First Book of I Ching
Qian - The Creative
1. Qian - The Creative
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
The Creative works sublime success,
Furthering through perseverance.
The Image
The movement of heaven is full of power.
Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Hidden dragon. Do not act.
Nine in the second place means:
Dragon appearing in the field.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Nine in the third place means:
All day long the superior man is creatively active.
At nightfall his mind is still beset with cares.
Danger. No blame.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Wavering flight over the depths.
No blame.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Flying dragon in the heavens.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Nine at the top means:
Arrogant dragon will have cause to repent.
When all the lines are nines, it means:
There appears a flight of dragons without heads.
Good fortune.
Kun - The Receptive
2. Kun - The Receptive
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
The Receptive brings about sublime success,
Furthering through the perseverance of a mare.
If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead,
He goes astray;
But if he follows, he finds guidance.
It is favorable to find friends in the west and south,
To forego friends in the east and north.
Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
The Image
The earth's condition is receptive devotion.
Thus the superior man who has breadth of character
Carries the outer world.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
When there is hoarfrost underfoot,
Solid ice is not far off.
() Six in the second place means:
Straight, square, great.
Without purpose,
Yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Six in the third place means:
Hidden lines.
One is able to remain persevering.
If by chance you are in the service of a king,
Seek not works, but bring to completion.
Six in the fourth place means:
A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
Six in the fifth place means:
A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune.
Six at the top means:
Dragons fight in the meadow.
Their blood is black and yellow.
When all the lines are sixes, it means:
Lasting perseverance furthers.
Zhun -
Difficulty at the Beginning
3. Zhun - Difficulty at the Beginning
-- --
----- above Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Nothing should be undertaken.
It furthers one to appoint helpers.
The Image
Clouds and thunder:
The image of Difficulty at the Beginning.
Thus the superior man
Brings order out of confusion.
The Lines
() Nine at the beginning means:
Hesitation and hindrance.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
It furthers one to appoint helpers.
Six in the second place means:
Difficulties pile up.
Horse and wagon part.
He is not a robber;
He wants to woo when the time comes.
The maiden is chaste,
She does not pledge herself.
Ten years-then she pledges herself.
Six in the third place means:
Whoever hunts deer without the forester
Only loses his way in the forest.
The superior man understands the signs of the time
And prefers to desist.
To go on brings humiliation.
Six in the fourth place means:
Horse and wagon part.
Strive for union.
To go brings good fortune.
Everything acts to further.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Difficulties in blessing.
A little perseverance brings good fortune.
Great perseverance brings misfortune.
Six at the top means:
Horse and wagon part.
Bloody tears flow.
Meng - Youthful Folly
4. Meng - Youthful Folly
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-- --
----- below Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
The Judgement
Youthful Folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool;
The young fool seeks me.
At the first oracle I inform him.
If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
If he importunes, I give him no information.
Perseverance furthers.
The Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain:
The image of Youth.
Thus the superior man fosters his character
By thoroughness in all that he does.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
To make a fool develop
It furthers one to apply discipline.
The fetters should be removed.
To go on in this way brings humiliation.
() Nine in the second place means:
To bear with fools in kindliness brings good fortune.
To know how to take women
Brings good fortune.
The son is capable of taking charge of the household.
Six in the third place means:
Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze,
Loses possession of herself.
Nothing furthers.
Six in the fourth place means:
Entangled folly brings humiliation.
() Six in the fifth place means:
Childlike folly brings good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
In punishing folly
It does not further one
To commit transgressions.
The only thing that furthers
Is to prevent transgressions.
Xu - Waiting
(Nourishment)
5. Xu - Waiting (Nourishment)
-- --
----- above Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
Waiting. If you are sincere,
You have light and success.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
The Image
Clouds rise up to heaven:
The image of Waiting.
Thus the superior man eats and drinks,
Is joyous and of good cheer.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Waiting in the meadow.
It furthers one to abide in what endures.
No blame.
Nine in the second place means:
Waiting on the sand.
There is some gossip.
The end brings good fortune.
Nine in the third place means:
Waiting in the mud
Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
Six in the fourth place means:
Waiting in blood.
Get out of the pit.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Waiting at meat and drink.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Six at the top means:
One falls into the pit.
Three uninvited guests arrive.
Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Song - Conflict
6. Song - Conflict
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-- --
----- below Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
The Judgement
Conflict. You are sincere
And are being obstructed.
A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune.
Going through to the end brings misfortune.
It furthers one to see the great man.
It does not further one to cross the great water.
The Image
Heaven and water go their opposite ways:
The image of Conflict.
Thus in all his transactions the superior man
Carefully considers the beginning.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
If one does not perpetuate the affair,
There is a little gossip.
In the end, good fortune comes.
Nine in the second place means:
One cannot engage in conflict;
One returns home, gives way.
The people of his town,
Three hundred households,
Remain free of guilt.
Six in the third place means:
To nourish oneself on ancient virtue induces perseverance.
Danger. In the end, good fortune comes.
If by chance you are in the service of a king,
Seek not works.
Nine in the fourth place means:
One cannot engage in conflict.
One turns back and submits to fate,
Changes one's attitude,
And finds peace in perseverance.
Good fortune.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
To contend before him
Brings supreme good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
Even if by chance a leather belt is bestowed on one,
By the end of a morning
It will have been snatched away three times.
Shi - The Army
7. Shi - The Army
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-- --
----- below Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
The Judgement
The Army. The army needs perseverance
And a strong man.
Good fortune without blame.
The Image
In the middle of the earth is water:
The image of the Army.
Thus the superior man increases his masses
By generosity toward the people.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
An army must set forth in proper order.
If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.
() Nine in the second place means:
In the midst of the army.
Good fortune. No blame.
The king bestows a triple decoration.
Six in the third place means:
Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon.
Misfortune.
Six in the fourth place means:
The army retreats. No blame.
() Six in the fifth place means:
There is game in the field.
It furthers one to catch it.
Without blame.
Let the eldest lead the army.
The younger transports corpses;
Then perseverance brings misfortune.
Six at the top means:
The great prince issues commands,
Founds states, vests families with fiefs.
Inferior people should not be employed.
Bi - Holding
Together [Union]
8. Bi - Holding Together [Union]
-- --
----- above Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
Holding Together brings good fortune.
Inquire of the oracle once again
Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
Then there is no blame.
Those who are uncertain gradually join.
Whoever comes too late
Meets with misfortune.
The Image
On the earth is water:
The image of Holding Together.
Thus the kings of antiquity
Bestowed the different states as fiefs
And cultivated friendly relations
With the feudal lords.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Hold to him in truth and loyalty;
This is without blame.
Truth, like a full earthen bowl:
Thus in the end
Good fortune comes from without.
Six in the second place means:
Hold to him inwardly.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Six in the third place means:
You hold together with the wrong people.
Six in the fourth place means:
Hold to him outwardly also.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Manifestation of holding together.
In the hunt the king uses beaters on three sides only
And foregoes game that runs off in front.
The citizens need no warning.
Good fortune.
Six at the top means:
He finds no head for holding together.
Misfortune.
Xiaochu - The Taming Power of the Small
9. Xiaochu - The Taming Power of the Small
-----
----- above Xun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
The Taming Power of the Small
Has success.
Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
The Image
The wind drives across heaven:
The image of the Taming Power of the Small.
Thus the superior man
Refines the outward aspect of his nature.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Return to the way.
How could there be blame in this?
Good fortune.
Nine in the second place means:
He allows himself to be drawn into returning.
Good fortune.
Nine in the third place means:
The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels.
Man and wife roll their eyes.
[] Six in the fourth place means:
If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way.
No blame.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
If you are sincere and loyally attached,
You are rich in your neighbor.
Nine at the top means:
The rain comes, there is rest.
This is due to the lasting effect of character.
Perseverance brings the woman into danger.
The moon is nearly full.
If the superior man persists,
Misfortune comes.
Lu - Treading
[Conduct]
10. Lu - Treading [Conduct]
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-- --
----- below Dui The Joyous, Lake
-----
The Judgement
Treading. Treading upon the tail of the tiger.
It does not bite the man. Success.
The Image
Heaven above, the lake below:
The image of Treading.
Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low,
And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Simple conduct. Progress without blame.
Nine in the second place means:
Treading a smooth, level course.
The perseverance of a dark man
Brings good fortune.
[] Six in the third place means:
A one-eyed man is able to see,
A lame man is able to tread.
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
The tiger bites the man.
Misfortune.
Thus does a warrior act on behalf of his great prince.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
Caution and circumspection
Lead ultimately to good fortune.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Resolute conduct.
Perseverance with awareness of danger.
Nine at the top means:
Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs.
When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.
Tai - Peace
11. Tai - Peace
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
Peace. The small departs,
The great approaches.
