Hexagram 29 坎, Line 3
坎
Hexagram 29 · third line, divided (six)
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
The third line, divided, shows its subject, whether he comes or goes (=descends or ascends), confronted by a defile. All is peril to him and unrest. (His endeavours) will lead him into the cavern of the pit. There should be no action (in such a case).
James Legge (1882), public domain.
Small image (小象)
來之坎坎，終无功也。
If only this line changes, hexagram 29 becomes hexagram 48.
← Hexagram 29 坎: judgment and all lines
Character glossary
- 來láito arrive, to come, to return; in the fu
- 之zhīmarks preceding phrase as modifier of fo
- 坎kǎnpit, hole; to trap, to snare; crisis
- 險xiǎnnarrow pass, strategic point
- 且qiěmoreover, also (post-subject); about to,
- 枕zhěnpillow
- 入rùto enter, to come in; to join
- 于yúat, in, on; to, from; alas!
- 窞dànpit
- 勿wùmust not, do not; without, never
- 用yòngto use, to employ, to apply; use
- 終zhōngend; finally, in the end
- 无wúno, not; lacking, -less
- 功gōngachievement, good work; merit; service
- 也yěalso, too
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0); Chinese Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.