Hexagram 47, Kùn (Exhaustion): Line 5
困卦九五 · 泽水困 · 中文版
九五:劓刖,困于赤绂,乃徐有说,利用祭祀。
The line (Legge)
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with his nose and feet cut off. He is straitened by (his ministers in their) scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements, however, and is satisfied. It will be well for him to be (as sincere) as in sacrificing (to spiritual beings).
Small Image commentary
'His nose and feet are cut off:' - his aim has not yet been gained. 'He is leisurely, however, in his movements, and is satisfied:' - his position is central and (his virtue) is correct. 'It will be well for him to be (as sincere as) in sacrificing:' - so shall he receive blessing.
象曰:劓刖,志未得也。乃徐有说,以中直也。利用祭祀,受福也。
In plain words
Nose and feet cut off, oppressed by the one in the red knee-cover; slowly joy comes; it is favourable to make offerings. The punishments stand for being hurt from above and below. The fifth line holds the place of honour and is hurt in its oppression, but being central and correct, it slowly comes free. The Small Image says its aims are not yet achieved; joy comes slowly because it is central and straight; making offerings brings blessing.
Applying it to your situation
If you are being hurt on every side, this line suggests holding to what is central and right, and things will slowly improve. What sincerity is holding you up now?
Position
A solid (yang) line in the fifth place, which is a yang (odd) place, so it is in its proper place. It holds the centre of the upper trigram. Its partner is line 2; both are yang, so they do not respond.
If this line moves
With this line moving alone, Kùn changes into Hexagram 40 Xiè (Deliverance). The Jiaoshi Yilin verse for this change (Chinese): 焦氏易林·困之解.
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.