Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Kūn (Earth), Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)]
Upper Trigram: Kūn (Earth) Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)
Judgment: Kūn: Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. The superior man undertakes something and practices persistence. Going west and south, he finds friends. Going east and north, he loses friends. Peaceful perseverance brings good fortune.
Symbolism: Receptivity, devotion, yielding, nurturing
Meaning of the Hexagram
The Kūn hexagram symbolizes pure receptivity and yielding. The character “Kūn” represents earth, receptivity, and nurturing. This hexagram consists of six broken yin lines, symbolizing pure yin energy, representing the receptive principle that complements the creative force.
On a philosophical level, the Kūn hexagram explores the wisdom of receptivity and yielding. True wisdom is not just active creation but also receptive acceptance. The Kūn hexagram reminds us that receptivity and yielding require devotion and perseverance, and through these qualities, we can achieve supreme success.
Analysis of the Judgment
“Kūn: Supreme success” indicates that receptivity and yielding lead to supreme success, emphasizing the power of acceptance and nurturing.
“Perseverance furthers” means that perseverance is beneficial, suggesting that receptivity and yielding require persistent devotion and patience.
“The superior man undertakes something and practices persistence” emphasizes the importance of initiative and persistence even in receptivity, suggesting a balance between action and acceptance.
“Going west and south, he finds friends. Going east and north, he loses friends” provides directional guidance, suggesting that certain directions or approaches are more favorable than others.
“Peaceful perseverance brings good fortune” concludes with the importance of calm and steady persistence, emphasizing that this approach leads to good fortune.
Overall, the judgment emphasizes that receptivity and yielding can lead to supreme success, but require perseverance, initiative, appropriate direction, and peaceful persistence, thus achieving true receptivity and nurturing.
Line Statements
Initial Six: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off.
- Symbolism: Hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice approaching
- Interpretation: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off
- Application: Suggests that in the initial stage of receptivity, there are early signs of what is to come, emphasizing the importance of awareness and preparation
Six in the Second Place: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered.
- Symbolism: Straight, square, great, without purpose yet furthering
- Interpretation: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered
- Application: Describes the qualities of pure receptivity: straightforward, balanced, and great in its simplicity, suggesting that even without deliberate purpose, receptivity naturally furthers all things
Six in the Third Place: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion.
- Symbolism: Hidden lines, able to persevere, serving king without seeking works
- Interpretation: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion
- Application: Emphasizes the hidden and supportive nature of receptivity, suggesting that in service or support roles, it is better to focus on completion rather than seeking recognition
Six in the Fourth Place: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
- Symbolism: Tied-up sack, no blame no praise
- Interpretation: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise
- Application: Describes a state of containment and neutrality in receptivity, suggesting that sometimes holding back and remaining neutral is appropriate, neither deserving blame nor praise
Six in the Fifth Place: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune.
- Symbolism: Yellow lower garment, supreme good fortune
- Interpretation: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune
- Application: Represents the height of receptive virtue, with yellow symbolizing the center and the earth, suggesting that at this stage, receptivity achieves its highest expression and brings supreme good fortune
Top Six: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
- Symbolism: Dragons fighting in meadow, blood black and yellow
- Interpretation: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow
- Application: Warns against the conflict that can arise when receptivity exceeds its proper domain and comes into conflict with creative forces, suggesting the need for balance between receptivity and creativity
Interpretation Guide Table
| Area | Key Points | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Career | Support team efforts, demonstrate reliability, maintain consistent performance, focus on service orientation | Auspicious |
| Wealth | Practice financial prudence, maintain stable investments, persevere through market fluctuations, focus on long-term security | Auspicious |
| Relationships | Show receptivity and support, maintain consistent presence, persevere through relationship challenges, focus on nurturing connections | Auspicious |
| Health | Follow balanced routines, maintain consistent habits, persevere through health challenges, focus on preventive care | Auspicious |
| Family | Provide nurturing support, maintain family stability, persevere through family challenges, focus on creating harmony | Auspicious |
| Education | Practice receptive learning, maintain consistent study habits, persevere through learning challenges, focus on practical application | Auspicious |
Hexagram Transformations
Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Kūn hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Qián hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Kūn hexagram
Najia and Five Elements
The Kūn hexagram consists of upper and lower trigrams both being Kūn, which belongs to earth. In the Najia system, the Kūn hexagram is assigned to the Kūn Palace Bǐng Wǔ.
In terms of Five Elements relationships, Kūn is earth, symbolizing receptivity and nurturing, and the Kūn hexagram with both upper and lower trigrams being Kūn represents doubled earth force, like intense receptivity and nurturing. This also echoes the theme of receptivity and yielding described in the Kūn hexagram, suggesting that receptivity and yielding are like earth’s nurturing and supporting qualities, capable of sustaining and nurturing all things.
