Hexagram 48 · 井

Water stands above wood, suggesting a wooden vessel drawing water upward. The source remains while people come and go. Jing means the well, a dependable center of nourishment. Its image concerns both lasting value and the practical means needed to bring that value within reach.

1. Line 1 · 初六

   井泥不食，舊井无禽。

   The well is muddy and cannot be drunk from. An old well attracts no creatures.

   Six in the first place is yin at the neglected bottom of the source. The Small Image describes abandonment, like an outdated knowledge folder that colleagues have stopped consulting because it no longer gives usable information.

2. Line 2 · 九二

   井谷射鮒，瓮敝漏。

   In the well's hollow one shoots at small fish. The jar is worn and leaks.

   Nine in the second place is central yang whose useful capacity lacks a responding partner. The Small Image notes that missing connection, like valuable knowledge remaining trapped because the tools for sharing it are inadequate.

3. Line 3 · 九三

   井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。

   The well is cleared, but no one drinks. This grieves my heart. It can be drawn from. If the king is clear-sighted, all receive its blessing.

   Nine in the third place is yang with usable value awaiting recognition. The Small Image seeks discerning leadership, like a well-prepared training resource becoming useful once a manager makes time for staff to use it.

4. Line 4 · 六四

   井甃，无咎。

   The well is lined with masonry. No blame.

   Six in the fourth place is fitting yin engaged in necessary maintenance. The Small Image explicitly calls it repair, like pausing access to a shared system while its structure is made dependable.

5. Line 5 · 九五

   井洌，寒泉食。

   The well is clear. Its cold spring water is drunk.

   Nine in the fifth place is central and correct yang making nourishment available. The Small Image credits that balance, like a trustworthy expert giving clear guidance people can actually apply.

6. Line 6 · 上六

   井收勿幕，有孚元吉。

   The well is drawn from; do not cover it. There is trust. Great good fortune.

   Six at the top is yin completing the well's purpose through open access. The Small Image calls this great completion, like a carefully maintained public resource whose benefits are freely shared with its intended users.

Care for the source and the means of access together. Finish the practical details that turn stored value into shared benefit.

• Nuclear睽38
• Inverted困47
• Opposite噬嗑21
• Previous困47
• Next革49