Wu Wang 天雷无妄
A time to go without pretense
Going purely, in step with nature, is best. Scheming and greed will only tangle things.
What does I Ching hexagram 25 (Innocence) mean?
Following nature’s way without falsehood. Plain truth is lucky, while greed invites trouble.
- Innocence in love
- A natural, honest attitude protects the bond.
- Innocence at work and with money
- Honest, natural conduct pays; don’t count on luck.
- Advice
- Don’t expect rewards; just do the right thing rightly.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Innocence
Neutral“Great success; it is fitting to persevere. If one is not on the right path, there is misfortune and it is not fitting to undertake anything.”
The Image: Thunder moves beneath heaven, and all things are given their innocence. The ancient kings, in harmony with the seasons, nourished all things.
原文 · 元亨。利貞。其匪正有眚，不利有攸往。 / 天下雷行，物與无妄；先王以茂對時，育萬物。
The six lines of hexagram 25
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
Auspicious“Innocence: going forward brings good fortune.”
Acting without scheming leads to good luck.
原文 · 无妄，往吉。
Line 2 · 六二
No blame“Not plowing but harvesting, not clearing new fields but using cultivated ones: it is fitting to undertake something.”
Don’t chase the reward. Do the work for its own sake and benefit follows.
原文 · 不耕穫，不菑畬，則利有攸往。
Line 3 · 六三
Neutral“Unexpected misfortune: a cow tied up, and the passer-by takes it while the townspeople suffer the loss.”
A random blow falls, through no fault of your own. Accept it calmly.
原文 · 无妄之災，或繫之牛，行人之得，邑人之災。
Line 4 · 九四
No blame“One can persevere; no blame.”
Stay true to yourself and you’re safe.
原文 · 可貞，无咎。
Line 5 · 九五
Neutral“Unexpected illness: don’t take medicine, and there is joy.”
Something small and random will pass by itself. Don’t overreact.
原文 · 无妄之疾，勿藥有喜。
Line 6 · 上九
Caution“Innocence, but going on brings error; nothing is favorable.”
Acting now is a mistake. Stay still.
原文 · 无妄，行有眚，无攸利。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 46. Sheng (Pushing Upward)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 26. Da Chu (Great Taming)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.