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Hexagram 52 · Kan — Keeping Still (Resting)

Mountain above, Mountain below · Trigrams: Mountain / Mountain · Code 001001 · Book of Changes, Hexagram 52

The Judgment

James Legge, 1899 (public domain)

When one's resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see any (of the persons) in it,—there will be no error.

The Oracle's Counsel

Kan is the mountain doubled — stillness resting on stillness. The oracle marks the one whose resting is like that of the back, self forgotten, walking the courtyard and seeing no one in it: no error. Stop when it is time to stop; move when it is time to move. The toes at rest are safe yet dragged by what follows; the calves at rest grumble in the mind. Loins held rigid break the body's thread — peril, and the heart glowing with suppressed excitement. The trunk at rest is without error. The jawbones at rest make every word orderly, and occasion for repentance disappears. Devotedly maintain restfulness through the topmost line, and good fortune sits on the mountain.

The Six Lines

Initial Six

Line 1

The first line, divided, shows its subject keeping his toes at rest. There will be no error; but it will be advantageous for him to be persistently firm and correct.

Second Six

Line 2

The second line, divided, shows its subject keeping the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help (the subject of the line above) whom he follows, and is dissatisfied in his mind.

Third Nine

Line 3

The third line, undivided, shows its subject keeping his loins at rest, and separating the ribs (from the body below). The situation is perilous, and the heart glows with suppressed excitement.

Fourth Six

Line 4

The fourth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his trunk at rest. There will be no error.

Fifth Six

Line 5

The fifth line, divided, shows its subject keeping his jawbones at rest, so that his words are (all) orderly. Occasion for repentance will disappear.

Topmost Nine

Line 6

The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject devotedly maintaining his restfulness. There will be good fortune.

Related hexagrams

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