle influence reaches hidden or low places - the obscure or subconscious]
Use/employ scribes and shamans, in abundance and variety.
[Seeking diverse advice from experts, diviners, or counselors in a thorough, even chaotic way]
Auspicious. No blame.
[By humbly consulting multiple sources without ego, you uncover truths (hidden causes of a problem) and resolve issues.]
Nine in the third place means:
Constrained penetration.
[Overdoing the penetration - again and again penetrating]
[Frequent/repeated penetration - implying over-insistence]
Regret/humiliation.
[The meaning highlights exhaustion from forcing subtlety into aggression, leading to regret or embarrassment.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Regret vanishes.
In the hunt,
Capturing three kinds of game.
[Regret from past mistakes fades as practical success arrives-consistent effort now yields substantial practical results.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Firm correctness in perseverance brings auspiciousness.
Regret vanishes.
Nothing is not advantageous.
No beginning [the beginning was flawed], but there is an [good] end.
Before the Geng day [the change or renewal], three days;
After the Geng day [the change or renewal], three days.
[Advises careful timing, preparation and reflection afterwards]
Auspicious.
[This line is about strategic planning around transitions (correction or reform), ensuring lasting success through patience.]
Nine at the top means:
Penetrating under the bed.
[Gentle influence reaches hidden or low places - the obscure or subconscious]
Loses his resources/assets and axe.
[Overextension of gentleness — penetrating too far into the hidden - the person loses practical power]
Firm perseverance brings misfortune.
[Subtlety has become ineffective or paranoid - when influence reaches its limit, it collapses]
[Recognize when to stop probing or yielding; persistence in a lost cause leads to ruin—withdraw to prevent total loss.]
58. 兌 Duì / The Joyous (Open Exchange, Joyful Expression, The Lake)
THE JUDGMENT
THE JOYOUS. Success [smooth progress].
Beneficial to be steadfast.
[Shared joy succeeds when it remains grounded in integrity]
[The key theme is not merely "happiness" but communication, openness, mutual exchange, and the pleasure that arises from sincere human interaction. The hexagram concerns joy that is shared, expressed, and communicated—not private happiness.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Harmonious joyousness. Auspicious.
[This line shows joy arising from inner balance and mutual accord, without conflict. It's a strong starting position.]
Nine in the second place means:
Sincere/trusting joyousness. Auspicious.
Remorse/regret disappears.
[Here, joy stems from genuine trust and honesty, dispelling any past doubts or mistakes.]
Six in the third place means:
Incoming [solicitous, flattery] joyousness.
[Joy that "comes in" or is sought externally, with a pleading or ingratiating tone]
Ominous.
[Joy sought externally (from outside yourself) or through flattery arrives, but it's unstable and leads to trouble.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Debated/weighed [calculating] joyousness is not yet at peace.
[Yet] by distancing from
[Or setting boundaries against] the affliction, there is joy.
[Actively reject harmful elements (people, habits) to find peace]
[Joy is debated/weighed internally, causing unrest. By setting firm boundaries against negative influences, true joy emerges.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Sincerity/trust placed
In that which strips away [erodes, decay].
[Like deceitful allies or fading opportunities]
There is danger.
[Placing faith in destructive forces that decay or strip away stability is perilous.]
Six at the top means:
Seductive [leading/drawing-in] joyousness
[Alluring but empty pleasures that lead nowhere.]
59. 渙 Huàn / Dispersing (Dissolving Obstacles, Dispersing Separation, Scattering)
THE JUDGMENT
DISPERSING [brings] success.
The king approaches the ancestral temple.
[When society fragments, the ruler restores unity through shared ritual and common purpose]
Beneficial to cross the great river [major undertaking].
Beneficial to be steadfast and correct.
[The underlying idea of 渙 Huàn is not destruction or collapse. It is about removing barriers that prevent unity; dissolving tensions, breaking up rigid structures, separations, fears and removing hardened divisions, releasing accumulated blockage and bringing restoration of flow/movement. It elucidates the principles of governing and relieving disarray during times of chaos.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Using a strong horse for rescue.
[Swift, decisive action now prevents worse problems later]
Auspicious.
[Trouble/blockage is approaching. Don't hesitate—grab strong, reliable help immediately and rescue the situation.]
Nine in the second place means:
In dispersion,
Rushing to one's [place of] support [perhaps the bottom line].
[A safe base, trusted advisor, or core principle]
Regret vanishes.
[Things are scattering around you. Do not cling or panic. Quickly move toward a solid place or person of support.]
Six in the third place means:
Dispersing one's own self [his self-interest].
[Let go of “me-first” thinking or personal attachment]
No regret.
[Sacrifice your own ego or comfort for the larger situation.]
Six in the fourth place means:
Dispersing one's clique.
Primordial good fortune.
Dispersing forms a hill/mound [accumulation of higher gathering].
Not what the common/ordinary mind thinks of.
[After the scattering, something stronger and higher naturally gathers (the “mound”).]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Dispersion [like the streaming of] sweat
In king's great proclamation/announcement.
