Knotlore

Hexagram 48

The Well

井 · jǐng

Upper trigram
坎 · water
Lower trigram
巽 · wind

Judgement

井：改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至，亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。

(Looking at) Tsing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

James Legge, 1882

Lines · bottom to top

  1. Line 1 初六

    初六：井泥不食，舊井无禽。

    The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.

  2. Line 2 九二

    九二：井谷射鮒，甕敝漏。

    The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.

  3. Line 3 九三

    九三：井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。

    The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.

  4. Line 4 六四

    六四：井甃，无咎。

    The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.

  5. Line 5 九五

    九五：井冽，寒泉食。

    The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.

  6. Line 6 上六

    上六：井收勿幕，有孚，元吉。

    The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.