Lu 天澤履
A time to tread carefully
It may be a risky road, but courtesy and caution carry you through safely.
What does I Ching hexagram 10 (Treading) mean?
Stepping on the tail of a tiger and not being bitten. A precarious path that must be walked with courtesy and caution.
- Treading in love
- Keep your manners and approach gently and the relationship stays safe.
- Treading at work and with money
- Even a risky task goes safely when handled with care.
- Advice
- Walk one step at a time, with courtesy and restraint.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Treading
No blame“Treading on the tail of the tiger, which does not bite: success.”
The Image: Heaven above and lake below: treading. The noble person distinguishes high and low and sets the people’s resolve.
原文 · 履虎尾，不咥人，亨。 / 上天下澤，履；君子以辨上下，定民志。
The six lines of hexagram 10
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初九
No blame“Treading simply; going forward brings no blame.”
Walk straightforwardly, as you are. Keeping it simple is safe.
原文 · 素履，往无咎。
Line 2 · 九二
Auspicious“Treading a smooth, level road; a quiet person’s perseverance brings good fortune.”
A calm, steady path. If you are content and don’t push, good things come.
原文 · 履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。
Line 3 · 六三
Misfortune“A one-eyed man can see and a lame man can walk, yet he treads on the tiger’s tail and is bitten: misfortune. A warrior acts for a great ruler.”
Overestimating yourself is dangerous. Don’t take on risks beyond your ability.
原文 · 眇能視，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人為于大君。
Line 4 · 九四
Auspicious“Treading on the tiger’s tail with great caution: in the end, good fortune.”
A very dangerous position, but caution carries you through.
原文 · 履虎尾，愬愬終吉。
Line 5 · 九五
Caution“Treading with resolution; persistence is dangerous.”
Decisive action is fine, but too much certainty is risky. Keep watch.
原文 · 夬履，貞厲。
Line 6 · 上九
Very auspicious“Look back over the path and examine the omens; turning around brings supreme good fortune.”
Reviewing how you have walked and finishing well is the best outcome.
原文 · 視履考詳，其旋元吉。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 15. Qian (Modesty)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 9. Xiao Xu (Small Taming)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.