20. Guan | Contemplation
- 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): yang (unbroken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
观：盥而不荐，有孚颙若。
Translation: 观 / Contemplation: 盥而不荐，there is sincerity颙若。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Guan (Contemplation), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence.
初六：童观，小人无咎，君子吝。
Translation: First Six: 童观，小人no blame，君子regret or difficulty。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.
六二：闚观，利女贞。
Translation: Second Six: Draft rendering: 闚观，利女贞。.
Reading note: 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.
六三：观我生进退。
Translation: Third Six: Draft rendering: 观我生进退。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
六四：观国之光。利用宾于王。
Translation: Fourth Six: Draft rendering: 观国之光。利用宾于王。.
Reading note: 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.
九五：观我生，君子无咎。
Translation: Fifth Nine: 观我生，君子no blame。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
上九：观其生，君子无咎。
Translation: Top Nine: 观其生，君子no blame。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.