Book of Changes – Translated by Richard Wilhelm
above Ch’ien The Creative, Heaven
below Sun The Gentle, Wind
The Judgement
Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful.
One should not marry such a maiden.
The Image
Under heaven, wind:
The image of Coming to Meet.
Thus does the prince act when disseminating his commands
And proclaiming them to the four quarters of heaven.
The Lines
nSix at the beginning means:
It must be checked with a brake of bronze.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
If one lets it take its course, one experiences misfortune.
Even a lean pig has it in him to rage around.
lNine in the second place means:
There is a fish in the tank. No blame.
Does not further guests.
Nine in the third place means:
There is no skin on his thighs,
And walking comes hard.
If one is mindful of the danger,
No great mistake is made.
Nine in the fourth place means:
No fish in the tank.
This leads to misfortune.
lNine in the fifth place means:
A melon covered with willow leaves.
Hidden lines.
Then it drops down to one from heaven.
Nine at the top means:
He comes to meet with his horns.
Humiliation. No blame.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
45. Ts’ui / Gathering Together [Massing]
above Tui The Joyous, Lake
below K’un The Receptive, Earth
The Judgement
Gathering Together. Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It furthers one to see the great man.
This brings success. Perseverance furthers.
To bring great offerings creates good fortune.
It furthers one to undertake something.
The Image
Over the earth, the lake:
The image of Gathering Together.
Thus the superior man renews his weapons
In order to meet the unforseen.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
If you are sincere, but not to the end,
There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together.
If you call out,
Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again.
Regret not. Going is without blame.
Six in the second place means:
Letting oneself be drawn
Brings good fortune and remains blameless.
If one is sincere,
It furthers one to bring even a small offering.
Six in the third place means:
Gathering together amid sighs.
Nothing that would further.
Going is without blame.
Slight humiliation.
lNine in the fourth place means:
Great good fortune. No blame.
lNine in the fifth place means:
If in gathering together one has position,
This brings no blame.
If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work,
Sublime and enduring perseverance is needed.
Then remorse disappears.
Six at the top means:
Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears.
No blame.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above K’un The Receptive, Earth
below Sun The Gentle, Wind
The Judgement
Pushing Upward has supreme success.
One must see the great man.
Fear not.
Departure toward 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.
The Lines
nSix at the beginning means:
Pushing upward that meets with confidence
Brings great good fortune.
Nine in the second place means:
If one is sincere,
It furthers one to bring even a small offering.
No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
One pushes upward into an empty city.
Six in the fourth place means:
The king offers him Mount Ch’i.
Good fortune. No blame.
lSix in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
One pushes upward by steps.
Six at the top means:
Pushing upward in darkness.
It furthers one
To be unremittingly persevering.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
47. K’un / Oppression (Exhaustion)
above Tui The Joyous, Lake
below K’an The Abysmal, Water
The Judgement
Oppression. Success. Perseverance.
The great man brings about good fortune.
No blame.
When one has something to say,
It is not believed.
The Image
There is no water in the lake:
The image of Exhaustion.
Thus the superior man stakes his life
On following his will.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
One sits oppressed under a bare tree
And strays into a gloomy valley.
For three years one sees nothing.
lNine in the second place means:
One is oppressed while at meat and drink.
The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming.
It furthers one to offer sacrifice.
To set forth brings misfortune.
No blame.
Six in the third place means:
A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone,
And leans on thorns and thistles.
He enters his house and does not see his wife.
Misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage.
Humiliation, but the end is reached.
lNine in the fifth place means:
His nose and feet are cut off.
Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands.
Joy comes softly.
It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
Six at the top means:
He is oppressed by creeping vines.
He moves uncertainly and says, “Movement brings remorse.”
If one feels remorse over this and makes a start,
Good fortune comes.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
48. Ching / The Well
above K’an The Abysmal, Water
below Sun The Gentle, Wind
The Judgement
The Well. The town may be changed,
But the well cannot be changed.
It neither decreases nor increases.
They come and go and draw from the well.
If one gets down almost to the water
And the rope does not go all the way,
Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.
The Image
Water over wood: the image of the Well.
Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work,
And exhorts them to help one another.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
One does not drink the mud of the well.
No animals come to an old well.
Nine in the second place means:
At the wellhole one shoots fishes.
The jug is broken and leaks.
Nine in the third place means:
The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it.
This is my heart’s sorrow,
For one might draw from it.
If the king were clear-minded,
Good fortune might be enjoyed in common.
Six in the fourth place means:
The well is being lined. No blame.
lNine in the fifth place means:
In the well there is a clear, cold spring
From which one can drink.
Six at the top means:
One draws from the well
Without hindrance.
It is dependable.
