48. Jing | The Well
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
井：改邑不改井，无丧无得。往来井井，汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶，凶。
English translation
Jing / The Well: The city may be changed, but the well is not; there is neither loss nor gain. People go to and from the well, nearly there yet still not drawing from it. If the water skin is weakened, misfortune comes.
This is the judgment of Jing (The Well), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “misfortune” marks serious risk.
Original Chinese text
初六：井泥不食，旧井无禽。
English translation
First Six: Mud from the well is not to be eaten, and an old well has no prey.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
九二：井谷射鲋，瓮敝漏。
English translation
Second Nine: A fish is shot at from the well mouth, but the jar is broken and leaking.
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
九三：井渫不食，为我心恻，可用汲。王明，并受其福。
English translation
Third Nine: The well is cleaned but still not for eating, which stirs pity. It can still be drawn from, and under wise governance blessings are shared.
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：井甃，无咎。
English translation
Fourth Six: The well is lined and stabilized; this brings no blame.
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：井洌寒泉，食。
English translation
Fifth Nine: The well is clear and cold, with pure spring water to draw and drink.
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.
Original Chinese text
上六：井收，勿幕。有孚，元吉。
English translation
Top Six: The well is collected and held back; do not keep it covered over. With sincerity, the result is great fortune.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.