观 Guān Contemplation (Observation) [hexagram 20]

Wood element

大壮 Dà zhuàng [34] Great power; Powerful

Opposite

临 Lín [19] Advance; Approach

Inverse

剥 Bō [23] Disintegration; Splitting apart

Mutual

The Decision

In contemplation, hands have been washed prior to making the offering with sincerity and due reverence.

The highest virtue is above, in its correct place, showing meekness and due reverence, observing all under heaven. ‘In contemplation, hands have been washed prior to making an offering with sincerity and due reverence’ – in this way those observing are transformed. It is the way of Heaven to cycle the seasons faultlessly. The wise if duly instructed by the Way can achieve anything.

观: 盥而不荐, 有孚颙若. Guān: guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò.

彖传: 大观在上, 顺而巽, 中正以观天下. 观, 盥而不荐, 有孚颙若, 下观而化也. 观天之神道, 而四时不忒, 圣人以神道设教, 而天下服矣. Tuàn zhuàn: Dà guān zài shàng, shùn ér xùn, zhōng zhèng yǐ guān tiān xià. guān, guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò, xià guān ér huà yě. guān tiān zhī shén dào, ér sì shí bù tè, shèng rén yǐ shén dào shè jiào, ér tiān xià fú yǐ.

The Image

Wind blows gently over the earth in ‘Contemplation’. Ancient rulers studied their realms, observing the people and gave them guidance.

象传: 风行地上, 观; 先王以省方, 观民设教. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēng xíng dì shang, guān; xiān wáng yǐ xǐng fāng, guān mín shè jiào.

Line Change 1

益 Yì [42] Increase; Gain

A childlike look, blameless for the unenterprising but for those seeking virtue an embarrassment.

‘A childlike look’ – showing the tendency of the enterprising.

初六: 童观, 小人无咎, 君子吝. Chū liù: tóng guān, xiǎo rén wú jiù, jūn zǐ lìn.

象传: 初六童观, 小人道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Chū liù tóng guān, xiǎo rén dào yě.

Line Change 2

涣 Huàn [59] Dispersion; Scattering

Peeping through a crack in the door; favorable to maintaining dignity of the observed.

‘Peeping through a crack in the door; favorable to maintaining proper distance’ – shameful for those aspiring to virtue.

六二: 窥观, 利女贞. Liù èr: kuī guān, lì nǚ zhēn.

象传: 窥观女贞, 亦可丑也. Xiàng zhuàn: Kuī guān nǚ zhēn, yì kě chǒu yě.

Line Change 3

渐 Jiàn [53] Gradual development; Progression

Contemplating one’s own life leads to progress or setback.

‘Contemplating one’s own life leads to progress or setback’ – the true path should be followed.

六三: 观我生, 进退. Liù sān: guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì.

象传: 观我生, 进退; 未失道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì; wèi shī dào yě.

Line Change 4

否 Pǐ [12] Stagnation; Hindrance

Reflecting on the nation’s splendor, it is beneficial to seek the friendship of the leader.

‘Reflecting on the nation’s splendor’ – gives rise to the wish for involvement in governance.

六四: 观国之光, 利用宾于王. Liù sì: guān guó zhī guāng, lì yòng bīn yú wáng.

象传: 观国之光, 尚宾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān guó zhī guāng, shàng bīn yě.

Line Change 5

剥 Bō [23] Disintegration; Splitting apart

Contemplating one’s own journey through life. Such action by the aspiring does no harm.

‘Contemplating one’s own journey through life’ – as well as studying others.

九五: 观我生, 君子无咎. Jiǔ wǔ: guān wǒ shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.

象传: 观我生, 观民也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, guān mín yě.

Line Change 6

比 Bǐ [8] Belonging; Union

Assessing whether past actions were noble. A blameless action.

‘Assessing past actions’ – never quite at ease.

上九: 观其生, 君子无咎. Shàng jiǔ: guān qí shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.

象传: 观其生, 志未平也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān qí shēng, zhì wèi píng yě.