Good fortune. Success.
The Image
Heaven and earth unite: the image of Peace.
Thus the ruler
Divides and completes the course of heaven and earth;
He furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth,
And so aids the people.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it.
Each according to his kind.
Undertakings bring good fortune.
() Nine in the second place means:
Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness,
Fording the river with resolution,
Not neglecting what is distant,
Not regarding one's companions:
Thus one may manage to walk in the middle.
Nine in the third place means:
No plain not followed by a slope.
No going not followed by a return.
He who remains persevering in danger
Is without blame.
Do not complain about this truth;
Enjoy the good fortune you still possess.
Six in the fourth place means:
He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth,
Together with his neighbor,
Guileless and sincere.
() Six in the fifth place means:
The sovereign I
Gives his daughter in marriage.
This brings blessing
And supreme good fortune.
Six at the top means:
The wall falls back into the moat.
Use no army now.
Make your commands known within your own town.
Perseverance brings humiliation.
Pi - Standstill
[Stagnation]
12. Pi - Standstill [Stagnation]
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
Standstill. Evil people do not further
The perseverance of the superior man.
The great departs; the small approaches.
The Image
Heaven and earth do not unite:
The image of Standstill.
Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth
In order to escape the difficulties.
He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it.
Each according to his kind.
Perseverance brings good fortune and success.
[] Six in the second place means:
They bear and endure;
This means good fortune for inferior people.
The standstill serves to help the great man to attain success.
Six in the third place means:
They bear shame.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He who acts at the command of the highest
Remains without blame.
Those of like mind partake of the blessing.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Standstill is giving way.
Good fortune for the great man.
"What if it should fail, what if it should fail?"
In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.
Nine at the top means:
The standstill comes to an end.
First standstill, then good fortune.
Tongren -
Fellowship with Men
13. Tongren - Fellowship with Men
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-----
-- -- below Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
The Judgement
Fellowship with Men in the open.
Success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
The perseverance of the superior man furthers.
The Image
Heaven together with fire:
The image of Fellowship with Men.
Thus the superior man organizes the clans
And makes distinctions between things.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Fellowship with men at the gate.
No blame.
() Six in the second place means:
Fellowship with men in the clan.
Humiliation.
Nine in the third place means:
He hides weapons in the thicket;
He climbs the high hill in front of it.
For three years he does not rise up.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He climbs up on his wall; he cannot attack.
Good fortune.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Men bound in fellowship first weep and lament,
But afterward they laugh.
After great struggles they succeed in meeting.
Nine at the top means:
Fellowship with men in the meadow.
No remorse.
Da'you -
Possession in Great Measure
14. Da'you - Possession in Great Measure
-----
-- -- above Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
Possession in Great Measure.
Supreme success.
The Image
Fire in heaven above:
The image of Possession in Great Measure.
Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good,
And thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
No relationship with what is harmful;
There is no blame in this.
If one remains conscious of difficulty,
One remains without blame.
Nine in the second place means:
A big wagon for loading.
One may undertake something.
No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven.
A petty man cannot do this.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He makes a difference
Between himself and his neighbor.
No blame.
() Six in the fifth place means:
He whose truth is accessible, yet dignified,
Has good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
He is blessed by heaven.
Good fortune.
Nothing that does not further.
Qian - Modesty
15. Qian - Modesty
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-----
-- -- below Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
The Judgement
Modesty creates success.
The superior man carries things through.
The Image
Within the earth, a mountain:
The image of Modesty.
Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much,
And augments that which is too little.
He weighs things and makes them equal.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
A superior man modest about his modesty
May cross the great water.
Good fortune.
Six in the second place means:
Modesty that comes to expression.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
() Nine in the third place means:
A superior man of modesty and merit
Carries things to conclusion.
Good fortune.
Six in the fourth place means:
Nothing that would not further modesty
In movement.
Six in the fifth place means:
No boasting of wealth before one's neighbor.
It is favorable to attack with force.
Nothing that would not further.
Six at the top means:
Modesty that comes to expression.
It is favorable to set armies marching
To chastise one's own city and one's country.
>
Yu - Enthusiasm
16. Yu - Enthusiasm
-- --
-- -- above Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers
And to set armies marching.
The Image
Thunder comes resounding out of the earth:
The image of Enthusiasm.
