2. Kun | The Receptive
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yin (broken)
坤：元亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷，后得主，利。西南得朋，东北丧朋：安贞，吉。
Translation: Kun brings great smoothness. It is beneficial to keep the constancy of a mare: receptive, enduring, and steady. If the noble person has somewhere to go, going first leads to confusion, but later finding a master or guiding principle brings benefit. In the southwest one gains companions; in the northeast one loses companions. Resting in constancy is auspicious.
Reading note: Kun represents the way of Earth: receptive, sustaining, and able to carry things to completion. Its yielding is not weakness; it succeeds by following the right orientation and holding steadily to what is correct.
初六：履霜坚冰至。
Translation: First Six: when one treads on frost, hard ice is on the way.
Reading note: The first line points to small beginnings. Kun teaches attentiveness to early signs: when a pattern first appears, respond before it hardens into a more difficult condition.
六二：直方大，不习无不利。
Translation: Second Six: straight, square, and great; even without deliberate practice or display, nothing is unfavorable.
Reading note: This is the most natural expression of Kun's central virtue. Straightness, squareness, and breadth suggest inner integrity, proper form, and a capacity large enough to support others.
六三：含章可贞，或从王事，无成有终。
Translation: Third Six: holding beauty and ability within, one may remain constant. If serving in the king's affairs, do not claim achievement, yet there will be completion.
Reading note: This line values hidden accomplishment over self-display. Talent should be used to complete the work, not to seize credit.
六四：括囊，无咎无誉。
Translation: Fourth Six: tie up the sack; there is no blame and no praise.
Reading note: The fourth line is a sensitive threshold. Restraint in speech and action prevents harm, even if it does not win public recognition.
六五：黄裳元吉。
Translation: Fifth Six: a yellow lower garment; greatly auspicious.
Reading note: Yellow suggests the center, and the lower garment suggests humility. Even in an honored place, Kun's virtue is to remain centered, modest, and receptive.
上六：龙战于野，其血玄黄。
Translation: Top Six: dragons battle in the open field; their blood is dark and yellow.
Reading note: Receptivity pushed to an extreme can turn into conflict with active force. The colors of Heaven and Earth suggest that such conflict wounds the larger order.
用六：利永贞。
Translation: Using Sixes: it is beneficial to remain constantly upright for the long term.
Reading note: This is the special judgment for all six lines being yin. Kun's yielding power must be anchored in enduring correctness; otherwise receptivity becomes drift.