63 · 既濟
Hexagram 63, 既濟. Original Chinese judgment: 亨，小利貞，初吉終亂。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
亨，小利貞，初吉終亂。
Line texts
- 初九：曳其輪，濡其尾，无咎。
- 六二：婦喪其茀，勿逐，七日得。
- 九三：高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。
- 六四：繻有衣袽，終日戒。
- 九五：東鄰殺牛，不如西鄰之禴祭，實受其福。
- 上六：濡其首，厲。
Tuan commentary
既濟，亨，小者亨也。利貞，剛柔正而位當也。初吉，柔得中也。終止則亂，其道窮也。
Great Image commentary
水在火上，既濟；君子以思患而豫防之。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 曳其輪，義无咎也。
- 七日得，以中道也。
- 三年克之，憊也。
- 終日戒，有所疑也。
- 東鄰殺牛，不如西鄰之時也；實受其福，吉大來也。
- 濡其首厲，何可久也。
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 Ji Ji through water and fire interacting, each serving its function, with all six lines correctly placed. Affairs are complete, yet the hexagram and its lines repeatedly warn: initial completion may be auspicious, but preserving it to an extreme can breed disorder.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- The first yang line at completion’s beginning holds back the wheels and lets the crossing fox wet its tail. Deliberate caution rather than rapid advance can be without blame.
- Cultivated clarity with centered correctness in the second line corresponds with the fifth and could act, but the fifth fails to approach the worthy below in completed circumstances, leaving the second temporarily without the means to proceed. Do not pursue; time brings their return.
- Firmness in a firm third position resembles Gaozong campaigning against Guifang for three years before success. Do not launch lightly or employ unsuitable people.
- Yielding in a yielding fourth position still prepares rags to plug a boat’s leaks and stays vigilant throughout the day after completion. Preventing harm beforehand is especially important once affairs are complete.
- The honored fifth position has passed its fitting time. The eastern neighbor’s lavish ox sacrifice is inferior to the western neighbor’s modest offering at the right time. Sincerity and timing receive blessing more than outward scale.
- Yielding yin at completion’s extreme above Kan’s danger is like crossing with even the head submerged. Without vigilance, the danger cannot be endured for long.
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
Ji Ji brings water and fire into interaction, with all six lines in their proper positions, representing completion. Completion is not the end: change is already developing when order is most complete. Prevent renewed disorder even in a settled state.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- At the beginning of completion, hold back the wheels and wet only the tail while crossing. Prefer cautious, slow progress; thus there is no blame.
- A protection or support like a carriage curtain is temporarily lost. Do not chase it hastily; maintain the middle way and it returns when the time arrives.
- Overcoming a strong enemy only through prolonged hardship shows that major undertakings must not be rash and must not employ those lacking ability.
- Prepare rags to plug a leaking boat. Vigilance throughout the day after completion prevents errors caused by ease.
- Lavish sacrificial offerings are inferior to modest ones made at the fitting time with sincere respect. Outward extravagance cannot replace genuine appropriateness.
- Crossing until even the head is submerged represents losing vigilance after completion and continuing rashly forward; the situation is dangerous.