Thus the ancient kings made music
In order to honor merit,
And offered it with splendor
To the Supreme Deity,
Inviting their ancestors to be present.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Enthusiasm that expresses itself
Brings misfortune.
Six in the second place means:
Firm as a rock. Not a whole day.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Six in the third place means:
Enthusiasm that looks upward creates remorse.
Hesitation brings remorse.
() Nine in the fourth place means:
The source of enthusiasm.
He achieves great things.
Doubt not.
You gather friends around you
As a hair clasp gathers the hair.
Six in the fifth place means:
Persistently ill, and still does not die.
Six at the top means:
Deluded enthusiasm.
But if after completion one changes,
There is no blame.
Sui - Following
17. Sui - Following
-- --
----- above Dui The Joyous, Lake
-----
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
Following has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers. No blame.
The Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake:
The image of Following.
Thus the superior man at nightfall
Goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
The Lines
() Nine at the beginning means:
The standard is changing.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
To go out of the door in company
Produces deeds.
Six in the second place means:
If one clings to the little boy,
One loses the strong man.
Six in the third place means:
If one clings to the strong man,
One loses the little boy.
Through following one finds what one seeks.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Following creates success.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity.
How could there be blame in this?
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Six at the top means:
He meets with firm allegiance
And is still further bound.
The king introduces him
To the Western Mountain.
Gu -
Work on What Has Been Spoiled [Decay]
18. Gu - Work on What Has Been Spoiled [Decay]
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-----
----- below Xun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
The Judgement
Work on What Has Been Spoiled
Has supreme success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Before the starting point, three days.
After the starting point, three days.
The Image
The wind blows low on the mountain:
The image of Decay.
Thus the superior man stirs up the people
And strengthens their spirit.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
If there is a son,
No blame rests upon the departed father.
Danger. In the end good fortune.
Nine in the second place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother.
One must not be too persevering.
Nine in the third place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be little remorse. No great blame.
Six in the fourth place means:
Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father.
In continuing one sees humiliation.
() Six in the fifth place means:
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
One meets with praise.
Nine at the top means:
He does not serve kings and princes,
Sets himself higher goals.
Lin - Approach
19. Lin - Approach
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-- --
----- below Dui The Joyous, Lake
-----
The Judgement
Approach has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
When the eighth month comes,
There will be misfortune.
The Image
The earth above the lake:
The image of Approach.
Thus the superior man is inexhaustible
In his will to teach,
And without limits
In his tolerance and protection of the people.
The Lines
() Nine at the beginning means:
Joint approach.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
() Nine in the second place means:
Joint approach.
Good fortune.
Everything furthers.
Six in the third place means:
Comfortable approach.
Nothing that would further.
If one is induced to grieve over it,
One becomes free of blame.
Six in the fourth place means:
Complete approach.
No blame.
Six in the fifth place means:
Wise approach.
This is right for a great prince.
Good fortune.
Six at the top means:
Greathearted approach.
Good fortune. No blame.
Guan - Contemplation
(View)
20. Guan - Contemplation (View)
-----
----- above Xun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
Contemplation. The ablution has been made,
But not yet the offering.
Full of trust they look up to him.
The Image
The wind blows over the earth:
The image of Contemplation.
Thus the kings of old visited the regions of the world,
Contemplated the people,
And gave them instruction.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Boylike contemplation.
For an inferior man, no blame.
For a superior man, humiliation.
Six in the second place means:
Contemplation through the crack of the door.
Furthering for the perseverance of a woman.
Six in the third place means:
Contemplation of my life
Decides the choice
Between advance and retreat.
Six in the fourth place means:
Contemplation of the light of the kingdom.
It furthers one to exert influence as the guest of a king.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Contemplation of my life.
The superior man is without blame.
() Nine at the top means:
Contemplation of his life.
The superior man is without blame.
Shihe - Biting
Through
21. Shihe - Biting Through
-----
-- -- above Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
Biting Through has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered.
The Image
Thunder and lightning:
The image of Biting Through.
Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws
Through clearly defined penalties.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
His feet are fastened in the stocks,
So that his toes disappear.
No blame.
Six in the second place means:
Bites through tender meat,
So that his nose disappears.
No blame.
Six in the third place means:
Bites on old dried meat
And strikes on something poisonous.
Slight humiliation. No blame.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Bites on dried gristly meat.
Receives metal arrows.
It furthers one to be mindful of difficulties
And to be persevering.
Good fortune.
() Six in the fifth place means:
Bites on dried lean meat.
