Kan (The Abysmal) (坎爲水)

Repeated abyssal depths require inner authenticity. Flow like pure water through danger without losing your true direction.

Water flows on unendingly and reaches its goal: The image of the Abysmal. Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching.

1. Line 1 初六Bottom line (1st) · Yin習坎，入于坎窞，凶。Repeated pit; falling into the depths of the pit: misfortune.
2. Line 2 九二2nd line · Yang坎有險，求小得。The pit is dangerous; seek only small gains.
3. Line 3 六三3rd line · Yin來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。Coming or going, pit upon pit; danger, and one is propped up; falling into the depths of the pit—do not act.
4. Line 4 六四4th line · Yin尊酒簋，貳用缶。内約自牖，終無咎。A jug of wine, a bowl of rice, with earthen vessels as an additional offering; the simple bond is made through the window; in the end no fault.
5. Line 5 九五5th line · Yang坎不盈，禔既平，無咎。The pit is not yet filled, but it is leveled; no fault.
6. Line 6 上六Top line (6th) · Yin係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。Bound with ropes and placed in a thicket of thorns; for three years he cannot find the way out: misfortune.

Original line texts are transcribed from Wikisource (周易). The English renderings are literal working drafts under editorial review and may change.