I Ching Hexagram 2 - Earth
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 10 "Earth"
坤 - Kūn
Thuần Khôn
Earth
Upper Trigram: ☷ Kūn, Earth
Lower Trigram: ☷ Kūn, Earth
Other Titles: The Magnetic, The Receptive, The Symbol of Earth, Submission, The Passive Principle, Field, The Flow, Responsive Service, Yin
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: The Receptive brings about sublime success, furthering through the perseverance of a mare. If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead, he goes astray; but if he follows, he finds guidance. It is favorable to find friends in the west and south, to forgo friends in the east and north. Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
Legge: The Magnetic means success through the docility of a mare. If the superior man takes the initiative, he goes astray, but if he follows, he finds his proper lord. It is advantageous to find one's friends in the southwest, and to lose them in the northeast. Through a passively firm correctness, there will be good fortune.
Blofeld: The Passive Principle. Sublime success! Its omen is a mare, symbolizing advantage. The Superior Man has an objective and sets forth to gain it. At first he goes astray, but later finds his bearings. It is advantageous to gain friends in the west and the south, but friends in the east and the north will be lost to us. Peaceful and righteous persistence brings good fortune
Liu: The Receptive: great success. Benefiting from the quality of a mare -- perseverance. The superior man has an undertaking; in the beginning he will go astray, but later will receive guidance. He can find a friend in the southwest and lose friends in the northeast. Peacefulness and continuance. Good fortune
Shaughnessy: The Flow: Prime receipt; beneficial for the determination of a mare; the gentleman has someplace to go, is first lost but later gains his ruler; beneficial to the southwest to gain a friend, to the northeast to lose a friend; contented determination is auspicious.
Cleary: With earth, creativity and development are achieved in the faithfulness of the female horse. The superior person has somewhere to go. Taking the lead, one goes astray; following, one finds the master. It is beneficial to gain companionship in the southwest and lose companionship in the northeast. Stability in rectitude is good.
Wu: The Bearer is primordial, pervasive, prosperous, and has the perseverance of a mare. When the jun zi is going to undertake a task, he will lose his direction if he leads, and he will find guidance if he follows. This will be advantageous. If he goes south or west, he will win friends; if he goes north or east, he will lose them. If he can be content and single-hearted, he will have good fortune.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: The earth's condition is receptive devotion. Thus the superior man who has breadth of character carries the outer world.
Legge: The capacity and sustaining power of the Earth is shown in The Magnetic. The superior man supports men and things with his large virtue.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes the passivity of the terrestrial forces. The Superior Man displays the highest virtue by embracing all things.
Liu: The earth's condition is that of the Receptive. The superior man has the greatness of character to bear with everything in the world.
Cleary(1): The configuration of earth is receptive; superior people support
others with warmth.
Cleary(2): The attitude of earth is receptivity. Thus do leaders support people with rich virtue.
Wu: The Bearer symbolizes the physical features and resources of the earth. Thus the jun zi uses his immense virtue to bear his responsibilities.
Line 1
初 六: 履 霜, 堅 冰 至
Wilhelm/Baynes: When there is hoarfrost underfoot, solid ice is not far off.
Legge: In the first line, magnetic, we see its subject treading on hoar frost. The strong ice will come by and by.
Blofeld: Hoarfrost underfoot betokens the coming of solid ice.
Liu: When hoarfrost is underfoot, solid ice will soon come.
Shaughnessy: Treading on frost: the firm ice will arrive.
Cleary: Walking on frost: Hard ice arrives.
Wu: Treading on hoarfrost signals the arrival of solid ice.
Line 2
六 二: 直 方 大, 不 習 无 不 利
Wilhelm/Baynes: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, yet nothing remains unfurthered.
Legge: The second line, magnetic, shows the attribute of being straight, square, and great. Its operation, without repeated efforts, will be in every respect advantageous.
Blofeld: Straight and of broad capacity, though we do nothing, all our affairs prosper.
Liu: Straight, square, great -- without study. Everything benefits.
Shaughnessy: Straight, square and great; not repeated; there is nothing not beneficial.
Cleary (1): Straightforward, correct, great. Unfailing achievement without practice.
Cleary (2): Upright, straight, great; unfailing benefit without practice.
Wu: True, methodical, and great. There will always be advantages for doing what comes naturally.
Line 3
六 三: 含 章 可 貞, 或 從 王 事, 无 成 有 終
Wilhelm/Baynes: 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.
Legge: The third line, magnetic, shows its subject keeping her excellence under restraint, but firmly maintaining it. If she should have occasion to engage in the king's service, though she will not claim the success for herself, she will bring affairs to a good issue.
Blofeld: Concealment of talent (or beauty) constitutes the right course. As to the undertaking of public affairs, though immediate success may not be achieved, their ultimate fruition is assured.
Liu: Hide your ability and you can continue in your position. If in public office, do not show yourself, but complete the work.
Shaughnessy: Enclosing a pattern; it is permissible to determine. Someone follows the king's service; there is no completion, there is an end.
Cleary (1): Hiding one’s excellence, one can be correct: if one works in government, there is completion without fabrication.
Cleary (2): Hiding embellishments, affirming rectitude, if one works for the government, there will be no accomplishment, but there will be a conclusion.
Wu: Being able to contain splendors is worthy of persevering. If he chooses to enter into public service, he may be successful in his work, but does not expect recognition for his success.
Line 4
六 四: 括 囊, 无 咎, 无 譽
Wilhelm/Baynes: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows the symbol of a sack tied up. There will be no ground for blame or praise.
Blofeld: Taciturnity -- no blame, no praise.
Liu: The sack is tied up. No recognition, no blame.
Shaughnessy: Tying the sack; there is no trouble, there is no praise.
Cleary: Closing the bag – no blame, no praise.
Wu: Tying up a pouch is without blame or praise.
Line 5
六 五: 黄 裳, 元 吉
Wilhelm/Baynes: A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune.
Legge: The fifth line, magnetic, shows the yellow lower garment. There will be great good fortune.
Blofeld: A yellow jacket -- sublime good fortune. [Yellow has always been an exalted color in China, where its use for garments was long restricted to the Imperial Family. Here it clearly symbolizes virtue.]
Liu: A yellow lower garment means sublime good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Yellow skirts; prime auspiciousness.
Cleary(1): A yellow garment is very auspicious.
Cleary(2): Yellow lower garment, great good outlook.
Wu: The yellow lower garment will bring great fortune.
Line 6
Legge: The sixth line, magnetic, shows dragons fighting in the wild. Their blood is purple and yellow.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.
Blofeld: Dragons contending in the wilderness shed black and yellow blood.
Liu: Dragons fight in the wilderness. The blood is black and yellow.
Shaughnessy: The dragon fights in the wilds: its blood is black and yellow.
Cleary: Dragons battle in the field; the blood is dark yellow.
Wu: Dragons are fighting in the wild; their blood is bluish yellow.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 2 in the I Ching is called "Kūn" or "The Receptive." It consists of six yin lines, representing a receptive, yielding, and nurturing energy.
The hexagram symbolizes the Earth, and it represents the purest form of Yin energy. It also means “mother.” Earth embodies the attributes of femininity and motherhood. Kun also refers to passive rather than active, and dark as opposed to light.
This hexagram favors those who are in supporting roles; it portrays the role of a follower rather than a leader.
You are in the early stages of a new condition that needs to be carefully nurtured in order to bloom. It is not a time to push forward without consultation. If you can develop a clear idea of your position, you have the potential to achieve great success.