Supreme good fortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above Tui The Joyous, Lake
below Li The Clinging, Flame
The Judgement
Revolution. On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success,
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears.
The Image
Fire in the lake: the image of Revolution.
Thus the superior man
Sets the calendar in order
And makes the seasons clear.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Wrapped in the hide of a yellow cow.
Six in the second place means:
When one’s own day comes, one may create revolution.
Starting brings good fortune. No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
Starting brings misfortune.
Perseverance brings danger.
When talk of revolution has gone the rounds three times,
One may commit himself,
And men will believe him.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Remorse disappears. Men believe him.
Changing the form of government brings good fortune.
lNine in the fifth place means:
The great man changes like a tiger.
Even before he questions the oracle
He is believed.
Six at the top means:
The superior man changes like a panther.
The inferior man molts in the face.
Starting brings misfortune.
To remain persevering brings good fortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above Li The Clinging, Flame
below Sun The Gentle, Wind
The Judgement
The Caldron. Supreme good fortune.
Success.
The Image
Fire over wood:
The image of the Caldron.
Thus the superior man consolidates his fate
By making his position correct.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
A Ting with legs upturned.
Furthers removal of stagnating stuff.
One takes a concubine for the sake of her son.
No blame.
Nine in the second place means:
There is food in the Ting.
My comrades are envious,
But they cannot harm me.
Good fortune.
Nine in the third place means:
The handle of the Ting is altered.
One is impeded in his way of life.
The fat of the pheasant is not eaten.
Once rain falls, remorse is spent.
Good fortune comes in the end.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The legs of the Ting are broken.
The prince’s meal is spilled
And his person is soiled.
Misfortune.
lSix in the fifth place means:
The Ting has yellow handles, golden carrying rings.
Perseverance furthers.
lNine at the top means:
The Ting has rings of jade.
Great good fortune.
Nothing that would not act to further.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
51. Chen / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
above Chen The Arousing, Thunder
below Chen The Arousing, Thunder
The Judgement
Shock brings success.
Shock comes-oh, oh!
Laughing words-ha, ha!
The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.
The Image
Thunder repeated: the image of Shock.
Thus in fear and trembling
The superior man sets his life in order
And examines himself.
The Lines
lNine at the beginning means:
Shock comes-oh, oh!
Then follow laughing words-ha, ha!
Good fortune.
Six in the second place means:
Shock comes bringing danger.
A hundred thousand times
You lose your treasures
And must climb the nine hills.
Do not go in pursuit of them.
After seven days you will get them back.
Six in the third place means:
Shock comes and makes one distraught.
If shock spurs to action
One remains free of misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Shock is mired.
Six in the fifth place means:
Shock goes hither and thither.
Danger.
However, nothing at all is lost.
Yet there are things to be done.
Six at the top means:
Shock brings ruin and terrified gazing around.
Going ahead brings misfortune.
If it has not yet touched one’s own body
But has reached one’s neighbor first,
There is no blame.
One’s comrades have something to talk about.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
52. Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain
above Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
below Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
The Judgement
Keeping Still. Keeping his back still
So that he no longer feels his body.
He goes into his courtyard
And does not see his people.
No blame.
The Image
Mountains standing close together:
The image of Keeping Still.
Thus the superior man
Does not permit his thoughts
To go beyond his situation.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
Keeping his toes still.
No blame.
Continued perseverance furthers.
Six in the second place means:
Keeping his calves still.
He cannot rescue him whom he follows.
His heart is not glad.
Nine in the third place means:
Keeping his hips still.
Making his sacrum stiff.
Dangerous. The heart suffocates.
Six in the fourth place means:
Keeping his trunk still.
No blame.
Six in the fifth place means:
Keeping his jaws still.
The words have order.
Remorse disappears.
lNine at the top means:
Noblehearted keeping still.
Good fortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
53. Chien / Development (Gradual Progress)
above Sun The Gentle, Wind
below Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
The Judgement
Development. The maiden
Is given in marriage.
Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers.
The Image
On the mountain, a tree:
The image of Development.
Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue,
In order to improve the mores.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the shore.
The young son is in danger.
There is talk. No blame.
lSix in the second place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the cliff.
Eating and drinking in peace and concord.
Good fortune.
Nine in the third place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the plateau.
The man goes forth and does not return.
The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth.
Misfortune.
It furthers one to fight off robbers.
Six in the fourth place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the tree.
Perhaps it will find a flat branch. No blame.
lNine in the fifth place means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the summit.
For three years the woman has no child.
In the end nothing can hinder her.
Good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
The wild goose gradually draws near the cloud heights.