Receives yellow gold.
Perseveringly aware of danger.
No blame.
Nine at the top means:
His neck is fastened in the wooden cangue,
So that his ears disappear.
Misfortune.
Bi - Grace
22. Bi - Grace
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-----
-- -- below Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
The Judgement
Grace has success.
In small matters
It is favorable to undertake something.
The Image
Fire at the foot of the mountain:
The image of Grace.
Thus does the superior man proceed
When clearing up current affairs.
But he dare not decide controversial issues in this way.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walks.
() Six in the second place means:
Lends grace to the beard on his chin.
Nine in the third place means:
Graceful and moist.
Constant perseverance brings good fortune.
Six in the fourth place means:
Grace or simplicity?
A white horse comes as if on wings.
He is not a robber,
He will woo at the right time.
Six in the fifth place means:
Grace in hills and gardens.
The roll of silk is meager and small.
Humiliation, but in the end good fortune.
() Nine at the top means:
Simple grace. No blame.
Bo - Splitting Apart
23. Bo - Splitting Apart
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
The Judgement
Splitting Apart. It does not further one
To go anywhere.
The Image
The mountain rests on the earth:
The image of Splitting Apart.
Thus those above can ensure their position
Only by giving generously to those below.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
The leg of the bed is split.
Those who persevere are destroyed.
Misfortune.
Six in the second place means:
The bed is split at the edge.
Those who persevere are destroyed.
Misfortune.
Six in the third place means:
He splits with them. No blame.
Six in the fourth place means:
The bed is split up to the skin.
Misfortune.
Six in the fifth place means:
A shoal of fishes. Favor comes through the court ladies.
Everything acts to further.
() Nine at the top means:
There is a large fruit still uneaten.
The superior man receives a carriage.
The house of the inferior man is split apart.
Fu - Return (The
Turning Point)
24. Fu - Return (The Turning Point)
-- --
-- -- above Kun The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
Return. Success.
Going out and coming in without error.
Friends come without blame.
To and fro goes the way.
On the seventh day comes return.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
The Image
Thunder within the earth:
The image of the Turning Point.
Thus the kings of antiquity closed the passes
At the time of solstice.
Merchants and strangers did not go about,
And the ruler
Did not travel through the provinces.
The Lines
() Nine at the beginning means:
Return from a short distance.
No need for remorse.
Great good fortune.
Six in the second place means:
Quiet return. Good fortune.
Six in the third place means:
Repeated return. Danger. No blame.
Six in the fourth place means:
Walking in the midst of others,
One returns alone.
Six in the fifth place means:
Noblehearted return. No remorse.
Six at the top means:
Missing the return. Misfortune.
Misfortune from within and without.
If armies are set marching in this way,
One will in the end suffer a great defeat,
Disastrous for the ruler of the country.
For ten years
It will not be possible to attack again.
Wu Wang -
Innocence (The Unexpected)
25. Wu Wang - Innocence (The Unexpected)
-----
----- above Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
Innocence. Supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
If someone is not as he should be,
He has misfortune,
And it does not further him
To undertake anything.
The Image
Under heaven thunder rolls:
All things attain the natural state of innocence.
Thus the kings of old,
Rich in virtue, and in harmony with the time,
Fostered and nourished all beings.
The Lines
() Nine at the beginning means:
Innocent behavior brings good fortune.
Six in the second place means:
If one does not count on the harvest while plowing,
Nor on the use of the ground while clearing it,
It furthers one to undertake something.
Six in the third place means:
Undeserved misfortune.
The cow that was tethered by someone
Is the wanderer's gain, the citizen's loss.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He who can be persevering
Remains without blame.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
Use no medicine in an illness
Incurred through no fault of your own.
It will pass of itself.
Nine at the top means:
Innocent action brings misfortune.
Nothing furthers.
Dachu -
The Taming Power of the Great
26. Dachu - The Taming Power of the Great
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-----
----- below Qian The Creative, Heaven
-----
The Judgement
The Taming Power of the Great.
Perseverance furthers.
Not eating at home brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
The Image
Heaven within the mountain:
The image of the Taming Power of the Great.
Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity
And many deeds of the past,
In order to strengthen his character thereby.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Danger is at hand. It furthers one to desist.
Nine in the second place means:
The axletrees are taken from the wagon.
Nine in the third place means:
A good horse that follows others.
Awareness of danger,
With perseverance, furthers.
