Kun 澤水困
A time of exhaustion and frustration
It is hard and words aren’t getting through. Closing your mouth and enduring beats making excuses.
What does I Ching hexagram 47 (Oppression) mean?
A lake with no water: exhaustion. A hard period, but speaking little and keeping your will leads through in the end.
- Oppression in love
- Even in hardship, keeping your sincerity keeps the bond.
- Oppression at work and with money
- Resources are short, so endure with action rather than words.
- Advice
- The harder things get, the firmer your will and the fewer your words.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Oppression
Very auspicious“Success. For the great person, perseverance brings good fortune and no blame. When he speaks, he is not believed.”
The Image: A lake without water: oppression. The noble person stakes his life to achieve his will.
原文 · 亨，貞大人吉，无咎，有言不信。 / 澤无水，困；君子以致命遂志。
The six lines of hexagram 47
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“Sitting oppressed under a bare tree, entering a dark valley; for three years he sees nothing.”
You’re stuck in a dark place for a long time. Hold on.
原文 · 臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三歲不覿。
Line 2 · 九二
Caution“Oppressed with wine and food; the red knee-covers are coming; it is fitting to offer sacrifices. Going forward brings misfortune; no blame.”
Even in comfort you’re stuck. Use the time to center yourself, and don’t rush out.
原文 · 困于酒食，朱紱方來，利用亨祀，征凶，无咎。
Line 3 · 六三
Misfortune“Oppressed by stone, relying on thorns; entering his house, he does not see his wife: misfortune.”
You’re hemmed in on every side and lose your support. Very hard.
原文 · 困于石，據于蒺蔾，入于其宮，不見其妻，凶。
Line 4 · 九四
Caution“He comes slowly, oppressed in a golden carriage; humiliation, but a good end.”
Progress is slow and embarrassing, but you do get there.
原文 · 來荼荼，困于金轝，吝，有終。
Line 5 · 九五
No blame“Nose and feet cut off, oppressed by the red knee-covers; then slowly there is joy; it is fitting to offer sacrifices.”
You’re cut off from above and below, but slowly a way opens.
原文 · 劓刖，困于赤紱，乃徐有說，利用祭祀。
Line 6 · 上六
No blame“Oppressed by creepers, tottering; if he says “moving brings regret,” then he repents; going forward brings good fortune.”
You are tangled up and unsteady. Admit it and move on anyway.
原文 · 困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 22. Bi (Grace)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 48. Jing (The Well)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.