I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
47 - K`un / Oppression (Exhaustion)
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
The lake is above, water below. The lake is empty and dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light lines; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus, everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men.
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes. It is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. If adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore, in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and use words sparingly.
When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
The lake is above, water below. The lake is empty and dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light lines; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus, everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men.
The Judgement
OPPRESSION. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed.Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes. It is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. If adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore, in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and use words sparingly.
The Image
There is no water in the lake: The image of EXHAUSTION. Thus, the superior man stakes his life On following his will.When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.
Changing
Six in the second place means:
The curtain is of such fullness that the pole stars can be seen at noon. Through going one meets with mistrust and hate. If one rouses him through truth, good fortune comes.
It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening effect of an eclipse of the sun, come between a ruler intent on great achievement and the man who could affect great undertakings. Then, instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time were to try to take energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and envy, which would prohibit all movement. The essential thing then is to hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is so strong that it exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.
The curtain is of such fullness that the pole stars can be seen at noon. Through going one meets with mistrust and hate. If one rouses him through truth, good fortune comes.
It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening effect of an eclipse of the sun, come between a ruler intent on great achievement and the man who could affect great undertakings. Then, instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time were to try to take energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and envy, which would prohibit all movement. The essential thing then is to hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is so strong that it exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The curtain is of such fullness that the pole stars can be seen at noon. He meets his ruler, who is of like kind. Good fortune.
Here the darkness is already decreasing, therefore interrelated elements come together. Here too the complement must be found–the necessary wisdom to complement joy of action. Then everything will go well. The complementary factor postulated here is the reverse of the one in the first line. In the latter, wisdom is to be complemented by energy, while here energy is complemented by wisdom.
The curtain is of such fullness that the pole stars can be seen at noon. He meets his ruler, who is of like kind. Good fortune.
Here the darkness is already decreasing, therefore interrelated elements come together. Here too the complement must be found–the necessary wisdom to complement joy of action. Then everything will go well. The complementary factor postulated here is the reverse of the one in the first line. In the latter, wisdom is to be complemented by energy, while here energy is complemented by wisdom.
Six in the fifth place means:
Lines are coming, blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.
The ruler is modest and therefore open to the counsel of able men. Thus, he is surrounded by men who suggest to him the lines of action. This brings blessing, fame, and good fortune to him and all the people.
Lines are coming, blessing and fame draw near. Good fortune.
The ruler is modest and therefore open to the counsel of able men. Thus, he is surrounded by men who suggest to him the lines of action. This brings blessing, fame, and good fortune to him and all the people.
Six at the top means:
His house is in a state of abundance. He screens off his family, he peers through the gate, and no longer perceives anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.
This describes a man who because of his arrogance and obstinacy attains the opposite of what he strives for. He seeks abundance and splendor for his dwelling. He wishes at all odds to be master in his house, which so alienates his family that in the end he finds himself completely isolated.
His house is in a state of abundance. He screens off his family, he peers through the gate, and no longer perceives anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.
This describes a man who because of his arrogance and obstinacy attains the opposite of what he strives for. He seeks abundance and splendor for his dwelling. He wishes at all odds to be master in his house, which so alienates his family that in the end he finds himself completely isolated.
Transformed
55 - Fêng / Abundance (Fullness)
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Chên is movement, Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without. This produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.
It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore, a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. Such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down. Here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: LI THE CLINGING, FIRE
Chên is movement, Li is flame, whose attribute is clarity. Clarity within, movement without. This produces greatness and abundance. The hexagram pictures a period of advanced civilization. However, the fact that development has reached a peak suggests that this extraordinary condition of abundance cannot be maintained permanently.
The Judgement
ABUNDANCE has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore, a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. Such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
The Image
Both thunder and lightning come: The image of ABUNDANCE. Thus, the superior man decides lawsuits and carries out punishments.This hexagram has a certain connection with Shih Ho, BITING THROUGH (21), in which thunder and lightning similarly appear together, but in the reverse order. In BITING THROUGH, laws are laid down. Here they are applied and enforced. Clarity [Li] within makes it possible to investigate the facts exactly, and shock [Chên] without ensures a strict and precise carrying out of punishments.