Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Gèn (Mountain), Lower Trigram: Kǎn (Water)]

Upper Trigram: Gèn (Mountain) Lower Trigram: Kǎn (Water)

Judgment: Méng: Success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.

Symbolism: Inexperience, learning, guidance, enlightenment

Meaning of the Hexagram

The Méng hexagram symbolizes youthful folly and the process of learning. The character “Méng” represents inexperience, ignorance, and the potential for growth through education. This hexagram is composed of the lower trigram Kǎn (Water) and the upper trigram Gèn (Mountain), symbolizing water at the foot of a mountain, like a spring of youth and inexperience that needs guidance to flow properly.

On a philosophical level, the Méng hexagram explores the wisdom of teaching and learning. True wisdom is not just possessing knowledge but understanding how to transmit it effectively to those who lack experience. The Méng hexagram reminds us that teaching requires patience and appropriate methods, while learning requires receptivity and perseverance.

Analysis of the Judgment

“Méng: Success” indicates that despite inexperience, success is possible, emphasizing the potential for growth and development through proper learning.

“It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me” establishes the proper relationship between teacher and student, suggesting that effective learning occurs when the student actively seeks knowledge rather than having it imposed.

“At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information” outlines the proper teaching method, suggesting that information should be given when genuinely sought, but withheld when requested out of mere impatience or disrespect for the learning process.

“Perseverance furthers” emphasizes that consistent effort in both teaching and learning leads to progress, suggesting that education is a long-term process requiring dedication.

Overall, the judgment emphasizes that inexperience can be overcome through proper teaching and learning relationships, appropriate educational methods, and perseverance, thus transforming youthful folly into wisdom.

Line Statements

Initial Six: To dispel ignorance it furthers one to punish people. To remove shackles furthers one to go on. Going on in this way brings humiliation.

• Symbolism: Punishing to dispel ignorance, removing shackles to go on
• Interpretation: To dispel ignorance it furthers one to punish people. To remove shackles furthers one to go on. Going on in this way brings humiliation
• Application: Suggests that in the initial stage of learning, discipline and structure are necessary to overcome ignorance, but excessive freedom without proper guidance can lead to mistakes and humiliation

Nine in the Second Place: To show forbearance to the ignorant furthers. To take a girl to wife furthers. A son is able to manage the household.

• Symbolism: Forbearance to ignorant, taking girl to wife, son managing household
• Interpretation: To show forbearance to the ignorant furthers. To take a girl to wife furthers. A son is able to manage the household
• Application: Emphasizes the importance of patience and tolerance in teaching the inexperienced, using the metaphor of marriage and family to suggest that proper guidance allows the inexperienced to develop responsibility and capability

Six in the Third Place: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers.

• Symbolism: Maiden losing self-possession seeing bronze man, nothing furthers
• Interpretation: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze, loses possession of herself. Nothing furthers
• Application: Warns against being overly impressed by superficial qualities or external appearances in the learning process, suggesting that such an approach leads nowhere

Six in the Fourth Place: Entangled folly brings humiliation.

• Symbolism: Entangled folly brings humiliation
• Interpretation: Entangled folly brings humiliation
• Application: Describes the state of persistent ignorance and confusion, suggesting that failing to address one’s lack of knowledge leads to embarrassment and difficulty

Six in the Fifth Place: Childlike folly brings good fortune.

• Symbolism: Childlike folly brings good fortune
• Interpretation: Childlike folly brings good fortune
• Application: Highlights the positive aspect of inexperience—the childlike openness and innocence that allows for genuine learning and growth, suggesting that this approach brings good fortune

Top Nine: In punishing folly it furthers one to enforce the law, but not to persist in this. Persistence brings humiliation.

• Symbolism: Punishing folly enforcing law without persistence
• Interpretation: In punishing folly it furthers one to enforce the law, but not to persist in this. Persistence brings humiliation
• Application: Suggests that while discipline is necessary to correct ignorance, excessive or prolonged punishment is counterproductive, emphasizing the need for balance between structure and freedom in education

Interpretation Guide Table

Hexagram Transformations

Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Sòng hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Zhūn hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Xián hexagram

Najia and Five Elements

The Méng hexagram has the upper trigram Gèn which belongs to earth, and the lower trigram Kǎn which belongs to water. In the Najia system, Gèn trigram is assigned to Gèn Palace Gēng Shēn, and Kǎn trigram is assigned to Kǎn Palace Rén Zǐ.

In terms of Five Elements relationships, the lower trigram Kǎn is water, and the upper trigram Gèn is earth. Earth controls water, symbolizing containment and guidance (earth’s containment of water). This also echoes the theme of youthful folly described in the Méng hexagram, suggesting that inexperience and raw potential (water) need structure and guidance (earth) to be properly channeled and developed, like a mountain containing a spring.

