Kun 坤爲地
A time to support and wait
Rather than stepping to the front, back others up and wait for the moment. The one who holds space ends up gaining.
What does I Ching hexagram 2 (The Receptive) mean?
Earth carrying everything: yielding, supportive and inclusive. This is a time to back others up and wait for the right moment rather than to lead.
- The Receptive in love
- Patience and openness help a bond grow.
- The Receptive at work and with money
- Results come from cooperation and support, not from grabbing the lead.
- Advice
- Staying behind the scenes and holding things steady is the lucky move.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · The Receptive
Auspicious“Great beginnings and success; it is fitting to hold to the steadiness of a mare.”
The Image: The earth’s nature is to receive; in the same way the noble person carries all things with deep virtue.
原文 · 元亨。利牝馬之貞。 / 地勢坤，君子以厚德載物。
The six lines of hexagram 2
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 · 初六
Neutral“Treading on frost, solid ice is coming.”
A small sign now points to something bigger. Notice the early signs and prepare.
原文 · 履霜，堅冰至。
Line 2 · 六二
Auspicious“Straight, square and great; without practice, nothing fails to benefit.”
Honest, steady character works without tricks. Trust your natural way of doing things.
原文 · 直方大，不習无不利。
Line 3 · 六三
Neutral“Holding beauty within, one can persevere. If serving a king, no credit but a good end.”
Keep your talents quietly and work without seeking praise. The result comes in the end.
原文 · 含章，可貞。或從王事，无成有終。
Line 4 · 六四
No blame“A tied-up bag: no blame, no praise.”
Keep your mouth shut and stay out of the way. Safe, but unrewarded.
原文 · 括囊，无咎无譽。
Line 5 · 六五
Very auspicious“A yellow lower garment: supreme good fortune.”
Humble, balanced dignity wins the highest luck. Wear your power gracefully.
原文 · 黃裳，元吉。
Line 6 · 上六
Neutral“Dragons fight in the wilds; their blood is dark and yellow.”
Yielding turns into a clash when pushed too far. Conflict at the top hurts everyone.
原文 · 龍戰于野，其血玄黃。
All lines changing · 用六
No blame“Fitting to persevere for the long term.”
When every line changes, long-term steadiness is what pays.
原文 · 利永貞。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 1. Qian (The Creative)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.