Hexagram 47, Kùn (Exhaustion): Line 2

困卦九二 · 泽水困 · 中文版

九二:困于酒食,朱绂方来,利用享祀,征凶,无咎。

The line (Legge)

The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject straitened amidst his wine and viands. There come to him anon the red knee-covers (of the ruler). It will be well for him (to maintain his sincerity as) in sacrificing. Active operations (on his part) will lead to evil, but he will be free from blame.

Small Image commentary

'He is straitened amidst his wine and viands:' - (but) his position is central, and there will be ground for congratulation.

象曰:困于酒食,中有庆也。

In plain words

Oppressed amid wine and food; the one in the red knee-cover is about to come; it is favourable to make offerings; setting out brings misfortune, no fault. The red knee-cover was worn by nobles. The second line is strong and central; even in hardship it has food and drink, but it should wait sincerely to be called on by the fifth line and not act rashly. The Small Image says keeping to the middle brings celebration.

Applying it to your situation

If you are fairly secure even in a hard time, this line suggests waiting sincerely: the chance will come. While you wait, how can you keep faith?

Position

A solid (yang) line in the second place, which is a yin (even) place, so it is not in its proper place. It holds the centre of the lower trigram. Its partner is line 5; both are yang, so they do not respond.

If this line moves

With this line moving alone, Kùn changes into Hexagram 45 Cuì (Gathering Together). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·困之萃.

The hexagram

Hexagram 47 Kùn (Exhaustion). The Judgment: In (the condition denoted by) Kun there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.

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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. Offered for study and reflection, not as prediction. Plain-English readings and position notes by this site.

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