Hexagram 10 of 64
履 Lǚ · Treading
上 乾 Heaven (Qián) over 下 兌 Lake (Duì)
Tread surely rather than swiftly.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: heaven above, lake below.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Lǚ is heaven above and lake below; beneath your feet lies a yielding expanse of water, where rank is distinct yet footing remains precarious. Lǚ speaks of the craft of walking itself—knowing which plane you stand upon, your stride must be measured and firm. Treading surely suits this hour far better than rushing; whatever distance is gained by haste must often be retraced to mend.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Simple treading; going forward brings no blame.” Acting simply and within one's proper role, one can continue forward with no blame, meaning no fault or cause for reproach. Sù lǚ emphasizes conduct free of pretence. At the beginning of Lǚ, the first yang line first settles into its own proper role.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Advancing with plain conduct: walking alone to carry out one’s desire.” Proceeding with a plain and simple demeanor means carrying out one's aspiration independently. One interpretation takes "alone" as singleness of purpose, meaning undistracted by extraneous desires. Initial nine dwells at the very bottom of the hexagram, seeking no attachments and content to tread simply; therefore the line statement declares no blame.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Treading the level and easy road; for the secluded person, steadfastness brings good fortune.” The path being followed is level and broad. The secluded person lives quietly, keeps to their own principles and does not seek prominence. Steadfastness, meaning adherence to the proper path, brings good fortune, an auspicious outcome. The level path also symbolizes steady conduct undisturbed by external things.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“The secluded person steadfast attains good fortune: centered, not throwing oneself into disorder.” A secluded person remaining steadfast attains good fortune by holding to the center without losing inner poise. Nine in the second holds the lower center; acting with calm composure, its heart does not lose its proper measure.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“The one-eyed can still see, the lame can still tread. Treading on the tiger's tail; it bites the person: misfortune. A warrior acting like a great ruler.” With impaired sight, one assumes one can see clearly; with difficulty walking, one assumes one can walk steadily. The result is stepping on a tiger's tail and being bitten: misfortune, meaning danger and an unfavorable outcome. This also resembles a warrior using brute force to undertake a sovereign's duties, overreaching despite inadequate ability and taking on more than they can manage.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“The one-eyed sees, but not clearly. The lame walks, but cannot march along. The tiger’s bite is misfortune: position improper. A warrior acting as sovereign: will unyielding.” One afflicted in one eye can see, yet lacks clear vision; a lame person walks, yet cannot keep pace. Misfortune of the tiger's bite stems from an improper position (six in the third is yin in a yang place). A warrior acting as the great ruler arises from fierce resolve.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Treading on the tiger's tail; fearful and circumspect, in the end good fortune.” Stepping on a tiger's tail places one in danger, yet fear and vigilance are maintained throughout, ending in good fortune, an auspicious outcome. Sù sù describes fear and unease. Although the fourth yang line faces danger, its continuing caution brings a good result.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Trepidation upon trepidation, good fortune in the end: the will proceeds.” Constantly maintaining caution and apprehension while ultimately attaining good fortune occurs because acting in this manner enables one's will to proceed securely. Nine in the fourth place draws close to the honored position; though placed in danger, it knows reverence and fear, exercising cautious self-restraint, and thereby turns calamity into auspiciousness to fulfill its aspiration.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“Resolute treading; steadfastness in danger.” Acting firmly and decisively still involves danger, even with steadfastness and conduct that follows the proper path. Guài lǚ emphasizes decisive action. The fifth yang line occupies an honored position; having authority to decide does not justify overlooking the risks involved in acting.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“Resolute treading, steadfast yet perilous: the position is correct and appropriate.” Acting decisively brings danger even while remaining steadfast, because the position held by nine in the fifth place is both correct and appropriate, making it easy to act arbitrarily. Firm and holding the ruler's place, every movement affects the entire situation, which is why the line statement speaks of peril.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“Observe the conduct and examine the signs; returning complete brings supreme good fortune.” Looking back over one's conduct, one examines its signs of good fortune and misfortune. If the action has been sound and complete from beginning to end, it brings great good fortune, a highly auspicious outcome. At Lǚ's end, the top yang line assesses the conduct's appropriateness by considering the whole process.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Supreme good fortune at the top: there is great celebration.” The most magnificent good fortune appearing at the highest place of the hexagram shows that the way of treading is fully complete and perfected, surely bringing immense celebration. Top nine dwells at the end of Lǚ, comprehensively reflecting upon the conduct and propriety of a lifetime; completing beginning and end without deficit, it obtains great good fortune.
Zhouyi, hexagram 10, line 12. Koyonari translation.