Wuwei Foundation

Yi Jing

  K'an - The Abysmal (Water)

above     K'an   The Abysmal, Water
below     K'an   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.