Hexagram 48 井 changing to hexagram 47 困
Changing lines (counted from the bottom): 3, 4.
What to read
Two changing lines: read both line texts of the original hexagram; the upper one is the main one. (Rule set out by Zhu Xi in the Yixue qimeng.)
Hexagram 48 井, line 4
井甃,无咎。
The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.
Hexagram 48 井, line 3
井渫不食,為我心惻,可用汲,王明,並受其福。
The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
The two hexagrams
Hexagram 48 井 — judgment
改邑不改井,无喪无得,往來井井。汔至亦未繘井。羸其瓶,凶。
(Looking at) Zing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
Hexagram 47 困 — judgment
亨,貞大人吉,无咎,有言不信。
In (the condition denoted by) Khwăn there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.
The changing lines of hexagram 48
| Line | Chinese | Legge |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 井渫不食,為我心惻,可用汲,王明,並受其福。 | The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it. |
| 4 | 井甃,无咎。 | The fourth line, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error. |
English: James Legge (1882), public domain. Chinese: Zhou Yi.
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.