 | Treading carefully | |
| Upper Trigram: | Ch'ien, Creative Principle, Heaven | |
| Lower Trigram: | Tui, Joy, a Lake | |
| Governing Ruler: | Nine in the fifth place | |
| Constitutional Ruler: | Six in the third place | |
The Image
The sky above, and below it the waters of a lake: the image of Lü. The superior man, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of the people.
Miscellaneous Signs
Hsiao Ch'u with few 'gainst many foes contends; Movement in Lü, unresting, never ends.
The Judgement
Lü suggests the idea of one treading on the tail of a tiger, that does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
Appended Judgement
Lü shows us the foundation of virtue and the perfection of harmony. Lü also appears in the harmony of conduct.
See also: Ta Chuan - Section 2, Chapter VII-2,3,4.
Commentary
In Lü we see weakness (the yin-line) treading on strength. The lower trigram indicates pleasure and satisfaction, and responds to the upper, representing strength. Hence 'he treads on the tail of a tiger, that does not bite him; there will be progress and success'. The fifth line is strong, in the centre, and in its correct place. Its subject occupies the God-given position, and falls into no distress or failure; his actions will be brilliant.
In Lü we see weakness (the yin-line) treading on strength. The lower trigram indicates pleasure and satisfaction, and responds to the upper, representing strength. Hence 'he treads on the tail of a tiger, that does not bite him; there will be progress and success'. The fifth line is strong, in the centre, and in its correct place. Its subject occupies the God-given position, and falls into no distress or failure; his actions will be brilliant.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom nine
This line shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
'He treads his accustomed path and goes forward': singly and exclusively he carries out his wishes.
Nine in the second placeShowing its subject treading a path that is level and easy; a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
'A quiet and solitary man, to whom, being firm and correct, there will be good fortune': holding the due mean, he will not allow himself to be thrown into disorder.
Six in the third placeA one-eyed man who thinks he can see well; a lame man who thinks he can walk; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. All this indicates ill fortune. We have one merely acting the part of a great ruler.
'A one-eyed man who thinks he can see': he is not fit to see clearly.
'A lame man who thinks he can walk': one cannot walk along with him. The 'ill fortune of being bitten', arises from the place not being the proper one for him.
'One merely acting the part of a great ruler': this is owing to his aims being too violent.
Nine in the fourth place'A lame man who thinks he can walk': one cannot walk along with him. The 'ill fortune of being bitten', arises from the place not being the proper one for him.
'One merely acting the part of a great ruler': this is owing to his aims being too violent.
Showing its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution; in the end there will be good fortune.
'He becomes full of apprehensive caution; in the end there will be good fortune': his aim takes effect.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing the resolute tread of its subject. But though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
'He treads resolutely; but though he be firm and correct, there will be peril': he treads resolutely, due to his being in the position that is correct and appropriate to him.
Top-most nineThis line suggests to look at the whole course that is trodden, and examine the signs encountered. If they be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
'There will be great good fortune', and that in the occupancy of the top-most line: this is great matter for congratulation.
 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 |