above TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE below K’AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
The lake is above, water below; the lake is empty, dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light line; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus everywhere superior one’s are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior people..
THE JUDGMENT
OPPRESSION. Success. Perseverance. The great one brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, It is not believed.
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they; befall the right person. When one is strong and meets with adversity, one remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. One who lets one’s spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. But if adversity only bends one, it creates in one a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior one is capable of this. Only the great one brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied one, because one’s words have no effect. Therefore in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and sparing of words.
THE IMAGE
There is not water in the lake: The image of EXHAUSTION. Thus the superior one stakes one’s life On following one’s will.
When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing one can do but acquiesce in one’s fate and remain true to oneself. This concerns the deepest stratum of one’s being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: One sits oppressed under a bare tree And strays into a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing.
When adversity befalls one, it is important above all things for one to be strong and to overcome the trouble inwardly. If one is weak, the trouble overwhelms one. Instead of proceeding on one’s way, one remains sitting under a bare tree and falls ever more deeply into gloom and melancholy. this makes the situation only more and more hopeless. Such an attitude comes from an inner delusion that one must by all means overcome.
° Nine in the second place means: One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The one with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame.
This pictures a state of inner oppression. Externally, all is well, one has meat and drink. But one is exhausted by the commonplaces of life, and there seems to be no way of escape. Then help comes from a high place. A prince — in ancient China princes wore scarlet knee bands– is in search of able helpers. But there are still obstructions to be overcome. Therefore it is important to meet these obstructions in the visible realm by offerings and prayer. To set forth without being prepared would be disastrous, though not morally wrong. Here a disagreeable situation must be overcome by patience of spirit.
Six in the third place means: One permits oneself to be oppressed by stones, And leans on thorns and thistles. One enters the house and does not see one’s spouse. Misfortune.
This shows one who is restless and indecisive in times of adversity. At first one wants to push ahead, then one encounters obstructions that, it is true, mean oppression only when recklessly dealt with. One butts one’s head against a wall and in consequence feels oneself oppressed by the wall. Then one leans on things that have in themselves no stability and that are merely a hazard for one who leans on them. Thereupon one turns back irresolutely and retires into one’s house, only to find, as a fresh disappointment, that one’s spouse is not there.
Confucius says about this line: If one permits oneself to be oppressed by something that ought not to oppress one, one’s name will certainly be disgraced. If one leans on things upon which one cannot lean, one’s life will certainly be endangered. For one who is in disgrace and danger, the hour of death draws near; how can one then still see one’s spouse?
Nine in the fourth place means: One comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached.
A well-to-do person sees the need of the lower classes and would like very much to be of help. But instead of proceeding with speed and energy where there is need, one begins in a hesitant and measured way. Then one encounters obstructions. Powerful and wealthy acquaintances draw one into their circle; one has to do as they do and cannot withdraw from them. Hence one finds oneself in great embarrassment. But the trouble is transitory. The original strength of one’s nature offsets the mistake one has made, and the goal is reached.
° Nine in the fifth place means: One’s nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the one with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from above and below (this is the meaning of the cutting off of nose and defeat).One finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of rescue (ministers wore purple knee bands). But little by little, things take a turn for the better. Until that time, one should turn to God, firm in one’s inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being.
Six at the top means: One is oppressed by creeping vines. One moves uncertainly and says, “Movement brings remorse.” If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, Good fortune comes.
One is oppressed by bonds that can easily be broken. The distress is drawing to an end. But one is still irresolute; one is still influenced by the previous condition and fears that one may have cause for regret if one makes a move. But as soon as one grasps the situation, changes this mental attitude, and makes a firm decision, one masters the oppression.
