Hexagram 47
Upper · Duì (Lake) | Lower · Kǎn (Water)
Hardship · constraint · perseverance · joy amid difficulty · action over words · trial of the virtuous
Hexagram 47, Kùn (困), is about hardship, constraint, and perseverance. Even when circumstances press upon you, progress remains possible through steadfast integrity.
"In Khwan there may yet be progress and success. For the firm and correct, the great man will have good fortune."
Even when circumstances press upon you, progress remains possible through steadfast integrity. The person of true character finds good fortune not by escaping difficulty, but by moving through it with quiet resolve. Words alone cannot convince others in such times—only your deeds will speak.
"Straitened under the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley, and for three years has no prospect of deliverance."
When you begin from a mistaken position, escape becomes long and difficult. Examine whether your initial direction was sound; wrong choices at the start compound over time.
"Straitened amidst wine and viands. The red knee-covers of the ruler come. It is well to maintain sincerity as in sacrifice. Active operations lead to evil, but he will be free from blame."
Abundance itself can become a trap, clouding judgment through excess. Remain centered and sincere; do not let comfort seduce you into reckless action. Patience and inner steadiness will see you through.
"Straitened before a frowning rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil."
When all paths seem blocked and you grasp at whatever is near, even your closest bonds suffer. Misguided effort in a constrained situation damages what matters most. Pause and reconsider your approach.
"Proceeding very slowly to help, straitened by the carriage adorned with metal in front. There will be occasion for regret, but the end will be good."
Help arrives, but slowly and with some awkwardness. Do not despair at the delay; what comes late still comes. Acceptance of the pace brings eventual resolution.
"His nose and feet cut off. He is straitened by ministers in scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements and satisfied. It is well to be sincere as in sacrifice."
Even under the harshest constraint, inner peace and faith sustain you. The greatest trials test not your strength but your spirit. Endure with grace, and deliverance will follow.
"Straitened, as if bound with creepers, in a high and dangerous position. If I move, I shall repent. If he repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in going forward."
You are tangled and uncertain, fearing that any move will bring regret. Yet staying bound brings no relief. Release old mistakes and step forward—the regret of action is lighter than the weight of paralysis.
You are in a season of real constraint, yet this is precisely when your true mettle shows. Prove yourself through consistent, quiet work rather than grand promises. The difficulty you face now is not punishment—it is the crucible that will make your eventual advancement unshakeable. Stay the course.
Relationships strain under present pressure, and words of reassurance will ring hollow. Show your commitment through patient, steady presence and genuine care. The trials you weather together now will either strengthen your bond or reveal its limits—either way, you will know the truth. Do not abandon the relationship out of frustration; see this through.
Learning feels blocked and progress invisible, yet this is often when the deepest growth occurs beneath the surface. Do not mistake slow visible results for lack of advancement. Continue with discipline and faith; the knowledge you gain now, earned through struggle, will be yours in a way easy learning never grants.
Resources are tight and momentum has stalled. Strip away the ornamental; focus on what is essential and real. Minimize expense, maximize focus on core value. This is not the season for expansion or bold moves, but for building a foundation so solid that when conditions shift, you are ready. Endure now; opportunity will come.
Do not mistake silence for weakness or patience for passivity. Equally, do not let frustration push you into reckless action that compounds your difficulty. Avoid the trap of seeking comfort in excess or distraction. The greatest danger now is losing faith and abandoning your integrity—that is the only true defeat.
Read the line statement for each changing line above. With two or more changing lines, Zhu Xi’s rules decide which text leads the reading.
Original English translation by James Legge, 1882 (Public Domain). Editorial adaptation © Yijing.