| Name | 需 Xū, “Waiting” |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☵ 坎 Water: danger and depth |
| Lower trigram | ☰ 乾 Heaven: strength and initiative |
The Judgment
有孚，光亨，贞吉，利涉大川。
With sincerity, light and success. Stay true — fortune. It is wise to cross the great water.
Trust the timing. When you've done the inner work, even the big risks open up.
The Image
云上于天，需；君子以饮食宴乐。
Clouds rise to the heavens — Waiting. The wise eat, drink, and stay at ease.
Storm's coming, but it's not here yet. Eat well, rest, gather strength. The wait is the move.
The six lines
If a line changes in your cast, read its text below. Lines are numbered from the bottom.
Line 1 · first (bottom) · Yang
需于郊，利用恒，无咎。
Waiting in the meadow. Persevere in the ordinary. No blame.
Trouble's still far off. Keep your normal routine — don't manufacture drama.
Line 2 · second · Yang
需于沙，小有言，终吉。
Waiting on the sand. A little talk, but in the end, fortune.
Edges of the storm now — gossip, small friction. Don't react. It passes.
Line 3 · third · Yang
需于泥，致寇至。
Waiting in the mud. Enemies arrive.
You walked too close to the mess. Now it's at your door. Steady up.
Line 4 · fourth · Yin
需于血，出自穴。
Waiting in blood. Out of the pit.
It got real and it hurt. But you're climbing out. Don't look back too long.
Line 5 · fifth · Yang
需于酒食，贞吉。
Waiting at food and drink. Stay true — fortune.
You've earned a pause. Rest without guilt. Stay grounded in who you are.
Line 6 · top · Yin
入于穴，有不速之客三人来，敬之终吉。
Falling into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them — fortune in the end.
Bottom moment. Unexpected help shows up. Welcome it — even if it doesn't look like what you wanted.
Related hexagrams
- Inverted (turned upside down): Hexagram 6, Conflict
- Complement (every line reversed): Hexagram 35, Progress