Hexagram 5
Waiting
Xu (Waiting) (水天需)
Upper: ☵ Kan (坎) (Water) · Lower: ☰ Qian (乾) (Heaven)
䷄
📊 Binary Architecture & The Six Lines
Top Line
Yin
Fifth Line
Yang
Fourth Line
Yin
Third Line
Yang
Second Line
Yang
Initial Line
Yang
Outer (Upper Trigram)
☵ Kan (坎)
Nature: Water (水)
Element: Water (水)
Inner (Lower Trigram)
☰ Qian (乾)
Nature: Heaven (天)
Element: Metal (金)
📜 The Judgment (卦辭 / Guaci)
有孚，光亨，貞吉。利涉大川。
Patient waiting filled with inner truth brings shining success. Nourish body and mind while awaiting the optimal moment to cross the great stream.
🧭 The Image (大象傳 / Da Xiang) & Archetypal Conduct
雲上于天，需，君子以飲食宴樂。
Clouds rise up to heaven: The image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer.
📖 The Lines (爻辭 / Yaoci)
- Line 1 初九Bottom line (1st) · Yang需于郊，利用恆，無咎。Waiting in the outskirts; it is beneficial to persevere; no fault.
- Line 2 九二2nd line · Yang需于沙，小有言，終吉。Waiting on the sand; some gossip, but good fortune in the end.
- Line 3 九三3rd line · Yang需于泥，致寇至。Waiting in the mud invites the arrival of robbers.
- Line 4 六四4th line · Yin需于血，出自穴。Waiting in blood; one climbs out of the pit.
- Line 5 九五5th line · Yang需于酒食，貞吉。Waiting with wine and food; steadfastness brings good fortune.
- Line 6 上六Top line (6th) · Yin入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。Entering the pit; three uninvited guests arrive; treat them with respect and in the end there is good fortune.
Original line texts are transcribed from Wikisource (周易). The English renderings are literal working drafts under editorial review and may change.
✨ Practical Discernment & Life Guidance
💼 Career & Vision:
Wait patiently for the opportune moment while steadily strengthening inner competence and stamina.
🤝 Relationships & Harmony:
Enjoy serene companionship and joyous meals without projecting impatient anxiety.
💰 Wealth & Foundations:
Maintain ample cash reserves and patiently await optimal market entries.