Trigrams
☲☵ – Fire above, Water below
Meaning
Represents the state just before completion — fire above water, everything reversed. The young fox has almost crossed the ice but gets its tail wet. The end of one cycle is also the beginning of the next. Even in incompleteness there is great potential; care and persistence will bring completion.
Interpretation
- The finishing line is close — do not falter or become careless now.
- Take each remaining step with the same care as all the steps before.
- Incompleteness is not failure; it is the very state from which new possibility is born.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
濡其尾，吝。
English: Getting the tail wet — regret. The young fox, almost across, gets its tail wet. Being careless at the very start of a crossing brings regret.
Luck Level: Caution
2nd Yao (二爻)
曳其轮，贞吉。
English: Dragging back the wheels — perseverance brings good fortune. Restraining oneself from rushing, holding back and proceeding carefully.
Luck Level: Good
3rd Yao (三爻)
未济，征凶，利涉大川。
English: Before completion — going forward is misfortune, but beneficial to cross the great river. The moment requires a major, decisive commitment rather than small cautious steps.
Luck Level: Misfortune
4th Yao (四爻)
贞吉，悔亡；震用伐鬼方，三年有赏于大国。
English: Perseverance brings good fortune, regret disappears. Thunder is used to attack the devil country — after three years there are rewards from the great state. Sustained effort over a long period brings recognition and great reward.
Luck Level: Good
5th Yao (五爻)
贞吉，无悔；君子之光，有孚，吉。
English: Perseverance brings good fortune, no regret. The radiance of the noble person — there is sincerity. Good fortune. The inner light of virtue shines most clearly on the threshold of completion.
Luck Level: Good
6th Yao (上爻)
有孚于饮酒，无咎；濡其首，有孚失是。
English: Sincerity in drinking wine — no blame. But getting the head wet — the sincerity is lost in excess. Celebrating with genuine joy is fine, but losing control at the moment of near-completion destroys the sincerity that made it possible.
Luck Level: Neutral