Ji Ji 水火旣濟
A time when something is already achieved
You have achieved a stage, but if you relax it can crumble. Keep checking through the finish.
What does I Ching hexagram 63 (After Completion) mean?
Water and fire each in place, already accomplished. If you relax after finishing, things wobble, so stay careful to the very end.
- After Completion in love
- The relationship is stable. Don’t get complacent; keep tending it.
- After Completion at work and with money
- The work has been accomplished, so mind the wrap-up and upkeep.
- Advice
- Right after completion is the time to be most careful.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · After Completion
Very auspicious“Success in small matters. It is fitting to persevere. Good fortune at first, disorder at the end.”
The Image: Water above fire: after completion. The noble person thinks ahead about misfortune and guards against it.
原文 · 亨小。利貞。初吉終亂。 / 水在火上，既濟；君子以思患而豫防之。
The six lines of hexagram 63
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“Dragging the wheels, soaking the tail; no blame.”
Slow down. A careful, restrained start is best.
原文 · 曳其輪，濡其尾，无咎。
Line 2 · 六二
Neutral“The woman loses her carriage curtain; don’t chase it; in seven days she gets it back.”
A loss that will return in time. Don’t force it.
原文 · 婦喪其茀，勿逐，七日得。
Line 3 · 九三
Neutral“The Emperor Gaozong attacks the Demon Country and subdues it in three years; do not use petty people.”
A tough, long job. Don’t put small-minded people on it.
原文 · 高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。
Line 4 · 六四
Neutral“The silk robe has rags in it; be on guard all day.”
The finest things can fail. Stay cautious even in good times.
原文 · 繻有衣袽，終日戒。
Line 5 · 九五
Neutral“The eastern neighbor slaughters an ox; it is not as good as the western neighbor’s simple offering, which truly receives blessing.”
Sincerity matters more than splendor.
原文 · 東鄰殺牛，不如西鄰之禴祭，實受其福。
Line 6 · 上六
Caution“Soaking the head: danger.”
Overconfidence at the very end. Great danger.
原文 · 濡其首，厲。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 64. Wei Ji (Before Completion)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 64. Wei Ji (Before Completion)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.