ChineseStudy

15. Qian | Humility

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English translation

Qian / Humility: Humility brings success; one with noble conduct reaches a good conclusion.

This is the judgment of Qian (Humility), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

First Six: A humble and restrained noble person can cross great waters, and this is fortunate.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Second Six: Let humility be openly expressed; with firm uprightness, it is fortunate.

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; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Third Nine: Toil with humility. For the upright person, the outcome ends in good fortune.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Fourth Six: There is nothing inauspicious here; hold to restraint and humility.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Fifth Six: Do not grow rich by exploiting neighbors. Military action may be used, and in this way there is no blame.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Top Six: To make humility audible is the way here; it is suitable to marshal troops and campaign against states, with no immediate misfortune implied.

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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