Hexagram 47, Kùn (Exhaustion): Line 6 (top)

困卦上六 · 泽水困 · 中文版

上六:困于葛藟,于臲卼,曰动悔。有悔,征吉。

The line (Legge)

The sixth SIX, divided, shows its subject straitened, as if bound with creepers; or n a high and dangerous position, and saying (to himself), 'If I move, I shall repent it.' If he do repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in his going forward.

Small Image commentary

'He is straitened as if bound with creepers: (his spirit and action) are unsuitable. '(He says), "If I move, I shall repent of it." And he does repent (of former errors), which leads to good fortune:' - so he (now) goes on.

象曰:困于葛藟,未当也。动悔有悔,吉行也。

In plain words

Oppressed by creeping vines, on a high and shaky place, one says, "If I move I will regret it." But having regrets and moving on brings good fortune. The top line is at the end of oppression; when hardship reaches its limit, it is time to change. The Small Image says being caught in the vines means things were not handled properly, and moving on after regret is a fortunate course.

Applying it to your situation

If you are stuck at the worst point and afraid any move will be wrong, this line suggests this is exactly when to move. What move are you most afraid of?

Position

A broken (yin) line in the top place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is in its proper place. Its partner is line 3; both are yin, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Kùn changes into Hexagram 6 Sòng (Conflict). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·困之讼.

The hexagram

Hexagram 47 Kùn (Exhaustion). The Judgment: In (the condition denoted by) Kun there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.

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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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