Hexagram 20
Contemplation
观 (Guān)
Wind over Earth
Hexagram 20 represents the power of observation, reflection, and being a worthy example for others to contemplate. This hexagram symbolizes both the act of viewing the world with clarity and wisdom, and the responsibility of being viewed by others as a model of proper conduct. Like a tower standing high above the landscape, it embodies the dual nature of seeing and being seen, observing and being observed. The image suggests that through careful contemplation and self-cultivation, one becomes a living example that naturally influences and inspires others without force or manipulation.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Contemplation. The ablution has been made, but not yet the offering. Full of trust they look up to him."
Hexagram 20 teaches the profound wisdom of contemplation and the power of leading through example rather than force. The image of the ritual ablution represents the preparation and purification that precedes meaningful action, suggesting that the most powerful influence comes not from the final act itself, but from the sincerity and dignity displayed in preparation. When leaders demonstrate genuine devotion and careful attention to proper conduct, others naturally look up to them with trust and reverence. This hexagram reminds us that true authority emerges from inner cultivation and authentic presence, not from external displays of power or achievement.
The contemplative stance requires both humility and elevation. Like standing atop a tower to survey the landscape, we must gain perspective on our circumstances while remaining grounded in wisdom. This dual awareness allows us to see patterns, understand deeper meanings, and recognize the interconnections that escape ordinary perception. When we cultivate this quality of mindful observation in ourselves, we simultaneously become worthy of being observed by others, creating a natural cycle of influence and inspiration.
The Image (大象传)
先王以省方，观民设教。
Translation: "The wind blows over the earth: the image of Contemplation. Thus the kings of old visited the regions of the world, contemplated the people, and provided instruction."
The image of wind moving across the earth represents the invisible yet pervasive influence of contemplative awareness. Just as wind touches everything in its path without force, true observation penetrates all situations with gentle but thorough understanding. The ancient kings understood that effective leadership required direct observation of the people's actual conditions, not reliance on reports or assumptions. By personally visiting different regions and contemplating the real circumstances of their subjects, they gained the wisdom necessary to provide appropriate guidance and instruction. This practice demonstrates that genuine understanding comes from patient, direct observation rather than abstract theorizing or distant management.
The superior person learns from this image to cultivate both breadth and depth of vision. Like the wind that moves freely across the landscape, awareness must remain flexible and comprehensive, touching all aspects of a situation. This requires setting aside preconceptions and truly seeing what is present. Through such contemplation, natural wisdom arises about what instruction or action is appropriate. The teaching emerges organically from deep understanding rather than being imposed from external ideology or rigid principles.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"Boyish contemplation. For an inferior man, no blame. For a superior man, humiliation."
This line represents superficial or immature observation that lacks depth and understanding. For ordinary people with limited responsibilities, such shallow perception may be acceptable, but for those who aspire to leadership or wisdom, this represents a failure to develop proper insight. The challenge is to move beyond surface appearances and childish perspectives toward mature contemplation. Recognize when your understanding remains superficial and commit to developing deeper awareness through patient study and reflection.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"Contemplation through the crack of the door. Furthering for the perseverance of a woman."
This line indicates a limited, narrow perspective that sees only a small portion of the whole picture. Like peeping through a crack in a door, your view is restricted and potentially distorted. While such limited observation may be appropriate in certain subordinate positions where broader vision is not required, it represents an inadequate foundation for independent action or leadership. Recognize the limitations of your current perspective and seek opportunities to expand your understanding before making important decisions or judgments.
Six in the Third Place (六三)
Third line - Yin
"Contemplation of my life decides the choice between advance and retreat."
This line represents the crucial practice of self-observation and honest self-assessment. By contemplating your own life, actions, and their effects, you gain the wisdom to know when to advance and when to retreat. This is the turning point where contemplation becomes practical and personally relevant. Examine your influence on others, the results of your actions, and the direction of your development. Through such honest self-reflection, the appropriate path forward becomes clear, whether that means continuing your current course or making necessary adjustments.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"Contemplation of the light of the kingdom. It furthers one to exert influence as the guest of a king."
This line represents the opportunity to observe excellence and learn from the best examples available. By contemplating the achievements and wisdom of advanced cultures, organizations, or individuals, you gain valuable insights that can guide your own development. This is an excellent time to seek out mentors, study successful models, or position yourself where you can observe and learn from those who have achieved mastery. Use these observations to refine your own understanding and capabilities.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"Contemplation of my life. The superior man is without blame."