Its feathers can be used for the sacred dance.Good fortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
54. Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden
above Chen The Arousing, Thunder
below Tui The Joyous, Lake
The Judgement
The Marrying Maiden.
Undertakings bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further.
The Image
Thunder over the lake:
The image of the Marrying Maiden.
Thus the superior man
Understands the transitory
In the light of the eternity of the end.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
The marrying maiden as a concubine.
A lame man who is able to tread.
Undertakings bring good fortune.
Nine in the second place means:
A one-eyed man who is able to see.
The perseverance of a solitary man furthers.
nSix in the third place means:
The marrying maiden as a slave.
She marries as a concubine.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The marrying maiden draws out the allotted time.
A late marriage comes in due course.
lSix in the fifth place means:
The sovereign I gave his daughter in marriage.
The embroidered garments of the princess
Were not as gorgeous
As those of the servingmaid.
The moon that is nearly full
Brings good fortune.
nSix at the top means:
The woman holds the basket, but there are no fruits in it.
The man stabs the sheep, but no blood flows.
Nothing that acts to further.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
55. Fêng / Abundance [Fullness]
above Chen The Arousing, Thunder
below Li The Clinging, Flame
The Judgement
Abundance has success.
The king attains abundance.
Be not sad.
Be like the sun at midday.
The Image
Both thunder and lightning come:
The image of Abundance.
Thus the superior man decides lawsuits
And carries out punishments.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
When a man meets his destined ruler,
They can be together ten days,
And it is not a mistake.
Going meets with recognition.
Six in the second place means:
The curtain is of such fullness
That the polestars can be seen at noon.
Through going one meets with mistrust and hate.
If one rouses him through truth,
Good fortune comes.
Nine in the third place means:
The underbrush is of such abundance
That the small stars can be seen at noon.
He breaks his right arm. No blame.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The curtain is of such fullness
That the polestars can be seen at noon.
He meets his ruler, who is of like kind.
Good fortune.
lSix in the fifth place means:
Lines are coming,
Blessing and fame draw near.
Good fortune.
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.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above Li The Clinging, Flame
below Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
The Judgement
The Wanderer. Success through smallness.
Perseverance brings good fortune
To the wanderer.
The Image
Fire on the mountain:
The image of the Wanderer.
Thus the superior man
Is clear-minded and cautious
In imposing penalties,
And protracts no lawsuits.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
If the wanderer busies himself with trivial things,
He draws down misfortune upon himself.
Six in the second place means:
The wanderer comes to an inn.
He has his property with him.
He wins the steadfastness of a young servant.
Nine in the third place means:
The wanderer’s inn burns down.
He loses the steadfastness of his young servant.
Danger.
Nine in the fourth place means:
The wanderer rests in a shelter.
He obtains his property and an ax.
My heart is not glad.
lSix in the fifth place means:
He shoots a pheasant.
It drops with the first arrow.
In the end this brings both praise and office.
Nine at the top means:
The bird’s nest burns up.
The wanderer laughs at first,
Then must needs lament and weep.
Through carelessness he loses his cow.
Misfortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
57. Sun / The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)
above Sun The Gentle, Wind
below Sun The Gentle, Wind
The Judgement
The Gentle. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
The Image
Winds following one upon the other:
The image of the Gently Penetrating.
Thus the superior man
Spreads his commands abroad
And carries out his undertakings.
The Lines
nSix at the beginning means:
In advancing and in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.
Nine in the second place means:
Penetration under the bed.
Priests and magicians are used in great number.
Good fortune. No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
nSix in the fourth place means:
Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.
lNine in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse vanishes.
Nothing that does not further.
No beginning, but an end.
Before the change, three days.
After the change, three days.
Good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
Penetration under the bed.
He loses his property and his ax.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above Tui The Joyous, Lake
below Tui The Joyous, Lake
The Judgement
The Joyous. Success.
Perseverance is favorable.
The Image
Lakes resting one on the other:
The image of the Joyous.
Thus the superior man joins with his friends
For discussion and practice.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Contented joyousness. Good fortune.
lNine in the second place means:
Sincere joyousness. Good fortune.
Remorse disappears.
nSix in the third place means:
Coming joyousness. Misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Joyousness that is weighed is not at peace.
After ridding himself of mistakes a man has joy.
lNine in the fifth place means:
Sincerity toward disintegrating influences is dangerous.
nSix at the top means:
Seductive joyousness.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
59. Huan / Dispersion [Dissolution]
above Sun The Gentle, Wind
below K’an The Abysmal, Water
The Judgement
Dispersion. Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers.
The Image
The wind drives over the water:
The image of Dispersion.
Thus the kings of old sacrificed to the Lord
And built temples.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
He brings help with the strength of a horse.