Modern Application Examples
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Supportive Leadership: A team leader seeking to develop a more supportive leadership style receives the Kūn hexagram. This reminds them that supportive leadership requires receptivity and yielding (“Kūn: Supreme success”), as well as perseverance and patience (“Perseverance furthers”). “Initial Six: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off” suggests that in the initial stage of developing supportive leadership, they should be aware of early signs and patterns in team dynamics. “Six in the Second Place: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered” encourages them to embody straightforward, balanced, and great qualities in their receptivity, trusting that this approach naturally furthers team goals even without forceful direction. “Six in the Third Place: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion” emphasizes the behind-the-scenes nature of supportive leadership, suggesting that they should focus on helping the team complete projects rather than seeking personal recognition. “Six in the Fourth Place: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise” describes the neutrality sometimes required in supportive leadership, suggesting that at times they should hold back and remain neutral. “Six in the Fifth Place: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune” represents the height of supportive leadership, suggesting that when they fully embody receptive virtues, they will achieve the greatest success in leading their team. Overall, the Kūn hexagram advises them to develop supportive leadership through receptivity and yielding, awareness of team dynamics, straightforward and balanced approach, behind-the-scenes support, appropriate neutrality, and embodiment of receptive virtues, thus achieving effective and nurturing leadership.
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Learning Process: A student adopting a receptive approach to learning receives the Kūn hexagram. “Kūn: Supreme success” encourages them that a receptive learning approach can lead to great success. “Perseverance furthers” reminds them that receptive learning requires persistent devotion and patience. “The superior man undertakes something and practices persistence” emphasizes that even in receptive learning, they need to take initiative and persist in their studies. “Going west and south, he finds friends. Going east and north, he loses friends” suggests that certain learning approaches or subjects may be more favorable for them than others. “Initial Six: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off” suggests that in the initial stage of learning, they should pay attention to early signs of understanding or confusion, as these indicate deeper patterns. “Six in the Second Place: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered” encourages them to approach learning with straightforward openness and balance, trusting that this receptivity naturally furthers their understanding even without forcing it. “Six in the Third Place: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion” emphasizes the importance of persevering with the hidden aspects of learning, focusing on deep understanding rather than superficial achievements. “Six in the Fourth Place: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise” describes the periods of consolidation in learning, when knowledge is being integrated but not yet expressed. “Six in the Fifth Place: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune” represents the achievement of deep understanding through receptive learning, bringing supreme good fortune. Overall, the Kūn hexagram perfectly describes effective learning: awareness of patterns, open receptivity, perseverance with deep understanding, periods of integration, and achievement of wisdom. It advises them to approach learning with receptivity and perseverance, pay attention to patterns, maintain openness and balance, focus on deep understanding, allow for integration, and trust in the process, thus achieving educational success.
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Relationship Approach: A person seeking to improve their relationships receives the Kūn hexagram. “Kūn: Supreme success” directly points to the potential for great success through receptivity in relationships. “Perseverance furthers” emphasizes that nurturing relationships requires consistent effort over time. “The superior man undertakes something and practices persistence” suggests that even in receptive relationship roles, they need to take initiative and persist in maintaining connections. “Going west and south, he finds friends. Going east and north, he loses friends” may suggest that certain approaches or types of relationships will be more favorable for them than others. “Peaceful perseverance brings good fortune” emphasizes the importance of calm and steady persistence in relationships. “Initial Six: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off” warns them to pay attention to early signs of relationship patterns, as these indicate deeper trends. “Six in the Second Place: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered” encourages them to be straightforward, balanced, and open in relationships, trusting that this receptivity naturally furthers connections without manipulation. “Six in the Third Place: Hidden lines. One is able to remain persevering. If by chance you are in the service of a king, seek not works, but bring to completion” emphasizes the importance of behind-the-scenes support in relationships, focusing on nurturing connections rather than seeking recognition. “Six in the Fourth Place: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise” describes the times when they may need to contain their reactions and remain neutral in relationships. “Six in the Fifth Place: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune” represents the achievement of nurturing excellence in relationships, bringing supreme good fortune. “Top Six: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow” warns against the conflict that can arise when receptivity becomes doormat behavior or when there’s an imbalance between giving and receiving. Overall, the Kūn hexagram advises them to approach relationships with receptivity and perseverance, pay attention to patterns, be straightforward and balanced, provide behind-the-scenes support, know when to remain neutral, embody nurturing excellence, and maintain balance between receptivity and self-respect, thus achieving healthy and fulfilling relationships.
