Hexagram 20 of 64
觀 Guān · Contemplation
上 巽 Wind (Xùn) over 下 坤 Earth (Kūn)
Watch a while longer before you move.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: wind over the earth.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Guān shows wind sweeping over the earth; the breeze grazes every corner without settling, taking in everything without interfering. Guān counsels looking first: watch a little longer before moving, resisting the impulse to pronounce early conclusions, and allowing circumstances to reveal their own contours. Today's harvest will stem largely from keen observation, not from overt intervention.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Childish observation; for petty persons no blame, for the noble person distress.” Observing like a child means having only shallow understanding. Xiǎorén here means ordinary people, for whom this still brings no blame, or no reproach. A jūnzǐ is a virtuous person expected to have discernment; seeing only the surface brings humiliation, something regrettable or shameful. The initial yin line describes shallow observation at the outset and the different judgments made of it.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Boyish contemplation of initial six: the way of petty people.” Looking only at what is shallow and near like a child is the way of common petty people; if a noble person does so, it is narrow, crude, and lacking breadth.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Peeping through the door crack; favorable for a maiden's steadfastness.” Peering through a door crack reveals only part of the scene. “Favorable for a woman’s steadfastness” means this situation suits a woman holding to the right path with self-restraint. Following the ancient idea that women belonged indoors, it accepts this way of preserving one’s conduct. It also reveals the limits of narrow observation: a partial view cannot stand for the whole.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“Peering contemplation is fitting for a woman: also cause for shame.” Peering narrowly through a door crack is suitable only as the proper way for a woman guarding the home; if a noble person observes the world with such a petty outlook, it is exceedingly narrow, clumsy, and shameful.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“Observing my own life, determining whether to advance or retreat.” Examining one's own conduct comes before deciding whether to advance or withdraw. “My life” here refers to the behavior one actually displays. The third yin line turns observation inward, using one's actual conduct to assess advance or retreat. The emphasis is on making an appropriate choice after self-reflection.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“Contemplating my life, advance or retreat: one has not lost the path.” Reflecting upon one's lifelong conduct and situation to decide whether to advance or retreat allows one to act in tune with the times without departing from the upright path.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Observing the glory of the realm; favorable to be a guest of the king.” Observing a realm’s splendor means seeing the fine qualities of its government, moral instruction, rites, and customs. Becoming a guest at the king’s court to participate in government is favorable. Being his guest means receiving courteous royal treatment and entering court service. The fourth yin line turns from personal observation to public affairs, showing a situation of aspiring to participate in governing.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Contemplating the glory of the state: honoring the guest.” Beholding the radiant splendor and ritual culture of the state indicates that one's mind is set on being honored by a wise ruler, participating in governance as an esteemed guest.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“Observing my own life; the noble person no blame.” Examining one’s conduct and following a virtuous person’s path brings no blame, meaning no fault to reproach. The fifth yang line occupies the ruler’s position: its conduct’s merits and faults must also be assessed through their effects on the people. “Observing my life” thus includes examining the results of government, as well as one’s own behavior.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“Contemplating my life: contemplating the people.” A ruler examines the outcome of their own governance and moral teachings by observing the demeanor and customs of the people under Heaven.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“Observing their lives; the noble person no blame.” The top yang line uses “their” rather than “my” because it does not occupy the ruler's position. It simply stands high, its actions looked up to by others. Maintaining the virtues of a jūnzǐ brings no blame, meaning no fault to reproach. Someone in a position where others observe them must also scrutinize their own actions.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Contemplating their life: the mind is not yet at peace.” Top nine resides at the very peak of the hexagram, where every action is watched by those below; therefore, the mind cannot yet rest at ease and must remain vigilant.
Zhouyi, hexagram 20, line 12. Koyonari translation.