未濟

Hexagram 64: Before Completion → Hexagram 19: Approach

䷿
未濟
Before Completion
Fire / Water
Approach
Earth / Lake
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

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

Line 1

初六 濡其尾。吝。

soaking
that
wěitail
lìnembarrassment

Six at the beginning means: He gets his tail in the water. Humiliating.

Line 4

九四 貞吉悔亡。震用伐鬼方。三年有賞于大國。

zhēnpersistence
is promising
huǐand
wángpass
zhènshock
yòngwas used
to subjugate
guǐthe barbarian
fāngcountry
sānbut
niányears
yǒubrought about
shǎngthe grants
of
great
guóstates

Nine in the fourth place means: Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. Shock, thus to discipline the Devil's Country. For three years, great realms are awarded.

Line 6

上九 有孚于飲酒。无咎。濡其首。有孚失是。

yǒubeing
true
amidst
yǐnthe drinking
jiǔwine
no
jiùblame
but to soak
that
shǒuhead
yǒueven being
true
shīis to lose
shìthat

Nine at the top means: There is drinking of wine In genuine confidence. No blame. But if one wets his head, He loses it, in truth.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramFire EarthThe Clinging → The Receptive
Lower TrigramWater LakeThe Deep → The Joyous

Yilin Verse

所望在外,鼎金方來。拭爵滌罍,炊食待之,不為季憂。

What is hoped for lies beyond; the bronze tripod and gold are coming. Wiping the cups, cleansing the vessels; cooking food to await them. No cause to fret over trifles.

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

Commentary

Fire above water, and what is hoped for lies beyond the horizon. The precious cauldron-gold is on its way. Wine vessels are polished, goblets rinsed clean, food prepared — all in expectation of arrival. There is no worry about the season's delay. The verse radiates confident anticipation: the guest has not yet arrived, but the household prepares as though the outcome is certain. From Before Completion to Approach, fire-over-water transforms into earth above the lake, the image of the sovereign descending to meet the people. Approach carries the energy of winter solstice — the first yang lines rising, the great drawing near. The vessels are clean because the host knows what is coming. Before Completion's uncertainty dissolves when one prepares with absolute faith.

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