3. Zhun | Difficulty at the Beginning

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Original Chinese text

English translation

Zhun / Difficulty at the Beginning: great success and smooth progress, it is beneficial to remain upright; do not act yet, there is somewhere to go. it is beneficial to establish lords.

This is the judgment of Zhun (Difficulty at the Beginning), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

Original Chinese text

English translation

First Nine: circling and hesitating, it is beneficial to remain in constancy, it is beneficial to establish lords.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

Original Chinese text

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Second Six: blocked and hesitant, the horses draw back and do not advance. not robbers, a marriage alliance. the woman remains steadfast and does not yet marry, only after ten years does the marriage come about.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

Original Chinese text

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Third Six: pursuing deer without a guide, only entering deeper into the forest. the noble person reads the signs and is better off stopping; going forward, regret or difficulty.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Original Chinese text

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Fourth Six: the horses draw back and do not advance, seeking a marriage alliance. going forward, auspicious, nothing is unfavorable.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Original Chinese text

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Fifth Nine: holding back nourishment and favor, constancy in small matters, auspicious; constancy in great matters, misfortune.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Original Chinese text

English translation

Top Six: the horses draw back and do not advance, weeping tears of blood.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

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