The ruler's line emphasizes the responsibility of those in positions of influence to maintain constant self-examination. As a leader or person of influence, you must continually contemplate your own conduct and its effects on others. Your life serves as an example that others observe and potentially emulate, making self-awareness and integrity essential. By maintaining this practice of honest self-contemplation and ensuring your actions align with your highest principles, you fulfill your responsibility and remain blameless. Your example naturally inspires and guides others.
Nine at the Top (上九)
Top line - Yang
"Contemplation of his life. The superior man is without blame."
The highest line represents the sage who has transcended personal concerns and contemplates life from a universal perspective. No longer focused solely on personal advancement, this position allows observation of the broader patterns and deeper meanings that govern human existence. From this elevated vantage point, you can see how individual lives fit into larger contexts and understand the principles that guide harmonious development. This wisdom, gained through years of contemplation and self-cultivation, naturally benefits all who encounter it without any need for active intervention.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of love and relationships, hexagram 20 emphasizes the importance of truly seeing and understanding your partner rather than projecting your own desires or expectations onto them. This is a time for patient observation and deep listening, allowing you to perceive the authentic person before you. Successful relationships now depend on your ability to contemplate your partner's true nature, needs, and aspirations with clarity and compassion. Rather than rushing to change or fix things, simply observe with an open heart and mind, allowing genuine understanding to develop naturally over time.
For those seeking love, this hexagram suggests that you will attract the right partner by becoming a person worthy of contemplation yourself. Focus on self-cultivation and developing the qualities you wish to see in a relationship. As you become more authentic, centered, and self-aware, you naturally become more attractive to others who value these qualities. Your example speaks louder than any words or active pursuit. Allow potential partners to observe who you truly are rather than presenting a false or exaggerated image designed to impress.
In existing relationships, practice the art of contemplating your own behavior and its effects on your partner. Are you being the person you aspire to be? Does your conduct inspire trust and respect? By maintaining this practice of honest self-observation while also truly seeing your partner, you create the foundation for deep intimacy and mutual growth. Remember that the most powerful influence in relationships comes not from criticism or demands, but from being a living example of love, patience, and understanding.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 20 indicates a period where observation and learning take precedence over aggressive action. This is an excellent time to study your industry, observe successful leaders and organizations, and contemplate the deeper patterns that lead to sustainable success. Rather than rushing to implement new strategies or make dramatic changes, take time to truly understand your business environment, your team's dynamics, and the needs of your customers or clients. The insights gained through patient contemplation will prove far more valuable than hasty action based on incomplete understanding.
For those in leadership positions, this hexagram emphasizes the power of leading by example. Your team members are constantly observing your behavior, decisions, and reactions to challenges. Ensure that what they see inspires trust, respect, and emulation. Demonstrate the qualities you wish to see in your organization through your own conduct. This means maintaining integrity even when no one is watching, showing patience under pressure, and treating all people with dignity and respect. Your example will influence organizational culture more powerfully than any policy or directive.
For entrepreneurs and business developers, contemplate successful business models and learn from those who have achieved what you aspire to accomplish. Visit thriving organizations, study their practices, and observe how they handle challenges and opportunities. This is also a time to examine your own business practices honestly, assessing what works and what needs improvement. Allow this contemplative period to inform your strategy, ensuring that your actions are based on genuine understanding rather than assumptions or wishful thinking. The wisdom gained now will guide future success.
Health & Wellness (健康)
In health matters, hexagram 20 encourages mindful observation of your body's signals and patterns. Rather than ignoring symptoms or rushing to treat every discomfort, take time to contemplate what your body is communicating. Notice how different foods, activities, and stress levels affect your wellbeing. This practice of patient self-observation allows you to understand your unique constitution and needs, leading to more effective and personalized health strategies. Keep a journal to track patterns and gain insights that might otherwise escape notice in the rush of daily life.
This hexagram also suggests learning from healthy role models and observing what practices contribute to their vitality and wellbeing. Study the habits of people who maintain excellent health and energy, contemplating how you might adapt their wisdom to your own circumstances. This might involve observing their eating patterns, exercise routines, stress management techniques, or approaches to work-life balance. The key is not to blindly imitate, but to contemplate what principles underlie their success and how those principles might be applied in ways that suit your individual situation.
