Hexagram 5 需, Line 6
需
Hexagram 5 · sixth line, divided (six)
入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject entered into the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.
James Legge (1882), public domain.
Small image (小象)
不速之客來，敬之終吉。雖不當位，未大失也。
If only this line changes, hexagram 5 becomes hexagram 9.
← Hexagram 5 需: judgment and all lines
Character glossary
- 入rùto enter, to come in; to join
- 于yúat, in, on; to, from; alas!
- 穴xuécave, den, hole
- 有yǒuto have, to own, to possess; to exist
- 不bùno, not, un-; negative prefix
- 速sùprompt, quick, speedy
- 之zhīmarks preceding phrase as modifier of fo
- 客kèguest, traveller; customer
- 三sānthree
- 人rénman, person; people
- 來láito arrive, to come, to return; in the fu
- 敬jìngto respect, to honor; respectfully
- 終zhōngend; finally, in the end
- 吉jílucky, propitious, good
- 雖suīalthough, even though
- 當dāngappropriate, timely; to act, to serve; t
- 位wèiseat, throne; rank, status; position, lo
- 未wèinot yet; 8th terrestrial branch
- 大dàbig, great, vast, high, deep
- 失shīto lose; to make a mistake, to neglect
- 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.