29. Kan | The Abysmal
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
坎：有孚，维心亨，行有尚。
English translation
Kan / The Abysmal: there is sincerity, the heart remains sincere and open, action receives honor.
This is the judgment of Kan (The Abysmal), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence.
Original Chinese text
初六：习坎，入于坎窞，凶。
English translation
First Six: repeated danger, entering a pit within the danger, misfortune.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “misfortune” marks serious risk.
Original Chinese text
九二：坎有险，求小得。
English translation
Second Nine: In the second line, there is danger in the abyss; the result is only a small gain.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
六三：来之坎坎，险且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
English translation
Third Six: One comes through repeated danger and deep peril, descending into pits of danger; do not act.
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.
Original Chinese text
六四：樽酒簋贰，用缶。纳约自牖，终无咎。
English translation
Fourth Six: A pair of cups and a bronze vessel are used, with a pot in hand; when agreements are taken in through the window, no blame comes in the end.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
九五：坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
English translation
Fifth Nine: The abyss is not overflowing; it has settled to a level state, and 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. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.
Original Chinese text
上六：系用霉𬙊，寘于丛棘。三岁不得，凶。
English translation
Top Six: Bound with decayed binding and placed among thorns, it is not obtained for three years; this is inauspicious.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “misfortune” marks serious risk.