48/ 井 / ䷯ / The Well
the judgement
THE WELL. The town may be changed,
But the well cannot be changed.
It neither decreases nor increases.
They come and go and draw from the well.
If one gets down almost to the water
And the rope does not go all the way,
Or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.
the image
Water over wood: the image of THE WELL.
Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work,
And exhorts them to help one another.
the lines
Six at the beginning means:
One does not drink the mud of the well.
No animals come to an old well.
Nine in the second place means:
At the wellhole one shoots fishes.
The jug is broken and leaks.
Nine in the third place means:
The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it.
This is my heart’s sorrow,
For one might draw from it.
If the king were clear–minded,
Good fortune might be enjoyed in common.
Six in the fourth place means:
The well is being lined. No blame.
Nine in the fifth place means:
In the well there is a clear, cold spring
From which one can drink.
Nine at the top means:
One draws from the well
Without hindrance.
It is dependable.
Supreme good fortune.
48/ 井 / ䷯ / The Žing Hexagram
Explanation of the entire figure by king Wăn
(Looking at) Žing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its
wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who
come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
Explanation of the separate lines by the duke of Kâu
The first SIX, divided,
shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it;
or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.
The second NINE, undivided,
shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the
shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.
The third NINE, undivided,
shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this,
for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
The fourth SIX, divided,
shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.
The fifth NINE, undivided,
shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.
The topmost SIX, divided,
shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered.
This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.
48/ 井 / ䷯ / Replenishing
decision
Replenishing.
The site of a village may be moved,
Not the well.
Niether loses nor gains.
Coming and going, drawing, drawing.
Nearly out of the well,
Break one's bucket--misfortune.
commentary on the symbol
Water over Wood.
An image of Replenishing.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person encourages the people at their work
And urges them to help one another.
yao text (the lines)
Initial Six
Mud in the well.
No drinking.
Old well, no birds.
Second Nine
Bottom of the well--
Tiny carp.
Bucket leaks.
Third Nine
Well is dredged.
No drinking.
Sorrow in my heart.
It could be used and drawn.
King is enlightened
And receives his blessing.
Fourth Six
Well is tiled.
No fault.
Fifth Nine
Well is pure.
Icy spring is drunk.
Top Six
Well is fully drawn.
Do not cover.
Being sincere and truthful:
Supreme good fortune.