For mental and emotional health, practice contemplative activities such as meditation, journaling, or spending time in nature. These practices create space for self-observation and deeper understanding of your psychological patterns and emotional triggers. By developing the ability to observe your thoughts and feelings without immediately reacting to them, you gain greater emotional stability and mental clarity. This contemplative approach to mental health allows you to respond to challenges with wisdom rather than reacting from habit or conditioning.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 20 advises a period of careful observation and analysis before making significant monetary decisions. This is not the time for impulsive investments or major financial commitments. Instead, contemplate your current financial situation with complete honesty, examining your spending patterns, income sources, and long-term financial goals. Study successful investors and financial managers, observing the principles and practices that have led to their prosperity. The insights gained through this contemplative approach will prove far more valuable than chasing quick profits or following popular trends without understanding.
This hexagram also emphasizes the importance of being a worthy example in financial matters. If you manage money for others or influence financial decisions in your family or organization, ensure that your conduct demonstrates integrity, prudence, and wisdom. Others are observing how you handle resources, make financial choices, and respond to both abundance and scarcity. Your example will influence their financial behaviors and attitudes more powerfully than any advice you might offer. Demonstrate the financial discipline and wisdom you wish to see in others.
For wealth building, contemplate the difference between sustainable prosperity and temporary gains. Observe how truly wealthy individuals and families maintain and grow their resources across generations. Notice that lasting financial success typically comes from patient accumulation, wise stewardship, and ethical practices rather than speculation or shortcuts. Use this period to develop a financial philosophy based on sound principles and long-term thinking. The foundation you build through contemplation now will support financial stability and growth for years to come.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 20 represents a powerful opportunity for personal development through self-observation and contemplation. This is a time to step back from constant activity and examine your life with honest awareness. Contemplate your values, behaviors, relationships, and the direction of your development. Are you becoming the person you aspire to be? Do your daily actions align with your deepest values? This practice of honest self-contemplation reveals areas where growth is needed and illuminates the path forward. Create regular time for reflection, whether through meditation, journaling, or quiet walks in nature.
The hexagram also encourages you to seek out worthy examples and learn from those who embody the qualities you wish to develop. Observe people who demonstrate wisdom, compassion, integrity, or other virtues you admire. Study their approaches to challenges, their decision-making processes, and the principles that guide their lives. This is not about imitation, but about understanding the underlying wisdom that manifests in their conduct. Through such contemplation, you gain insights that can inform your own development and help you cultivate similar qualities in ways authentic to your unique nature and circumstances.
Remember that personal growth in this hexagram works both ways: as you develop greater self-awareness and cultivate admirable qualities, you naturally become an example for others. Your life becomes a teaching that influences those around you without any need for preaching or forcing your views on others. This creates a beautiful cycle where contemplation leads to self-improvement, which inspires others, which in turn motivates continued growth. Focus on being worthy of contemplation, and your influence will naturally extend to benefit others while continuing to deepen your own wisdom and character.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing of hexagram 20 favors observation, reflection, and learning over aggressive action or rapid advancement. This is a period for gaining perspective, deepening understanding, and cultivating the inner qualities that will support future success. Rather than pushing forward with new initiatives, take time to contemplate your current situation, study successful models, and observe the patterns and principles that govern your field of endeavor. The wisdom gained through patient contemplation now will prove invaluable when the time for action arrives. Trust that this reflective period is not wasted time but essential preparation.
The key advice of this hexagram is to focus on being rather than doing. Cultivate the qualities and understanding that make you worthy of being observed and emulated by others. This means maintaining integrity in all circumstances, demonstrating patience and wisdom in your responses to challenges, and treating all people with respect and dignity. Your example will influence others far more powerfully than any words or active efforts to change them. By becoming a living demonstration of the principles you value, you create natural influence that extends without force or manipulation.
Finally, maintain the dual awareness of seeing and being seen. Observe the world with clarity and depth, seeking to understand rather than judge. Simultaneously, remain aware that others are observing you, and ensure that what they see reflects your highest values and aspirations. This consciousness creates a natural discipline that supports continuous growth and authentic influence. Trust in the power of contemplation to reveal wisdom, and in the power of example to inspire positive change in yourself and others. The insights and influence that develop through this approach will prove both profound and lasting.