 | Restraint | |
| Upper Trigram: | K'an, the Abyss, Water, Danger | |
| Lower Trigram: | Tui, Joy, a Lake | |
| Governing Ruler: | Nine in the fifth place | |
The Image
Clouds above the lake: the image of Chien. The superior man, in accordance with this, constructs his methods of numbering and measurement, and discusses points of virtue and conduct.
Miscellaneous Signs
Huan scatters, but Chien its code of rules uprears.
The Judgement
Chieh intimates that, under its conditions, there will be progress and attainment. But if the regulations which it prescribes be severe and difficult, they cannot be permanent.
Commentary
'Chieh intimates progress and attainment': the strong and the weak lines are equally divided, and the strong ones occupy the central places.
'If the regulations which it prescribes be severe and difficult, they cannot be permanent': its course of action will in that case come to an end. We have the feeling of joy and satisfaction directing the course amidst peril. We have all regulations controlled by authority in its proper place (i.e. the fourth and the fifth place). We have free action proceeding from the central and correct position. Heaven and earth observe their regular terms, and we have the four seasons complete. If rulers frame their measures according to the due regulations, the resources suffer no injury, and the people receive no hurt.
'Chieh intimates progress and attainment': the strong and the weak lines are equally divided, and the strong ones occupy the central places.
'If the regulations which it prescribes be severe and difficult, they cannot be permanent': its course of action will in that case come to an end. We have the feeling of joy and satisfaction directing the course amidst peril. We have all regulations controlled by authority in its proper place (i.e. the fourth and the fifth place). We have free action proceeding from the central and correct position. Heaven and earth observe their regular terms, and we have the four seasons complete. If rulers frame their measures according to the due regulations, the resources suffer no injury, and the people receive no hurt.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom nine
Showing its subject not quitting the courtyard outside his door. There will be no error.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 1, Chapter VIII-10.
'He does not quit the courtyard outside his door': he knows when he has free course and when he is obstructed.
Nine in the second placeShowing its subject not quitting the courtyard inside his gate. There will be evil.
'He does not quit the courtyard inside his gate. There will be evil': he loses the time for action to an extreme degree.
Six in the third placeShowing its subject with no appearance of observing the proper regulations, in which case we shall also see him lamenting. But there will be no one to blame but himself.
In the 'lamentation for not observing the regulations', who should there be to blame?
Six in the fourth placeShowing its subject quietly and naturally attentive to all regulations. There will be progress and success.
The 'progress and success of the quiet and natural attention to all regulations', is due to the deference which accepts the ways of the ruler above.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing its subject sweetly and acceptably enacting his regulations. There will be good fortune. The onward progress with them will afford ground for admiration.
The 'good fortune arising from the regulations enacted sweetly and acceptably', is due to the line occupying the place of authority and being in the centre.
Top-most sixShowing its subject enacting regulations severe and difficult. Even with firmness and correctness there will be evil. But though there will be cause for repentance, it will by and by disappear.
'The regulations are severe and difficult. Even with firmness and correctness there will be evil': the course indicated by the hexagram is come to an end.
 1. Ch'ien Creative Principle |  2. K'un Passive Principle |  3. Chun Initial Difficulties |  4. Meng Youthful Inexperience |  5. Hsü Delay |  6. Sung Conflict |  7. Shih The Army |  8. Pi Seeking Unity |  9. Hsiao Ch'u Minor Restraint |  10. Lü Treading carefully |  11. T'ai Peace |  12. P'i Stagnation |  13. T'ung Jen Companionship |  14. Ta Yu Great Possessions |  15. Ch'ien Modesty |  16. Yü Enthusiasm |  17. Sui Allegiance |  18. Ku Arresting Decay |  19. Lin Approaching |  20. Kuan Contemplation |  21. Shih Ho Biting through |  22. Pi Grace |  23. Po Disintegration |  24. Fu The Turning Point |  25. Wu Wang Innocence |  26. Ta Ch'u Restraining Force |  27. I Nourishment |  28. Ta Kuo Excess |  29. K'an The Abyss |  30. Li Clinging Brightness |  31. Hsieh Influence |  32. Heng Endurance |  33. Tun Withdrawal |  34. Ta Chuang Strength of Greatness |  35. Chin Progress |  36. Ming I Sinking Light |  37. Chia Jen The Family |  38. K'uei Opposition |  39. Chien Obstacles |  40. Hsieh Deliverance |  41. Sun Decrease |  42. I Increase |  43. Kuai Resolution |  44. Kou Coming on |  45. Ts'ui Congregation |  46. Sheng Moving upward |  47. K'un Exhaustion |  48. Ching The Well |  49. Ko Revolution |  50. Ting The Cauldron |  51. Chen Thunderclap |  52. Ken Inaction |  53. Chien Gradual Progress |  54. Kuei Mei Marriageable Maiden |  55. Feng Abundance |  56. Lü The Wanderer |  57. Sun Gentle Penetration |  58. Tui Joy |  59. Huan Dispersal | 60. Chien Restraint |  61. Cung Fu Inner Truth |  62. Hsiao Kuo Small Excess |  63. Chi Chi Completion and After |  64. Wei Chi Before Completion |