Trigrams
☵☵ – Water above, Water below
Meaning
Represents danger, repeated peril, and the abyss. Water flows on without ceasing, always finding its way through — this is the lesson. True inner confidence maintains flow through any obstacle. The way through danger is not to panic but to keep moving forward steadily.
Interpretation
- Face danger with a calm heart and steady resolve.
- Maintain your inner truth and sincerity as your anchor in perilous times.
- Keep moving forward; water always finds its level and its path.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
习坎，入于坎竡，凶。
English: Habituated to the abyss, falling into the pit within the pit — misfortune. Becoming accustomed to danger without developing the skill to escape it only deepens the trap.
Luck Level: Misfortune
2nd Yao (二爻)
坎有险，求小得。
English: In the abyss there is danger, but one can attain small gains. Even in serious difficulty, modest progress is possible through careful and patient effort.
Luck Level: Caution
3rd Yao (三爻)
来之坎坎，险且枕，入于坎竡，勿用。
English: Coming and going, abyss upon abyss — dangerous and also a place to rest. Falling into the innermost pit — do not act. Surrounded by danger on all sides; stillness is the only safe option.
Luck Level: Caution
4th Yao (四爻)
樽酒，簇贰，用缶，纳约自爨，终无咎。
English: A jug of wine, a bowl to go with it, using earthenware; receiving the bond of trust through the window — in the end no blame. Simple sincerity in a confined situation eventually breaks through.
Luck Level: Neutral
5th Yao (五爻)
坎不盈，祉既平，无咎。
English: The pit is not yet full, but the ground is already level — no blame. Progress toward resolution is happening even though the abyss is not yet conquered.
Luck Level: Neutral
6th Yao (上爻)
系用彽墨，置于丛棘，三岁不得，凶。
English: Bound with cords of twisted rope, placed in a thorn thicket — for three years one cannot escape. Misfortune. Complete entrapment, with no way out in sight.
Luck Level: Misfortune