48 · 井
Hexagram 48, 井. Original Chinese judgment: 改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至，亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至，亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。
Line texts
- 初六：井泥不食，舊井无禽。
- 九二：井谷射鮒，瓮敝漏。
- 九三：井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。
- 六四：井甃，无咎。
- 九五：井冽，寒泉食。
- 上六：井收勿幕，有孚元吉。
Tuan commentary
巽乎水而上水，井；井養而不窮也。改邑不改井，乃以剛中也。汔至亦未繘井，未有功也。羸其瓶，是以凶也。
Great Image commentary
木上有水，井；君子以勞民勸相。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 井泥不食，下也。舊井无禽，時舍也。
- 井谷射鮒，无與也。
- 井渫不食，行惻也。求王明，受福也。
- 井甃无咎，修井也。
- 寒泉之食，中正也。
- 元吉在上，大成也。
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》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Jing through Xun’s wood entering below Kan’s water and drawing it up. A well nourishes without exhaustion. Though its constant function has no gain or loss, careful effort remains necessary; do not damage the drawing vessel near success.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- Yin at the well’s bottom in the first line has mud without a spring. Neither people drink nor birds come, like an old well abandoned by the times.
- Firm strength at the center in the second line has spring water but no proper correspondence above, attaching below to the first. Water flows only to small fish in the hollow and the earthen drawing jar leaks, preventing its use above.
- Yang in a yang third position is a cleaned, drawable well still unused, regretted even by passersby. A discerning ruler’s use benefits both giver and receiver.
- Yin in a yin fourth position is correct. Though yielding and without a spring, not yet benefiting others, it repairs the well’s walls. Self-repair can be without blame.
- Firm, centered correctness in the fifth line is clear well water and a cold drinkable spring, genuinely benefiting others from internal resources. Its virtue is needed to accord with the image.
- The top yin line stands where water emerges and the function is fulfilled. Keep drawing open rather than covered; a dependable, inexhaustible source shared sincerely is primally 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
Jing uses drawing water to nourish people as its image. A well's location and basic function endure, but its walls still need repair, the drawing equipment must be ready and access must remain open. Resources that do not actually benefit people have not fulfilled the way of the well.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- The bottom holds only mud, without usable spring water. No one drinks and even birds do not come, like an old abandoned well.
- Spring water exists but flows only downward to small fish, while the drawing vessel leaks. The resource cannot serve a purpose above.
- The well is clean and ready for drawing, yet unused, which is regrettable. If a discerning ruler puts it to use, both sides can benefit.
- Although unable for now to benefit others, one can repair the well's walls. First putting oneself in order can be without blame.
- The well water is clear and the cold spring is drinkable. The internal resource is now genuinely fit for people's use.
- Water has been drawn and the function fulfilled. Leave access open rather than covering it; the source is dependable and inexhaustible, so sharing is greatly auspicious.