Khan (literally, a pit; the trigram for water) repeated, forms a subject the attribute of which is perilousness. (Its intima-tion is) that (to him who is represented by it) there will be the possession of sincerity, and that, through his heart's action, there will be success in what he undertakes, and that the value (of all that he does) will be an increase of good.
The first SIX, divided, shows its subject (as if) repeating the peril (of the position). When he thus enters a pit (or cavity), there will be evil.
The second NINE, undivided, shows the peril (of the position). He should seek to bring things to a small success (and that) only by the exercise of firmness and correctness. The third SIX, divided, shows him (coming and) going, and (now in) a pit (now not). However perilous his position, no blame will be imputed to him.
The fourth SIX, divided, shows him with (only) a bottle of spirits and a single bowl of rice, while the pits (around are so deep) as to make him fear. There will be no error.
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the pit full to the brim. The water is there, but it will not flow over till the full time is come.
The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject bound with cords and confined in the thorny enclosure. Because of the peril, he says, 'He has lost his proper course, and for three years he will not come back to it.' There will be evil. © 2026 I-Ching Divination. All rights reserved.