坎
The Abysmal (Water)
L'Insondable (L'Eau)
Kǎn
Upper trigram
Water
Lower trigram
Water
The Judgment
The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and what you undertake succeeds.
The Image
Water flows without interruption and reaches its goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the noble man walks in constant virtue and practices teaching.
Meaning
Danger, depth, trial. Like water that always flows downwards, perseverance in sincerity allows one to traverse dangers.
The six lines
Line 1 (bottom)
Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.
Line 2
The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to achieve only small things.
Line 3
Forward and backward, abyss upon abyss. In such danger, stop first and wait, otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss. Do not act thus.
Line 4
A jug of wine, an extra bowl of rice, earthenware vessels, simply passed through the window. There is certainly no blame in this.
Line 5
The abyss is not filled to overflowing, it is filled only to the brim. No blame.
Line 6 (top)
Bound with ropes and cables, enclosed in the prison with thorny walls. For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.