Home › I Ching · 64 hexagrams › Hexagram 5
James Legge, 1899 (public domain)
Hsü intimates that, with the sincerity which is declared in it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
Hsü — clouds high in the sky, rain not yet falling — is the hexagram of waiting: strength facing danger, choosing to feed itself and bide its time instead of fighting. The oracle grades the waiting by its ground. At the distant border, constancy pays and there is no error. On the sand, small gossip, but a good end. In the mud, you invite the injury yourself. In blood — yet you will get out of the cavern. At the feast, firmness brings fortune. In the cavern, three uninvited guests arrive: receive them with respect, and the ending is good. Cross the great stream — but when the waiting itself says wait, the brave thing is to wait.
Line 1
The first line, undivided, shows its subject waiting in the distant border. It will be well for him constantly to maintain (the purpose thus shown), in which case there will be no error.
Line 2
The second line, undivided, shows its subject waiting on the sand (of the mountain stream). He will (suffer) the small (injury of) being spoken (against), but in the end there will be good fortune.
Line 3
The third line, undivided, shows its subject in the mud (close by the stream). He thereby invites the approach of injury.
Line 4
The fourth line, divided, shows its subject waiting in (the place of) blood. But he will get out of the cavern.
Line 5
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject waiting amidst the appliances of a feast. Through his firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
Line 6
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject entered into the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.