62 · 小過

Judgment

亨，利貞，可小事，不可大事。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上，宜下，大吉。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

1. 初六：飛鳥以凶。
2. 六二：過其祖，遇其妣；不及其君，遇其臣；无咎。
3. 九三：弗過防之，從或戕之，凶。
4. 九四：无咎，弗過遇之。往厲必戒，勿用永貞。
5. 六五：密雲不雨，自我西郊，公弋取彼在穴。
6. 上六：弗遇過之，飛鳥離之，凶，是謂災眚。

Tuan commentary

小過，小者過而亨也。過以利貞，與時行也。柔得中，是以小事吉也。剛失位而不中，是以不可大事也。有飛鳥之象焉，有飛鳥遺之音，不宜上宜下，大吉；上逆而下順也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 小过

Great Image commentary

山上有雷，小過；君子以行過乎恭，喪過乎哀，用過乎儉。

Small Images · bottom to top

1. 飛鳥以凶，不可如何也。
2. 不及其君，臣不可過也。
3. 從或戕之，凶如何也。
4. 弗過遇之，位不當也。往厲必戒，終不可長也。
5. 密雲不雨，已上也。
6. 弗遇過之，已亢也。

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 Xiao Guo through four yin lines outside and two yang within, yin outnumbering yang so the small somewhat exceeds. Yielding centers in the second and fifth allow small matters, not great undertakings; responsive movement downward is auspicious.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

1. The first yin line corresponds above with the fourth yang and only seeks upward movement in a time of small excess, like a bird flying high against the tendency. Insisting on rising when unsuitable makes the inauspicious tendency hard to reverse.
2. Yielding, centered correctness in the second line passes yang to meet its own kind while keeping the subject’s bounds and not passing the ruler’s position. Some excess without going too far is without blame.
3. Firm yang correctly placed in the third line is the object the yin lines seek to harm. Relying on strength without increasing defenses allows even followers to cause injury.
4. Firmness in a yielding fourth position is appropriately humble in small excess, without blame. Further advance becomes excessive and dangerous; adjust as needed rather than holding one method indefinitely.
5. Yin in the honored fifth position during excessive yin cannot accomplish great affairs alone. It seeks help from the second yin line of its kind, like dense clouds still unable to yield rain.
6. Yielding yin at the top of movement has gone too high and far, like a bird caught in a net. Exceeding fitting limits becomes calamity.

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

Xiao Guo has more yin than yang, indicating that small matters may allow a slight excess while large undertakings should not be forced ahead. Humility, caution and knowing when enough is enough guide the hexagram, rather than treating lofty displays of force as ability.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

1. At the lowest position, one hastens to fly upward against a time that calls for staying low rather than rising; this is inauspicious.
2. Passing beyond yang lines toward one's own kind while respecting the order of positions, rather than advancing rashly, can be without blame.
3. Firm strength relies on itself. With insufficient preparation, it may be harmed by excessive yielding forces; remain alert.
4. Firm strength occupies a yielding position. Avoiding excess is without blame, but further advance easily goes too far; stay cautious and adjust as needed.
5. Yielding yin occupies a high position but lacks strength, like dense clouds without rain. Great work is difficult to accomplish alone; seek suitable help.
6. Crossing the fitting boundary and flying too high leaves no place to return, like a bird caught in a net. This results from excess.

Read the source

• 中国哲学书电子化计划 · 周易
• 维基文库 · 朱熹《周易本义》（四库全书本）卷二