Hexagram 48 of 64
井 Jǐng · The Well
上 坎 Water (Kǎn) over 下 巽 Wind (Xùn)
Draw water from the old well.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: water over wood.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Jǐng is water over wood: the well remains in its place while those who draw water come and go in generations. Jǐng speaks of returning to the old well for water—the enduring source still gives water, you need only walk over to draw it. Today there is no need to hunt for fresh springs; look first to what has always been there.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Mud at the well: none drink. An old well attracts no birds.” Silt clogs the bottom of the well, making its water undrinkable; even birds stay away from the abandoned old well. Shí here means drinking. The well still exists, but cannot provide water for people to draw. This depicts a position at the bottom of the well where a useful function cannot yet be fulfilled.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Mud at the well cannot be drunk: it is at the bottom. An old well attracts no birds: abandoned by the times.” That murky mud at the bottom of the well cannot be drunk is because initial six lies at the lowest depth, humble and sunken; that an abandoned well attracts not even birds occurs because the times have moved on and it has been completely discarded by the current circumstances.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Shooting minnows in the well gully; the jug is cracked and leaks.” The well water flows downward like water in a valley, reaching only the small fish at the bottom. The water-drawing jar is also worn out and leaks. Shè means water pouring downward; fù is understood here as a small fish in the well. Water is present, but difficult to draw upward for people to drink.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“The well-crevice shoots at small fish: there is no companion.” Water from a cavity in the well-side only reaches tiny fish (fù) because nine in the second place lacks a corresponding ally above; water can only trickle downward instead of rising up.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“The well is cleansed yet none drink, causing heartache. It could be drawn from; were the king discerning, all would share in its blessing.” The silt has been cleared from the well, yet no one drinks from it, causing sorrow over its disuse. Xiè means removing silt; water can already be drawn from this well. If the king recognizes this and puts it to use, everyone can benefit together. The line's sorrow lies in usable water remaining unused.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“The well is cleansed but not drunk from, grieving the traveler's heart. Seeking the king's clarity brings blessings.” A well dredged clean yet left undrunk causes travelers passing by to feel deep sorrow and pity; if it meets an enlightened sovereign who discerningly employs it, all people may share in the nourishment and blessing of the wellspring.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Lining the well with tiles: no blame.” The well is repaired by lining its walls with bricks. Zhòu means building a lining for the well. This line focuses on the work of repairing it and judges it as ‘no blame,’ meaning no fault and no grounds for reproach. Repairing the well is also a step toward enabling it to serve its purpose.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Tiling the well brings no blame: repairing the well.” Lining the well wall with brick or stone (zhòu means laying brick to line a well wall) brings no blame because it serves to repair the well. Six in the fourth place, a yin line in a yin position, is able to renovate and cultivate itself, thereby avoiding blame.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“The well is clear, drinking from the cold spring.” The well water is clean, and its cool spring water is drinkable. Liè means clear water, while shí here means drinking. This line depicts a well already containing clean, drinkable spring water, available for people to draw and able to sustain them.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“Cold spring water is drunk: central and correct.” The cold spring is fit for people to drink because nine in the fifth place is a firm line occupying the central and upright seat.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“The well is gathered, left uncovered. With sincerity, supreme good fortune.” Water can now be drawn from the well; its opening should remain uncovered so that people can use it. Shōu is understood as drawing water (another reading takes it as the completion of the well's work); mù means covering. Fú means sincerity; yuán jí means great good fortune. This judgment follows when the well fully serves its purpose, supplying water openly and with sincerity.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“Supreme good fortune at the top: great completion.” Attaining supreme good fortune at the very top is because the well's virtue of nourishing people and benefiting all things reaches glorious completion and widespread fulfillment at the summit.
Zhouyi, hexagram 48, line 12. Koyonari translation.