I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
63 - Chi Chi / After Completion
Above: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
This hexagram is the evolution of T`ai PEACE (11). The transition from confusion to order is completed, and everything is in its proper place even in particulars. The strong lines are in the strong places, the weak lines in the weak places. This is a very favorable outlook, yet it gives reason for thought. For it is just when perfect equilibrium has been reached that any movement may cause order to revert to disorder. The one strong line that has moved to the top, thus effecting complete order in details, is followed by the other lines. Each moving according to its nature, and thus suddenly there arises again the hexagram P`i, STANDSTILL (12). Hence the present hexagram indicates the conditions of a time of climax, which necessitate the utmost caution.
The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematized, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.
When water in a kettle hangs over fire, the two elements stand in relation and thus generate energy as in the production of steam. The resulting tension demands caution. If the water boils over, the fire is extinguished and its energy is lost. If the heat is too great, the water evaporates into the air. These elements here brought into relation and thus generating energy are by nature hostile to each other. Only the most extreme caution can prevent damage. In life too, there are junctures when all forces are in balance and work in harmony, so that everything seems to be in the best of order. In such times only the sage recognizes the moments that bode danger and knows how to banish it by means of timely precautions.
Above: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
This hexagram is the evolution of T`ai PEACE (11). The transition from confusion to order is completed, and everything is in its proper place even in particulars. The strong lines are in the strong places, the weak lines in the weak places. This is a very favorable outlook, yet it gives reason for thought. For it is just when perfect equilibrium has been reached that any movement may cause order to revert to disorder. The one strong line that has moved to the top, thus effecting complete order in details, is followed by the other lines. Each moving according to its nature, and thus suddenly there arises again the hexagram P`i, STANDSTILL (12). Hence the present hexagram indicates the conditions of a time of climax, which necessitate the utmost caution.
The Judgement
AFTER COMPLETION. Success in small matters. Perseverance furthers. At the beginning good fortune, At the end disorder.The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematized, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.
The Image
Water over fire: the image of the condition In AFTER COMPLETION. Thus, the superior man takes thought of misfortune and arms himself against it in advance.When water in a kettle hangs over fire, the two elements stand in relation and thus generate energy as in the production of steam. The resulting tension demands caution. If the water boils over, the fire is extinguished and its energy is lost. If the heat is too great, the water evaporates into the air. These elements here brought into relation and thus generating energy are by nature hostile to each other. Only the most extreme caution can prevent damage. In life too, there are junctures when all forces are in balance and work in harmony, so that everything seems to be in the best of order. In such times only the sage recognizes the moments that bode danger and knows how to banish it by means of timely precautions.
Changing
Nine in the second place means:
If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.
Here a strong man is presupposed. It is true that he does not fit in with his environment, inasmuch as he is too brusque and pays too little attention to form. But as he is upright in character, he meets with response, and his lack of outward form does no harm. Here uprightness is the outcome of sound qualities of character, whereas in the corresponding line of the preceding hexagram it is the result of innate humility.
If one is sincere, it furthers one to bring even a small offering. No blame.
Here a strong man is presupposed. It is true that he does not fit in with his environment, inasmuch as he is too brusque and pays too little attention to form. But as he is upright in character, he meets with response, and his lack of outward form does no harm. Here uprightness is the outcome of sound qualities of character, whereas in the corresponding line of the preceding hexagram it is the result of innate humility.
Six in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.
When a man is advancing farther and farther, it is important for him not to become intoxicated by success. Precisely when he experiences great success it is necessary to remain sober and not to try to skip any stages. He must go on slowly, step by step, as though hesitant. Only such calm, steady progress, overleaping nothing, leads to the goal.
Perseverance brings good fortune. One pushes upward by steps.
When a man is advancing farther and farther, it is important for him not to become intoxicated by success. Precisely when he experiences great success it is necessary to remain sober and not to try to skip any stages. He must go on slowly, step by step, as though hesitant. Only such calm, steady progress, overleaping nothing, leads to the goal.
Six at the top means:
Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
He who pushes upward blindly deludes himself. He knows only advance, not retreat, and this means exhaustion. In such a case it is important to be constantly mindful that one must be conscientious and consistent and must remain so. Only thus does one become free of blind impulse, which is always harmful.
Pushing upward in darkness. It furthers one to be unremittingly persevering.
He who pushes upward blindly deludes himself. He knows only advance, not retreat, and this means exhaustion. In such a case it is important to be constantly mindful that one must be conscientious and consistent and must remain so. Only thus does one become free of blind impulse, which is always harmful.
Transformed
46 - Shêng / Pushing Upward
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The Judgement
PUSHING UPWARD has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD. Thus, the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.