[The “sweat” metaphor emphasizes something irreversible and relieving]
[When] the king resides/abides in disarray [taking his proper position]
No blame.
[Clear/firm decision or announcement issued (or received) spreads like sweat from effort: once out, it cannot be taken back and brings relief.]
Nine at the top means:
Dispersing his blood [danger/injury, emotional entanglement or blood ties].
[The danger or toxic tie (symbolized by “blood”) is now dispersing]
Departing, keeping at a distance, going out,
[Leave it completely behind — go far away, depart, create distance]
No blame.
[... and you will be safe]
[Remove yourself completely from the danger or harmful attachment. Distance brings safety.]
60. 節 Jié / Limitation (Measure, Proper Limits, Measured Restraint)
THE JUDGMENT
LIMITATION [brings about] success.
Bitter limitation cannot be persevered in.
[Harsh or oppressive restrictions cannot be maintained for long]
[節 (Jié) does mean "limitation," but its deeper sense is articulation, regulation, measured division, proper boundaries, moderation, rhythm, and fitting restraint. It is the principle that makes things functional by giving them appropriate limits.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Not going out through the door of the [inner] courtyard.
[Stay inside your immediate private sphere (within familiar boundaries) until conditions become clearer]
No blame.
[No error comes from beginning with restraint; the time to expand has not arrived.]
Nine in the second place means:
Not going out through the door of the outer courtyard.
Misfortune.
[Limitation must not become permanent isolation. When the moment to engage arrives, step out.]
Six in the third place means:
If one does not practice limitation,
Then there will be sighing [lamentation].
No blame.
[You are not applying the necessary limit, and the result is audible regret.]
Six in the fourth place means:
At ease [comfortable] with limitation. Success.
[The limitation you have set now feels natural and secure.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
Sweet limitation [brings] good fortune.
[The limitation is no longer experienced as sacrifice - it has become wisdom]
Going forward meets with esteem [brings honor].
[The limitation has become “sweet” – pleasant, balanced, even enjoyable.]
Six at the top means:
Bitter limitation.
[Even if one is] steadfast, [it leads to] misfortune.
Regret vanishes.
[The limitation has turned bitter and you are trying to hold it with pure willpower.]
61. 中孚 Zhōng Fú / Centered Sincerity (Inner Truth, Genuine Trust)
THE JUDGMENT
CENTERED SINCERITY. [True sincerity reaches even] piglets and fish,
[Even simple creatures respond to genuine sincerity]
Auspicious.
Beneficial to cross the great river [water] [major ventures undertaken].
Beneficial to be steadfast and correct.
[中孚 (Zhōng Fú) is one of the clearest statements in the Zhou Yi about the power of genuine inner authenticity. It speaks more broadly about inner genuineness that creates trust, resonance, and influence rather than about "virtue" or "honesty".]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Being prepared/at peace brings auspiciousness.
[Your foundation must be inner preparedness and peace]
If there are other aims [concerns/intentions/agenda], it will not be tranquil [at ease/peaceful].
[Stay centered in sincerity without secret plans or divided loyalties]
[Inner truth requires freedom from hidden agendas; divided motives destroy peace.]
Nine in the second place means:
A calling crane is in the shade.
Its young one harmonizes with it [answers it].
"I have a fine cup of wine,
I will share it [completely] with you".
[True sincerity creates natural resonance/response - no force, just mutual joy.]
Six in the third place means:
One encounters an opponent [or an equal/perfect counterpart, exact match, friend, comrade].
Now drumming, now stopping;
Now weeping, now singing.
[Your center of gravity is now outside yourself (tied to the other person), you lose steadiness.]
Six in the fourth place means:
The moon is nearly full.
A team horse loses its mate.
[Mate separated/companion gone]
No blame.
[Near-perfect sincerity sometimes requires releasing a close tie. Doing so cleanly brings no blame.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
There is truth/sincerity
That binds everything/all together.
No blame.
[The leader or decision-maker whose inner truth creates real cohesion. People unite voluntarily/without coercion.]
Nine at the top means:
A fowl's [cock’s] cry ascends to heaven.
[Empty display — the cock crows loudly as if it could reach heaven, but it cannot fly]
Steadfastness [in this] brings misfortune.
[Empty display replaces genuine sincerity; insisting on appearances rather than reality brings misfortune.]
62. 小過 Xiǎo Guò / Small Exceeding (Minor Surpassing)
THE JUDGMENT
SMALL EXCEEDING. Success.
Perseverance [in what is correct] is beneficial.
One may attend to [undertake] small matters;
One should not attend to [undertake] great matters.
The flying bird leaves behind its cry/sound:
It is not appropriate/fitting to ascend,
It is appropriate/fitting to descend.
Great good fortune.
[Trying to rise too high or too quickly creates trouble. Success comes through remaining close to reality and dealing with what is immediately in front of you.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
The flying bird brings misfortune.
[The bird flies too soon. Stay grounded - do nothing ambitious yet - attempting too much too soon invites failure.]
