| Name | 观 Guān, “Contemplation” |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☴ 巽 Wind: gentle, persistent influence |
| Lower trigram | ☷ 坤 Earth: receptivity and support |
The Judgment
盥而不荐，有孚颙若。
The ablution has been made, but not yet the offering. Sincerity, in dignity.
Right before the big moment — when intention is pure and nothing's been said yet. Hold that energy.
The Image
风行地上，观；先王以省方，观民设教。
Wind moves over the earth — Contemplation. The ancient kings observed the regions, studied the people, and established their teachings.
Look before you lead. Walk through your world, watch how people actually live, then speak.
The six lines
If a line changes in your cast, read its text below. Lines are numbered from the bottom.
Line 1 · first (bottom) · Yin
童观，小人无咎，君子吝。
Childlike contemplation. For the small-minded — no blame. For the noble one — shame.
Surface-level looking. Fine for a beginner. Not fine if you're supposed to know better.
Line 2 · second · Yin
窥观，利女贞。
Peering contemplation. Wise for a recluse woman.
Watching the world through a crack in the door. Useful for the protected, limiting for the one meant to lead.
Line 3 · third · Yin
观我生，进退。
Contemplating my own life — to advance or retreat.
Honest self-audit. Decide your next move based on what's actually true about you right now.
Line 4 · fourth · Yin
观国之光，利用宾于王。
Contemplating the light of the kingdom. Wise to be the king's guest.
Seeing how power actually moves at the highest level. You're being shown what you could step into.
Line 5 · fifth · Yang
观我生，君子无咎。
Contemplating my own life. The noble one — no blame.
Looking at your life as a story being read by others. If you're showing up with integrity, you've got nothing to hide.
Line 6 · top · Yang
观其生，君子无咎。
Contemplating his life. The noble one — no blame.
The detached, wider view. Watching life from above. From here, the small dramas dissolve.
Related hexagrams
- Inverted (turned upside down): Hexagram 19, Approach
- Complement (every line reversed): Hexagram 34, Great Power