Hexagram 48 井 - JǏNG / THE WELL
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Trigrams#
- Above: Kǎn, the Abysmal, Water
- Below: Xùn, the Gentle, Wind
Wood is below, water is above. Wood descends into the earth to bring up water. This is the image of the ancient Chinese pole-well. The wood does not refer to the buckets, which were made of clay in ancient times, but to the wooden pole used to lift the water from the well. The image also points to the plant kingdom, which lifts water from the earth through its veins. The well, from which water is drawn, further contains the idea of an inexhaustible supply of nourishment.
The Judgment#
The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one has almost reached the water of the well but the rope does not yet go all the way down, or if one breaks the jug, this brings misfortune.
Capital cities were sometimes relocated in ancient China, partly due to favorable locations and partly during changes of dynasties. The architectural style changed over the centuries, but the form of the well has remained the same from ancient times to the present day. Thus, the well is an image of the social organization of humanity in its most primitive necessities of life, which is independent of all political configurations. Political structures and nations change, but human life and its requirements remain eternally the same. This cannot be altered. This life is also inexhaustible. It becomes neither less nor more and is there for everyone. Generations come and go, and they all enjoy life in its inexhaustible abundance.
However, two things are necessary for a good state or social organization. One must go down to the very foundations of life. Any superficiality in the social order that leaves the deepest needs of life unsatisfied is just as imperfect as if no attempt at order had been made at all. Likewise, negligence that causes the jug to break is harmful. If, for example, the military protection of a state is so exaggerated that it provokes wars through which the power of the state is destroyed, this is a breaking of the jug. This hexagram also applies to the individual. However much people’s talents and education may differ, human nature at its foundation is the same in everyone. And every person can draw from the inexhaustible wellspring of divine human nature during their development. But here, too, two dangers threaten: first, that one does not penetrate to the actual roots of humanity but gets stuck in convention - such a superficial education is just as bad as no education at all - or that one suddenly breaks down and neglects the cultivation of one’s nature.
The Image#
Water is above wood: the image of the Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work and exhorts them to help one another.
Below is the trigram Xùn, wood; above is the trigram Kǎn, water. The wood draws the water upward. Just as wood functioning as an organism mimics the activity of the well, benefiting all parts of the plant, the superior man organizes human society so that it works together like a plant organism for the good of the whole.
The Individual Lines#
Six at the beginning means:#
The mud of the well is not drunk. No animals come to an old well.
If someone loiters in the swampy lowlands, their life sinks into the mud. Such a person loses their significance for humanity. Those who throw themselves away will no longer find others coming to them. In the end, no one cares about them anymore.
Nine in the second place means:#
At the well-hole one shoots fishes. The jug is broken and leaks.
The water itself is clear, but it is not being used. Thus, only fish live in the well, and whoever comes only comes to catch fish; but the jug is broken, so the fish cannot be kept in it.
This describes a situation where someone possesses good talents, but they are neglected. No one cares about them. As a result, they deteriorate internally. They associate with common people and can no longer accomplish anything worthwhile.
Nine in the third place means:#
The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart’s sorrow, for one could draw from it. If the king were clear-minded, all would share in the good fortune.
An able person is present here. He resembles a cleaned well whose water is fit to drink. But he is not being utilized. This is the sorrow of the people who know him. The desire is for the ruler to find out about him; then it would be a stroke of good fortune for everyone involved.
Six in the fourth place means:#
The well is being lined with stone, no blame.
When a well is being lined with stone, it cannot be used for a while, but the work is not in vain; it ensures that the water remains clear. Similarly, there are times in life when one must put oneself in order. During this period, one may not be able to achieve anything for others, but it is nevertheless valuable because internal cultivation increases one’s strength and abilities, allowing one to achieve much more afterward.
Nine in the fifth place means:#
In the well is a clear, cold spring from which one can drink.
This is a good well that has a spring of living water at its core. A man who possesses such virtues is born to be a savior and leader of humanity. He has the water of life. Yet, the sign of “good fortune” is missing. With a well, everything depends on the water being drawn. The best water exists only as a possibility for human refreshment as long as it is not lifted. Likewise, with leaders of humanity, everything depends on people drinking from their source and translating their words into life.
Six at the top means:#
One draws from the well without hindrance. It is reliable. Supreme good fortune!
The well is there for everyone. No prohibition restricts those who draw from it. No matter how many come, they find what they need, for the well is reliable. It has a constant source and does not dry up; therefore, it is a great blessing for the whole land. This represents the truly great person who is inexhaustibly rich in internal virtue. The more people draw from him, the greater his wealth becomes.
Reference links#
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