Line 1 Yang
Wait in the open country, away from danger, maintaining steady habits.
← The 64 hexagrams
HEXAGRAM 05 · Xū
Waiting with Trust
Wait while preserving readiness, trust, and strength.
☵ Above: Kan · Water☰ Below: Qian · Heaven
Meaning
Clouds gather above heaven before rain falls. With danger ahead, strength must wait; attending to ordinary needs is part of being prepared.
FOR REFLECTION
What can you prepare without moving yourself closer to danger?
The six lines
Read from line 1 at the bottom to line 6 at the top. These are paraphrases, not verbatim translations.
Line 2 Yang
Wait on the sand: some criticism arises, without demanding your involvement.
Line 3 Yang
Waiting in mud draws raiders: standing too near danger restricts your choices.
Line 4 Yin
Waiting amid bloodshed, then leaving the pit: listen for a way out.
Line 5 Yang
Wait with food and drink: replenish strength without abandoning constancy.
Line 6 Yin
Entering the pit, meet three unexpected guests with respect.
References
Classical Zhouyi · 需James Legge, The Yî King (1882), Sacred Books of the East XVI, hexagram 5
Editorial policy & bibliography →For reference and reflection. This commentary makes no certain claim about the future.