Hexagram 2: Kūn (The Receptive)
坤为地 · 第 2 卦 · Earth over Earth · 中文版
The Judgment
Kun (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.
坤：元，亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷后得主，利西南得朋，东北丧朋。安贞，吉。
Commentary on the Judgment (Tuan)
Complete is the 'great and originating (capacity)' indicated by Kun! All things owe to it their birth; - it receives obediently the influences of Heaven. Kun, in its largeness, supports and contains all things. Its excellent capacity matches the unlimited power (of Qian). Its comprehension is wide, and its brightness great. The various things obtain (by it) their full development. The mare is a creature of earthly kind. Its (power of) moving on the earth is without limit; it is mild and docile, advantageous and firm: - such is the course of the superior man. 'If he take the initiative, he goes astray:' - he misses, that is, his proper course. 'If he follow,' he is docile, and gets into his regular (course). 'In the south-west he will get friends:' - he will be walking with those of his own class. 'In the north-east he will lose friends:' - but in the end there will be ground for congratulation. 'The good fortune arising from resting in firmness' corresponds to the unlimited capacity of the earth.
彖曰：至哉坤元，万物资生，乃顺承天。坤厚载物，德合无疆。含弘光大，品物咸亨。牝马地类，行地无疆，柔顺利贞。君子攸行，先迷失道，后顺得常。西南得朋，乃与类行；东北丧朋，乃终有庆。安贞之吉，应地无疆。
The Great Image
The (capacity and sustaining) power of the earth is what is denoted by Kun. The superior man, in accordance with this, with his large virtue supports (men and) things.
象曰：地势坤，君子以厚德载物。
The six lines
Line 1 (first): In the first SIX, divided, (we see its subject) treading on hoarfrost. The strong ice will come (by and by).
'He is treading on hoarfrost; - the strong ice will come (by and by):' - the cold (air) has begun to take form. Allow it to go on quietly according to its nature, and (the hoarfrost) will come to strong ice.
初六：履霜，坚冰至。 象曰：履霜坚冰，阴始凝也。驯致其道，至坚冰也。 · 单爻页
Line 2 (second): The second SIX, divided, (shows the attribute of) being straight, square, and great. (Its operation), without repeated efforts, will be in every respect advantageous.
The movement indicated by the second six, (divided),is 'from the straight (line) to the square.' '(Its operation), without repeated effort, in every way advantageous,' shows the brilliant result of the way of earth.
六二：直，方，大，不习无不利。 象曰：六二之动，直以方也。不习无不利，地道光也。 · 单爻页
Line 3 (third): The third SIX, divided, (shows its subject) keeping his excellence under restraint, but firmly maintaining it. If he should have occasion to engage in the king's service, though he will not claim the success (for himself), he will bring affairs to a good issue.
'He keeps his excellence tinder restraint, but firmly maintains it:' - at the proper time he will manifest it. 'He may have occasion to engage in the king's service: - great is the glory of his wisdom.
六三：含章可贞。或从王事，无成有终。 象曰：含章可贞，以时发也。或从王事，知光大也。 · 单爻页
Line 4 (fourth): The fourth SIX, divided, (shows the symbol of) a sack tied up. There will be no ground for blame or for praise.
'A sack tied up; - there will be no error:' - this shows how, through carefulness, no injury will be received.
六四：括囊，无咎，无誉。 象曰：括囊无咎，慎不害也。 · 单爻页
Line 5 (fifth): The fifth SIX, divided, (shows) the yellow lower garment. There will be great good fortune.
S. 'The Yellow lower-garment; - there will be great good fortune:' - this follows from that ornamental (colour's) being in the right and central place.
六五：黄裳，元吉。 象曰：黄裳元吉，文在中也。 · 单爻页
Line 6 (sixth (top)): The sixth SIX, divided (shows) dragons fighting in the wild. Their blood is purple and yellow.
'The dragons fight in the wild: - the (onward) course (indicated by Kun) is pursued to extremity.
上六：龙战于野，其血玄黄。 象曰：龙战于野，其道穷也。 · 单爻页
All lines six (use of six)
(The lines of this hexagram are all weak and divided, as appears from) the use of the number six. If those (who are thus represented) be perpetually correct and firm, advantage will arise.
'(The lines are all weak and divided, as appears from) the use of the number SIX: - but (those who are thus represented) becoming perpetually correct and firm, there will thereby be a great consummation.
用六：利永贞。
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English text: James Legge, The Yi King (Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882), public domain, as transcribed by the Chinese Text Project. Chinese: the received text, checked against ctext.org. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction.