Yi Jing Hexagram 48 — The Well (Jǐng 井): meaning and lines

Upper trigram: ☵ Water · lower trigram: ☴ Wind

The Judgment

The well nourishes without running dry; cities change, the well remains. Reach the source, do not break the jug.

The ancient ideogram

The archaic graph draws the plan of a plot of land divided into nine parcels according to the agricultural system of Chinese antiquity (the Jing Tian). The eight outer parcels were cultivated by eight families, while the central parcel, containing the well of living water, belonged to the community. It is the symbol of harmonious functioning, of collective replenishment and of the immutable energy of life.

The situation it describes

The return to the source and collective organisation

This hexagram describes a phase of stabilisation and deep replenishment. The situation requires not trying to change the fundamental structures ("the fiefs change, not the well"), but organising the ways of access to your inner resources or to those of your team. It is the moment to create social bonds and to establish a fruitful, nourishing mode of sharing.

The counsel of the figure

Care for the tools of communication and remain vigilant

The strategy for success rests on attention to detail and the maintenance of the links: "If the water runs low, if the well-rope falls short, if the pitcher breaks: closure". You must see that your means of transmission are in working order and act with benevolence to "comfort the people in their labours". Everyone must be able to draw from this common source without tension or selfishness.

The energetic composition

Energetically, the figure places the trigram of Wind/Root-Wood (Xun, the act of drawing water) below, beneath the trigram of the Ravine/Water (Kan, the living water of the depths) above. The Wood (the bucket or the pump) goes down to fetch the Water and bring it up to the surface. The general movement turns inward to nourish the collective. The challenge is to avoid the well running dry through lack of attention.

The six lines, from bottom to top

Each line is read only if it is changing in your cast. A changing line transforms the figure: the link under each text shows which hexagram it leads to.

Line 1 — yin (bottom line) A silted well no one drinks from; an old well without game (abandoned). If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 5 — Waiting.

Line 2 — yang At the well, one draws only for the minnows; the cracked jug leaks. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 39 — Obstruction.

Line 3 — yang The well has been cleaned, yet no one drinks from it; sorrow of the heart; if the king were clear-sighted, all would profit. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 29 — The Abysmal (Water).

Line 4 — yin The well is lined with stone: no blame. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 28 — Preponderance of the Great.

Line 5 — yang The well has a cool, clear spring from which one drinks. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 46 — Pushing Upward.

Line 6 — yin (top line) The well open to all, uncovered; sincerity: supreme good fortune. If it changes, this line leads to hexagram 57 — The Gentle (Wind).

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