Hexagram 20: Contemplation → Hexagram 43: Breakthrough

Contemplation
Wind / Earth
Breakthrough
Lake / Heaven
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 5 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 6).

Line 1

初六 童觀。小人无咎。君子吝。

tóngchild's
guānperspective
xiǎofor little
rénpeople
no
jiùblame
jūnbut for a noble
young one
lìnan embarrassment

Six at the beginning means: Boy like contemplation. For an inferior man, no blame. For a superior man, humiliation.

Line 2

六二 闚觀。利女貞。

kuīa pry
guānperspective
reward
a young lady
zhēnpersistence

Six in the second place means: Contemplation through the crack of the door. Furthering for the perseverance of a woman.

Line 3

六三 觀我生進退。

guānperceiving
our
shēnglives
jìnas
退tuìand

Six in the third place means: Contemplation of my life Decides the choice Between advance and retreat.

Line 4

六四 觀國之光。利用賓于王。

guānperceiving
guóa country
zhī...'s
guāngglory
it is worthwhile
yòngand useful
bīnbeing a guest
to
wángits

Six in the fourth place means: Contemplation of the light of the kingdom. It furthers one to exert influence as the guest of a king.

Line 6

上九 觀其生。君子无咎。

guānperceiving
another's
shēnglives
jūna noble
young one
avoids
jiùblame

Nine at the top means: Contemplation of his life. The superior man is without blame.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramWind LakeThe Gentle → The Joyous
Lower TrigramEarth HeavenThe Receptive → The Creative

Yilin Verse

行堯欽德,養賢致福;眾英積聚,國無寇賊。

Practicing Yao reverent virtue, nurturing the worthy and winning blessing; the brilliant and talented gather together -- the state knows no brigands or thieves.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Wind over earth contemplates the governance of sage-kings. One practices the reverent virtue of Yao and nourishes the worthy to attract blessings. Outstanding men gather in abundance, and the state knows neither bandits nor thieves. Emperor Yao, the legendary sage-king, ruled through moral example rather than coercion, making meritocratic selection the cornerstone of good government. Lake over heaven forms Breakthrough, which resolutely removes what is corrupt. From Contemplation to Breakthrough, observation identifies the governing principle: when the worthy are gathered and nurtured, corruption has no foothold. The lake rises above heaven and overflows — abundance so great it cannot be contained, dispersing its blessings universally.

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