 | Contemplation | |
| Upper Trigram: | Sun, Gentle Penetration, Mildness, Wind, Wood | |
| Lower Trigram: | K'un, Passive Principle, Earth | |
| Governing Rulers: | Nine in the fifth place Top-most nine | |
The Image
The trigram for earth, and that for wind moving above it; these form Kuan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, examined the different regions of the kingdom, to see the ways of the people, and set forth their instructions.
Miscellaneous Signs
Kuan seeks, Lin gives, such are their themes.
The Judgement
Contemplation. He whom it represents should be like a worshipper who has made his ablutions, but not yet presented his offerings; with sincerity and an appearance of dignity commanding reverent regard.
Commentary
The great Manifester occupies an upper place in the hexagram, which consists of the trigrams whose attributes are penetration and docility. He is in the central position and his correct place, and thus exhibits his lessons to all under heaven.
Kuan shows its subject 'like a worshipper who has made his ablutions, but not yet presented his offerings; with sincerity and an appearance of dignity commanding reverent regard': all beneath look up to him and are transformed. When we contemplate the spirit-like way of heaven, we see the four seasons proceed without error. The sages, in accordance with the spirit-like way, laid down their instructions, and all under heaven yield submission to them.
The great Manifester occupies an upper place in the hexagram, which consists of the trigrams whose attributes are penetration and docility. He is in the central position and his correct place, and thus exhibits his lessons to all under heaven.
Kuan shows its subject 'like a worshipper who has made his ablutions, but not yet presented his offerings; with sincerity and an appearance of dignity commanding reverent regard': all beneath look up to him and are transformed. When we contemplate the spirit-like way of heaven, we see the four seasons proceed without error. The sages, in accordance with the spirit-like way, laid down their instructions, and all under heaven yield submission to them.
The Lines and commentaries
Bottom six
Showing the looking of a lad; not blamable in men of inferior rank, but a matter for regret in superior men.
The 'looking of a lad' indicates the way of the inferior people.
Six in the second placeShowing one peeping out from a door. It would be advantageous if it were merely the firm correctness of a female.
The 'firm correctness of a woman, in peeping out from a door', is also a thing to be ashamed of in a superior man.
Six in the third placeLooking at the course of one's own life, to advance or recede accordingly.
'He looks at the course of his own life, to advance or recede accordingly'; he will not err in the path to be pursued.
Six in the fourth placeShowing its subject contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It would be advantageous for him, such as he is, to seek to be a guest of the king.
'He contemplates the glory of the kingdom', thence arises his wish to be a guest at the court.
Nine in the fifth placeShowing its subject contemplating the course of his own life. A superior man, he will thus fall into no error.
'Contemplating the course of his own life': he should, for this purpose, contemplate the condition of the people.
Top-most nineShowing its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will fall into no error.
'He contemplates his own character': he cannot even yet let his mind be at rest.
 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 |