Knotlore

Hexagram 29

Pitfalls

坎 · kǎn

Upper trigram
坎 · water
Lower trigram
坎 · water

Judgement

習坎：有孚，維心亨，行有尚。

Khan, here repeated, shows the possession of sincerity, through which the mind is penetrating. Action (in accordance with this) will be of high value.

James Legge, 1882

Lines · bottom to top

  1. Line 1 初六

    初六：習坎，入于坎窞，凶。

    The first line, divided, shows its subject in the double defile, and (yet) entering a cavern within it. There will be evil.

  2. Line 2 九二

    九二：坎有險，求小得。

    The second line, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.

  3. Line 3 六三

    六三：來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。

    The third line, divided, shows its subject, whether he comes or goes (= descends or ascends), confronted by a defile. All is peril to him and unrest. (His endeavours) will lead him into the cavern of the pit. There should be no action (in such a case).

  4. Line 4 六四

    六四：樽酒簋，貳用缶，納約自牖，終无咎。

    The fourth line, divided, shows its subject (at a feast), with (simply) a bottle of spirits, and a subsidiary basket of rice, while (the cups and bowls) are (only) of earthenware. He introduces his important lessons (as his ruler's) intelligence admits. There will in the end be no error.

  5. Line 5 九五

    九五：坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。

    The fifth line, undivided, shows the water of the defile not yet full, (so that it might flow away); but order will (soon) be brought about. There will be no error.

  6. Line 6 上六

    上六：係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。

    The topmost line, divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.