Practice chariot driving and armed defense daily.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
Six in the fourth place means:
The headboard of a young bull.
Great good fortune.
() Six in the fifth place means:
The tusk of a gelded boar.
Good fortune.
() Nine at the top means:
One attains the way of heaven. Success.
Yi -
The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
27. Yi - The Corners of the Mouth (Providing Nourishment)
-----
-- -- above Gen Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --
-- --
-- -- below Zhen The Arousing, Thunder
-----
The Judgement
The Corners of the Mouth.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Pay heed to the providing of nourishment
And to what a man seeks
To fill his own mouth with.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain, thunder:
The image of Providing Nourishment.
Thus the superior man is careful of his words
And temperate in eating and drinking.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
You let your magic tortoise go,
And look at me with the corners of your mouth drooping.
Misfortune.
Six in the second place means:
Turning to the summit for nourishment,
Deviating from the path
To seek nourishment from the hill.
Continuing to do this brings misfortune.
Six in the third place means:
Turning away from nourishment.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
Do not act thus for ten years.
Nothing serves to further.
Six in the fourth place means:
Turning to the summit
For provision of nourishment
Brings good fortune.
Spying about with sharp eyes
Like a tiger with insatiable craving.
No blame.
() Six in the fifth place means:
Turning away from the path.
To remain persevering brings good fortune.
One should not cross the great water.
() Nine at the top means:
The source of nourishment.
Awareness of danger brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Daguo -
Preponderance of the Great
28. Daguo - Preponderance of the Great
-- --
----- above Dui The Joyous, Lake
-----
-----
----- below Xun The Gentle, Wind
-- --
The Judgement
Preponderance of the Great.
The ridgepole sags to the breaking point.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
Success.
The Image
The lake rises above the trees:
The image of Preponderance of the Great.
Thus the superior man, when he stands alone,
Is unconcerned,
And if he has to renounce the world,
He is undaunted.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
To spread white rushes underneath.
No blame.
() Nine in the second place means:
A dry poplar sprouts at the root.
An older man takes a young wife.
Everything furthers.
Nine in the third place means:
The ridgepole sags to the breaking point.
Misfortune.
() Nine in the fourth place means:
The ridgepole is braced. Good fortune.
If there are ulterior motives, it is humiliating.
Nine in the fifth place means:
A withered poplar puts forth flowers.
An older woman takes a husband.
No blame. No praise.
Six at the top means:
One must go through the water.
It goes over one's head.
Misfortune. No blame.
Kan - The Abysmal
(Water)
29. Kan - The Abysmal (Water)
-- --
----- above Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
-- --
----- below Kan The Abysmal, Water
-- --
The Judgement
The Abysmal repeated.
If you are sincere, you have success in your heart,
And whatever you do succeeds.
The Image
Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal:
The image of the Abysmal repeated.
Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue
And carries on the business of teaching.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Repetition of the Abysmal.
In the abyss one falls into a pit.
Misfortune.
() Nine in the second place means:
The abyss is dangerous.
One should strive to attain small things only.
Six in the third place means:
Forward and backward, abyss on abyss.
In danger like this, pause at first and wait,
Otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss.
Do not act in this way.
Six in the fourth place means:
A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it;
Earthen vessels
Simply handed in through the window.
There is certainly no blame in this.
() Nine in the fifth place means:
The abyss is not filled to overflowing,
It is filled only to the rim.
No blame.
Six at the top means:
Bound with cords and ropes,
Shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls:
For three years one does not find the way.
Misfortune.
Li - The Clinging,
Fire
30. Li - The Clinging, Fire
-----
-- -- above Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
-----
-- -- below Li The Clinging, Flame
-----
The Judgement
The Clinging. Perseverance furthers.
It brings success.
Care of the cow brings good fortune.
The Image
That which is bright rises twice:
The image of Fire.
Thus the great man, by perpetuating this brightness,
Illumines the four quarters of the world.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
The footprints run crisscross.
If one is seriously intent, no blame.
() Six in the second place means:
Yellow light. Supreme good fortune.
Nine in the third place means:
In the light of the setting sun,
Men either beat the pot and sing
Or loudly bewail the approach of old age.
Misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Its coming is sudden;
It flames up, dies down, is thrown away.
() Six in the fifth place means:
Tears in floods, sighing and lamenting.
Good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
The king uses him to march forth and chastise.
Then it is best to kill the leaders
And take captive the followers. No blame.
End of First Book
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