Six in the second place means:
Surpassing one's grandfather [male ancestor];
Meeting one's grandmother [ancestress].
Not reaching one's prince [the ruler];
Meeting his minister.
No blame.
[Do not force your way to the highest position - walk the humble path: work through appropriate/accessible connections.]
Nine in the third place means:
[If one] does not exceed [the limit] in order to guard against [harm],
If one proceeds anyway [simply going along as if everything is normal; disdains taking thorough precautions]
Then perhaps someone may injure him [from behind, unexpectedly].
Misfortune.
[Avoid carelessness; neglecting obvious dangers invites harm. The time demands attention to small/insignificant things.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
No blame. Without exceeding [the limit], one meets him [the right person or situation].
Going forward is dangerous. One must be cautious/watchful.
Do not act. Be constantly persevering.
[Stop, be extremely cautious, do not act. Hold your position and remain vigilant. Just keep persevering in quiet correctnes.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Dense clouds, no rain,
Coming from our western suburbs.
The duke shoots with a stringed arrow
And takes/catches it [the bird] in its cave/nest/hole.
[Even when larger goals are blocked, a carefully aimed small action will hit its target and bring success.]
Six at the top means:
Not meeting [the right moment/proper occasion], but exceeding it [passing beyond it].
The flying bird leaves it behind.
Misfortune.
This is called calamity and disaster.
[You missed the right moment to connect or act - you went too far. Stop and retreat immediately.]
63. 既濟 Jì Jì / Already Completed (After Completion, Already Across, Already Forded)
THE JUDGMENT
ALREADY COMPLETED. Success in small matters.
Perseverance is beneficial.
Initial good fortune,
In the end, disorder.
[Once completion is achieved, decline can begin]
[A goal has been achieved and order has been established. The challenge now is not attaining success but preserving it.]
THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
He drags [draws back/pulls/restrains/breaks] his wheels.
He wets his tail [in the water].
No blame.
[Slow down, a small inconvenience ahead - no big deal. A small setback encourages caution and prevents greater problems.]
Six in the second place means:
A woman loses her carriage curtain.
Do not chase it [pursue/seek after it];
In seven days you will get it.
[What belongs to you will return naturally]
[Something valuable but secondary has slipped away - do not force the issue. Not every loss requires immediate action.]
Nine in the third place means:
The High Ancestor [King Wu Ding of Shang]
Attacked the Demon Region [Gui Territory].
For three years he conquered/subjugated it.
Petty people are not to be employed.
[Prolonged struggle was necessary and successful, but lowering standards now would be wrong.]
Six in the fourth place means:
[Even the] fine silk clothes become patched rags.
Be on guard all day.
[A warning of sudden reversal of fortunes - success itself creates the conditions for decline.]
Nine in the fifth place means:
The eastern neighbor slaughters an ox
But it is not equal
To the western neighbor's
Simple summer offering [Yuè jì - modest offering].
Truly, one receives the blessing.
[Quality of intent matters more than quantity of expenditure]
[Extravagance and show do not impress Heaven. Modest, heartfelt effort does.]
Six at the top means:
He wets his head [in the water]. Danger.
[Danger of post-success "drowning" - do not dwell on the crossing experience, move on.]
64. 未濟 Wèi Jì / Not Yet Across (Before Completion, Not Yet Completed)
THE JUDGMENT
NOT YET ACROSS. Success.
[But if] the little fox, having nearly completed the crossing,
Gets its tail soaked [in the river water],
Nothing is advantageous.
[The last ten percent is often harder than the first ninety percent. Do not assume success before success actually exists]
[The natural process remains unfinished. Yet precisely because things are unfinished, movement and development remain possible.]
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
Gets its tail soaked/wet [in the river water].
Humiliation [regrettable embarrassment].
[Early, avoidable mistake (a beginner's mistake), that brings distress or humiliation. Not catastrophic.]
Nine in the second place means:
He drags [draws back/pulls/restrains/breaks] his wheels.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
[Even though you feel the goal is close, this is the moment to slow down and hold firm. Success comes through restraint.]
Six in the third place means:
Not yet across,
To advance brings misfortune.
[Yet] it is advantageous to cross the great river.
[Reckless advance fail; full, properly prepared commitment, timed correctly, succeeds.]
Nine in the fourth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Regret vanishes.
Using thunderous/vigorous force,
He attacks the Gui Fang region [the Devil’s Country].
[After] three years,
He is rewarded by the great kingdom.
[This is the stage where long, disciplined effort against serious obstacles finally pays off.]
Six in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
No regret.
The splendor of the noble person.
[The noble person's radiance]
Possessing sincerity
Brings good fortune.
[Lead by quiet example and unwavering truthfulness. People will naturally follow and support you.]
Nine at the top means:
Possessing sincerity in drinking wine.
No blame.
If he gets his head soaked [i.e. overindulges],
He loses that sincerity
[And thus] this correctness.
[The moment of completion is the most dangerous. Celebrate moderately.]
