Guān Contemplation (Observation) [hexagram 20]

Yang line Yang - controlling line Yin line Yin line Yin line Yin line
View, radiation

Wind/Wood over Earth
Wood Wood element

Thunder Heaven
Dà zhuàng [34] Great power; Powerful
Opposite
Earth Lake
Lín [19] Advance; Approach
Inverse
Mountain Earth
[23] Disintegration; Splitting apart
Mutual

Lunar month: 8 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
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The Descision

In contemplation, hands have been washed prior to making the offering with sincerity and due reverence.

The highest virtue is above, in its correct place, showing meekness and due reverence, observing all under heaven. ‘In contemplation, hands have been washed prior to making an offering with sincerity and due reverence’ – in this way those observing are transformed. It is the way of Heaven to cycle the seasons faultlessly. The wise if duly instructed by the Way can achieve anything.

观: 盥荐, . Guān: guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò.

: , , . 观, 盥荐, , . 观, 忒, , 矣. Tuàn zhuàn: Dà guān zài shàng, shùn ér xùn, zhōng zhèng yǐ guān tiān xià. guān, guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò, xià guān ér huà yě. guān tiān zhī shén dào, ér sì shí bù tè, shèng rén yǐ shén dào shè jiào, ér tiān xià fú yǐ.

The Image

Wind blows gently over the earth in ‘Contemplation’. Ancient rulers studied their realms, observing the people and gave them guidance.

: , 观; , 观. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēng xíng dì shang, guān; xiān wáng yǐ xǐng fāng, guān mín shè jiào.

young yang young yang young yin young yin young yin changing yin
I Ching transform
Wind/Wood Thunder
[42] Increase; Gain
Line Change 1

A childlike look, blameless for the unenterprising but for those seeking virtue an embarrassment.

‘A childlike look’ – showing the tendency of the enterprising.

: 观, , 吝. Chū liù: tóng guān, xiǎo rén wú jiù, jūn zǐ lìn.

: 观, . Xiàng zhuàn: Chū liù tóng guān, xiǎo rén dào yě.

young yang young yang young yin young yin changing yin young yin
I Ching transform
Wind/Wood Water
Huàn [59] Dispersion; Scattering
Line Change 2

Peeping through a crack in the door; favorable to maintaining dignity of the observed.

‘Peeping through a crack in the door; favorable to maintaining proper distance’ – shameful for those aspiring to virtue.

: 窥观, . Liù èr: kuī guān, lì nǚ zhēn.

: 窥观, . Xiàng zhuàn: Kuī guān nǚ zhēn, yì kě chǒu yě.

young yang young yang young yin changing yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Wind/Wood Mountain
Jiàn [53] Gradual development; Progression
Line Change 3

Contemplating one’s own life leads to progress or setback.

‘Contemplating one’s own life leads to progress or setback’ – the true path should be followed.

: 观, 退. Liù sān: guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì.

: 观, 退; . Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì; wèi shī dào yě.

young yang young yang changing yin young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Heaven Earth
[12] Stagnation; Hindrance
Line Change 4

Reflecting on the nation’s splendor, it is beneficial to seek the friendship of the leader.

‘Reflecting on the nation’s splendor’ – gives rise to the wish for involvement in governance.

: 观, . Liù sì: guān guó zhī guāng, lì yòng bīn yú wáng.

: 观, . Xiàng zhuàn: Guān guó zhī guāng, shàng bīn yě.

young yang changing yang young yin young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Mountain Earth
[23] Disintegration; Splitting apart
Line Change 5

Contemplating one’s own journey through life. Such action by the aspiring does no harm.

‘Contemplating one’s own journey through life’ – as well as studying others.

: 观, . Jiǔ wǔ: guān wǒ shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.

: 观, 观. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, guān mín yě.

changing yang young yang young yin young yin young yin young yin
I Ching transform
Water Earth
[8] Belonging; Union
Line Change 6

Assessing whether past actions were noble. A blameless action.

‘Assessing past actions’ – never quite at ease.

: 观, . Shàng jiǔ: guān qí shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.

: 观, . Xiàng zhuàn: Guān qí shēng, zhì wèi píng yě.

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See also