I Ching 48 Hexagram jǐng (Welling)
I Ching 48 Hexagram jǐng (Welling)
Keywords
Resources. Source. Source.
Short Interpretation of Hexagram 48 – The Well
What you are trying to do is within your reach. Quench your thirst at the source of life. Whether it’s spiritual or intellectual, it doesn’t matter.
I Ching – General Description
Below is the wood above the water. The wood descends into the earth to carry up the water. It is the image of the ancient Chinese rocker well. Under wood the buckets are not meant at all, which in ancient times were made of clay, but the wooden pole whose motion extracts water from the well. The image also hints at the world of plants, which cause water to rise from the earth into their lymphatic vessels. The well from which the water is drawn also contains the idea of the inexhaustible supply of food.
I Ching – Comment on sentence
The well. Change the city as well, But the well cannot be changed. It does not drop and it does not grow. They come and go and draw from the well. If you have almost reached the water of the well, But you are not yet well down with the rope, Or if you break the jug, it brings misfortune.
In ancient China, capitals were sometimes moved, partly for reasons of a more favorable site, partly for a change of dynasty. The architectural style changed over the centuries, but the shape of the well remained the same from the earliest times until today. Thus the well is an image of the social organization of humanity concerning the most primitive necessities of life, which are independent of any political formation. Political formations, nations change, but man’s life with its demands remains the same. In this, nothing can be changed. However, this life is also inexhaustible. It neither falls nor grows and is for everyone. The bloodlines come and go, and they all enjoy life in its inexhaustible copy.However, two things are required for a good state or social organization of humanity. We must go down to the foundations of life. Any superficiality in its ordering, which leaves the deepest vital needs unsatisfied, is just as imperfect as if no attempt had been made at ordering. Equally harmful is a neglect that allows the pitcher to break. For example, when the military protection of a state is exaggerated to the point of causing wars, which in turn ruin the power of the state, this is breaking the pitcher. Even for the single individual, the sign comes into consideration. However different the talents and culture of men are, human nature in its foundations is the same in everyone.And everyone can, by cultivating himself, tap into the inexhaustible source of the divine nature of the human essence.
I Ching – Image
Above the wood there is water: The image of the well. Thus the noble animates the people And exhorts men to help themselves
Below is the sign Sunn, wood, above this the sign Kkann, water. The wood absorbs the water upwards. As the wood as an organism imitates the activity of the well for the benefit of every part of the plant, so the nobleman orders human society so that its parts become entangled like those of a vegetable organism for the good of the whole.
I Ching – Series
He who is harassed above certainly turns downward. For this he follows the sign: the Well.
I Ching – Single Lines
Analytical description of each individual line
I Ching – First line:
Six at the beginning means:
The mud from the well is not drunk. Animals don’t go to an old well.
If anyone wanders through the marshy lowlands, his life plunges into mud. Such a man loses his importance for humanity. To him who throws himself away, the others no longer come near. Finally, no one cares about him anymore.
I Ching – Second line:
Nine in the second place means:
In the mouth of the well fish are caught. The jug is cracked and runny.
The water itself is clear, but it is not used. Thus only fish dwell in the well, and whoever comes does so only to catch fish; but the pitcher is broken so that the fish cannot be kept there. A situation is depicted in which there is someone who per se would have relatives; but these are neglected. Nobody cares about him. Thus he degenerates inwardly. He is busy with ignoble men and is no longer capable of doing anything good.
I Ching – Third line:
Nine in the third place means:
The well is cleaned, but the water is not drunk. This is what grieves me; As it could be tapped. If the king were clear, He would enjoy happiness together.
There is a capable man here. He resembles a cleared well whose water could be drunk. But it is not used. This is the pain of men who know it. There is a desire for the prince to find out; this would then be a happiness for all present.
I Ching – Fourth line:
Six in the fourth place means:
The interior of the well is lined with stone. No stains.
In the meantime, when the well is covered with stone, it cannot be used, it is true, but the work is not in vain: it has the effect of keeping the water clear. So also in life there are times when you have to put yourself in order. During this time you can not do anything for others, in fact, but this time is nevertheless precious, because by cultivating internally you increase your strengths and abilities, so that later you work a lot more.
I Ching – Fifth line:
Nine in the fifth place means:
In the well there is a clear and fresh spring From which one can drink.
A good well is one that contains a spring of living water at its bottom. A man who possesses virtue is born to be the savior and guide of men. He owns the water of life. Yet the sign is missing: health. When it comes to the well, it all depends on drawing water. The best water to refresh humanity is only present as a possibility until it is brought up. Thus also among those who guide humanity everything depends on drinking from their source, translating their words into life.
I Ching – Sixth line:
Six above means:
One draws from the well without hindrance. It is trusted. Sublime health!
The well is here for everyone. No prohibition prevents those who draw on it. But as far as they come, they find everything they need; as the well is reliable. It has a source and does not wither; therefore it represents great health for the whole district: thus the truly great man, inexhaustibly rich in interior good. The greater the number of men who draw on him, the greater his wealth becomes.
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