47 · 困

Hexagram 47, 困. Original Chinese judgment: 亨，貞，大人吉，无咎，有言不信。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

亨，貞，大人吉，无咎，有言不信。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三歲不覿。
  2. 九二：困于酒食，朱紱方來，利用享祀，征凶，无咎。
  3. 六三：困于石，據于蒺蔾，入于其宮，不見其妻，凶。
  4. 九四：來徐徐，困于金車，吝，有終。
  5. 九五：劓刖，困于赤紱，乃徐有說，利用祭祀。
  6. 上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。

Tuan commentary

困，剛掩也。險以說，困而不失其所，亨；其唯君子乎？貞大人吉，以剛中也。有言不信，尚口乃窮也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 困

Great Image commentary

澤无水，困；君子以致命遂志。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 入于幽谷，幽不明也。
  2. 困于酒食，中有慶也。
  3. 據于蒺藜，乘剛也。入于其宮，不見其妻，不祥也。
  4. 來徐徐，志在下也。雖不當位，有與也。
  5. 劓刖，志未得也。乃徐有說，以中直也。利用祭祀，受福也。
  6. 困于葛藟，未當也。動悔，有悔，吉行也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Kun, the Constraint hexagram, as yang firmness obscured by yielding yin. Kan’s danger and Dui’s joy allow the exemplary person to remain unhindered in following the proper way despite bodily constraint. Maintain correctness quietly; mere reliance on speech deepens hardship.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. Yielding yin at the lowest point of constraint and deepest darkness resembles sitting against a stump and entering a dark valley, unable to see light for a long time.
  2. The second yang line possesses firm, centered virtue but excessive food and drink constrain it through desire. Sincere, respectful offerings are fitting now, not an outward expedition.
  3. Yielding yin in the third line lacks centered correctness, blocked above by a hard rock and resting below on thorns. Returning home finds no correspondence; advance and retreat lack support, hence inauspiciousness.
  4. The fourth yang line is incorrectly placed and cannot promptly help its proper correspondence below, also blocked by the second line. Help comes slowly; despite humiliation, the proper correspondence remains and ultimately meets.
  5. In a time of constraint, the fifth yang line suffers injury above and below, leaving honored rank without scope. Yet firm centered strength in Dui can gradually gain release after a longer wait.
  6. Yielding yin at the extreme of constraint is entangled in vines with an unsettled footing. Extreme difficulty can change; genuine correction followed by action can be auspicious.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Kun, the Constraint hexagram, describes yang strength obscured and circumstances restricted. Even when constrained, one need not lose the way one holds to. Maintain correctness and speak little at this time; relying solely on verbal argument only deepens the difficulty.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Yielding weakness is at the bottom of the difficulty, like entering a dark valley and not seeing light for a long time.
  2. Firm strength at the center is nevertheless constrained by enjoyment and desire. Maintain sincere respect rather than undertaking an outward expedition.
  3. Blocked above by a hard rock and hurt below by thorns, with no corresponding person on returning, one lacks a basis for both advance and retreat.
  4. The position is unsuitable and help arrives slowly. Although there is regret, the proper correspondence remains and a meeting is ultimately possible.
  5. In an honored position but suffering damage above and below, one temporarily has no scope to act. With firm, centered virtue, release can gradually come over time.
  6. At the extreme of constraint, one is like someone entangled in vines. Genuine repentance followed by action can make the difficulty change.

Read the source