Good fortune.
nNine in the second place means:
At the dissolution
He hurries to that which supports him.
Remorse disappears.
Six in the third place means:
He dissolves his self. No remorse.
nSix in the fourth place means:
He dissolves his bond with his group.
Supreme good fortune.
Dispersion leads in turn to accumulation.
This is something that ordinary men do not think of.
lNine in the fifth place means:
His loud cries are as dissolving as sweat.
Dissolution. A king abides without blame.
Nine at the top means:
He dissolves his blood.
Departing, keeping at a distance, going out,
Is without blame.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above K’an The Abysmal, Water
below Tui The Joyous, Lake
The Judgement
Limitation. Success.
Galling limitation must not be persevered in.
The Image
Water over lake: the image of Limitation.
Thus the superior man
Creates number and measure,
And examines the nature of virtue and correct conduct.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Not going out of the door and the courtyard
Is without blame.
Nine in the second place means:
Not going out of the gate and the courtyard
Brings misfortune.
Six in the third place means:
He who knows no limitation
Will have cause to lament.
No blame.
Six in the fourth place means:
Contented limitation. Success.
lNine in the fifth place means:
Sweet limitation brings good fortune.
Going brings esteem.
Six at the top means:
Galling limitation.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
Remorse disappears.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
above Sun The Gentle, Wind
below Tui The Joyous, Lake
The Judgement
Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes.
Good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Perseverance furthers.
The Image
Wind over lake: the image of Inner Truth.
Thus the superior man discusses criminal cases
In order to delay executions.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
Being prepared brings good fortune.
If there are secret designs, it is disquieting.
Nine in the second place means:
A crane calling in the shade.
Its young answers it.
I have a good goblet.
I will share it with you.
nSix in the third place means:
He finds a comrade.
Now he beats the drum, now he stops.
Now he sobs, now he sings.
nSix in the fourth place means:
The moon nearly at the full.
The team horse goes astray.
No blame.
lNine in the fifth place means:
He possesses truth, which links together.
No blame.
Nine at the top means:
Cockcrow penetrating to heaven.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
62. Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small
above Chen The Arousing, Thunder
below Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
The Judgement
Preponderance of the Small. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.
The Image
Thunder on the mountain:
The image of Preponderance of the Small.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
The bird meets with misfortune through flying.
lSix in the second place means:
She passes by her ancestor
And meets her ancestress.
He does not reach his prince
And meets the official.
No blame.
Nine in the third place means:
If one is not extremely careful,
Somebody may come up from behind and strike him.
Misfortune.
Nine in the fourth place means:
No blame. He meets him without passing by.
Going brings danger. One must be on guard.
Do not act. Be constantly persevering.
lSix in the fifth place means:
Dense clouds,
No rain from our western territory.
The prince shoots and hits him who is in the cave.
Six at the top means:
He passes him by, not meeting him.
The flying bird leaves him.
Misfortune.
This means bad luck and injury.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
63. Chi Chi / After Completion
above K’an The Abysmal, Water
below Li The Clinging, Flame
The Judgement
After Completion. Success in small matters.
Perseverance furthers.
At the beginning good fortune,
At the end disorder.
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.
The Lines
Nine at the beginning means:
He brakes his wheels.
He gets his tail in the water.
No blame.
lSix in the second place means:
The woman loses the curtain of her carriage.
Do not run after it;
On the seventh day you will get it.
Nine in the third place means:
The Illustrious Ancestor
Disciplines the Devil’s Country.
After three years he conquers it.
Inferior people must not be employed.
Six in the fourth place means:
The finest clothes turn to rags.
Be careful all day long.
Nine in the fifth place means:
The neighbor in the east who slaughters an ox
Does not attain as much real happiness
As the neighbor in the west
With his small offering.
Six at the top means:
He gets his head in the water. Danger
.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
64. Wei Chi / Before Completion
above Li The Clinging, Flame
below K’an The Abysmal, Water
The Judgement
Before Completion. Success.
But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing,
Gets his tail in the water,
There is nothing that would further.
The Image
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
He gets his tail in the water.
Humiliating.
Nine in the second place means:
He brakes his wheels.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Six in the third place means:
Before completion, attack brings misfortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse disappears.
Shock, thus to discipline the Devil’s Country.
For three years, great realms are awarded.
lSix in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
No remorse.
The light of the superior man is true.
Good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
There is drinking of wine
In genuine confidence. No blame.
But if one wets his head,
He loses it, in truth.
| Back to reference table of hexagrams | Back to list of hexagrams by number |
OPENING HOURS
| Week Days | 8:00 – 5:00 |
| Saturday | 9:00 – 5:00 |
| Sunday | 11:00 – 4:00 |