Modern Application Examples

1. Educational Approach: A teacher developing an educational approach for inexperienced students receives the Méng hexagram. This reminds them that despite students’ inexperience, success in education is possible (“Méng: Success”). “It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me” emphasizes that effective teaching occurs when students are motivated to learn rather than having knowledge forced upon them. “At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information” outlines a teaching method that respects the learning process—information should be given when genuinely sought, but withheld when requested out of mere impatience or disrespect. “Initial Six: To dispel ignorance it furthers one to punish people…” suggests that in the early stages of education, structure and discipline are necessary, but excessive freedom without guidance leads to mistakes. “Nine in the Second Place: To show forbearance to the ignorant furthers…” emphasizes the importance of patience and tolerance in teaching, suggesting that proper guidance allows students to develop responsibility. “Six in the Third Place: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze…” warns against educational approaches that emphasize superficial knowledge or mere appearances rather than deep understanding. “Six in the Fourth Place: Entangled folly brings humiliation” describes the consequences of persistent ignorance, emphasizing the importance of addressing knowledge gaps. “Six in the Fifth Place: Childlike folly brings good fortune” highlights the value of maintaining childlike curiosity and openness in learning. “Top Nine: In punishing folly it furthers one to enforce the law, but not to persist in this…” suggests that while structure is necessary in education, excessive or prolonged rigidity is counterproductive. Overall, the Méng hexagram advises them to develop an educational approach that respects students’ motivation, provides appropriate information, balances structure with freedom, exercises patience, emphasizes deep understanding, addresses knowledge gaps, encourages curiosity, and avoids excessive rigidity, thus effectively transforming inexperience into wisdom.

2. Skill Development: A person beginning to develop a new professional skill receives the Méng hexagram. “Méng: Success” encourages them that despite their inexperience, they can succeed in developing this skill. “It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me” suggests that effective skill development occurs when they actively seek knowledge rather than having it imposed. “At the first oracle I inform him…” reminds them to respect the learning process and not expect all information at once. “Perseverance furthers” emphasizes that consistent effort in learning leads to progress. “Initial Six: To dispel ignorance it furthers one to punish people…” suggests that in the early stages of skill development, discipline and structured practice are necessary, but rushing ahead without proper foundation leads to mistakes. “Nine in the Second Place: To show forbearance to the ignorant furthers…” emphasizes the importance of patience with oneself during the learning process, suggesting that self-compassion allows for better skill development. “Six in the Third Place: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze…” warns against being overly impressed by flashy techniques or shortcuts in skill development, suggesting that such approaches lack substance. “Six in the Fourth Place: Entangled folly brings humiliation” describes the consequences of persistent gaps in knowledge or practice, emphasizing the importance of thorough learning. “Six in the Fifth Place: Childlike folly brings good fortune” highlights the value of maintaining beginner’s mind and openness in skill development. “Top Nine: In punishing folly it furthers one to enforce the law, but not to persist in this…” suggests that while self-discipline is necessary in skill development, excessive self-criticism is counterproductive. Overall, the Méng hexagram perfectly describes effective skill development: active seeking of knowledge, respect for the learning process, consistent effort, structured practice, self-compassion, focus on fundamentals rather than shortcuts, thorough learning, beginner’s mind, and balanced self-discipline. It advises them to approach skill development with these principles, thus effectively transforming inexperience into mastery.

3. New Leadership Role: A person recently promoted to their first leadership position receives the Méng hexagram. “Méng: Success” directly points to the potential for success despite their inexperience as a leader. “It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me” suggests that effective leadership development occurs when they actively seek mentorship and knowledge rather than presuming they already know everything. “At the first oracle I inform him…” reminds them to respect the learning process of leadership and not expect to master everything immediately. “Perseverance furthers” emphasizes that consistent effort in developing leadership skills leads to progress. “Initial Six: To dispel ignorance it furthers one to punish people…” suggests that in the early stages of leadership, establishing structure and expectations is necessary, but excessive freedom without guidance for their team leads to problems. “Nine in the Second Place: To show forbearance to the ignorant furthers…” emphasizes the importance of patience both with themselves and with their team members during the learning process. “Six in the Third Place: Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze…” warns against being overly impressed by charismatic but substance-less leadership styles or quick-fix management techniques. “Six in the Fourth Place: Entangled folly brings humiliation” describes the consequences of persistent ignorance about leadership principles, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning. “Six in the Fifth Place: Childlike folly brings good fortune” highlights the value of maintaining humility, curiosity, and openness as a leader. “Top Nine: In punishing folly it furthers one to enforce the law, but not to persist in this…” suggests that while establishing consequences is sometimes necessary in leadership, excessive or prolonged punishment is counterproductive. Overall, the Méng hexagram advises them to approach their new leadership role by actively seeking mentorship, respecting the learning process, maintaining consistent effort, establishing appropriate structure, exercising patience, avoiding superficial leadership styles, committing to continuous learning, maintaining humility and curiosity, and balancing accountability with forgiveness, thus effectively transforming leadership inexperience into wisdom.