ChineseStudy

32. Heng | Duration

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English translation

Heng / Duration: There is smooth progress, no blame, and it is fitting to be steadfast; moving ahead in a stable direction is beneficial.

This is the judgment of Heng (Duration), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “having somewhere to go” means forward action is fitting; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.

First Six: Persistence is deep, but with steadiness it is dangerous; there is no gain in making advances.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. the warning against going forward suggests restraint rather than expansion; “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Second Nine: regret disappears.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Third Nine: If one fails to keep to virtue, shame may follow, and even in firmness this is regrettable.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

Fourth Nine: hunting brings no game.

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: To keep one’s virtue is firm and stable; this is auspicious for women, but inauspicious for the man.

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.

Top Six: To shake up persistence is dangerous.

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.

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