5 · 需

Hexagram 5, 需. Original Chinese judgment: 有孚，光亨，貞吉。利涉大川。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

有孚，光亨，貞吉。利涉大川。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：需于郊。利用恆，无咎。
  2. 九二：需于沙。小有言，終吉。
  3. 九三：需于泥，致寇至。
  4. 六四：需于血，出自穴。
  5. 九五：需于酒食，貞吉。
  6. 上六：入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。

Tuan commentary

需，須也，險在前也；剛健而不陷，其義不困窮矣。需，有孚，光亨，貞吉，位乎天位，以正中也。利涉大川，往有功也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 需

Great Image commentary

雲上於天，需；君子以飲食宴樂。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 需于郊，不犯難行也。利用恆，无咎，未失常也。
  2. 需于沙，衍在中也。雖小有言，以終吉也。
  3. 需于泥，災在外也。自我致寇，敬慎不敗也。
  4. 需于血，順以聽也。
  5. 酒食貞吉，以中正也。
  6. 不速之客來，敬之終吉。雖不當位，未大失也。

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）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Xu as waiting through vigorous strength meeting danger without advancing lightly. Waiting with inward trustworthiness and steadfast correctness provides the conditions for crossing obstacles.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. Danger is still distant, like waiting in the countryside. Yang strength maintains its place without reckless haste, and does not lose the constant way.
  2. Danger draws closer, like waiting on sand, with minor verbal injury. Firm strength at the center remains patient rather than urgent; the outcome can be auspicious.
  3. Approaching danger resembles sinking in mud. Excessive firmness without the center invites harm; respectful caution can still prevent ruin.
  4. One has entered the danger of Kan and a place of injury, but the fourth yin line is yielding and correctly placed, waiting rather than advancing. Responding to circumstances gives an image of escape.
  5. Firm yang is centered and correct in the honored position, calmly taking food and drink while waiting. Correctness without agitation grounds the auspicious reading.
  6. At the extreme of danger, one falls into a pit and cannot readily resist unexpected arrivals. Meeting them with yielding respect still allows a good conclusion.

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

Xu describes prepared waiting in the face of obstacles. Waiting is not stagnation: sincerity and a correct direction make it possible to undertake the crossing of difficulty when the time arrives.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Danger is still distant. Keep the ordinary rhythm and wait patiently to avoid needless faults.
  2. As danger draws nearer, there may be some criticism or friction. Staying steady can still lead to a favorable end.
  3. Already near the muddy danger, rash advance invites harm. Greater vigilance is needed.
  4. Within danger, seek a way out of the predicament rather than becoming further caught in it.
  5. In a position that allows settled waiting, eat and drink normally, remain correct without impatience, and wait for conditions to mature.
  6. Unexpected visitors arrive after entry into danger. Treating them with respect and care, rather than hostility, may still bring a good ending.

Read the source