Hexagram 48: Jing

Judgment

改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井。汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶，凶。

(Looking at) Žing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

A town can move, but its well stays put, never running dry or overflowing, and everyone who comes can draw from it. If the bucket breaks just before it reaches the water, that is an ominous sign.

Image

木上有水，井；君子以勞民勸相。

(The trigram representing) wood and above it that for water form Žing. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.

Line 1 · 初六

井泥不食，舊井无禽。

The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.

The well is clogged with mud, so nobody drinks from it, and even birds have stopped visiting this old well.

Line 2 · 九二

井谷射鮒，瓮敝漏。

The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.

Water trickles out to feed tiny fish and the water jar is broken and leaks. The supply exists but little of it is gathered for real use.

Line 3 · 九三

井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。

The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.

The well has been cleaned yet nobody drinks from it, which saddens everyone who sees it. If the ruler saw that clearly, all would share the benefit.

Line 4 · 六四

井甃，无咎。

The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.

The walls of the well are rebuilt with brick. This is careful maintenance, the quiet work that keeps a source in good shape, and no fault attaches to it.

Line 5 · 九五

井冽，寒泉食。

The fifth line, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.

The well runs clear and its cold spring water is drunk. This is the well at its best, serving those who come.

Line 6 · 上六

井收勿幕，有孚元吉。

The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.

The water comes up and the well stays uncovered, open to everyone. Dependable and open, it is very favorable.