Hexagram 29
The Abysmal (Water)
坎 (Kǎn)
Water over Water
Hexagram 29 represents the doubled trigram of water, symbolizing danger, depth, and the necessity of maintaining inner strength during challenging times. This hexagram embodies the image of water flowing into an abyss, teaching us about courage, sincerity, and perseverance when facing repeated obstacles. Like water that flows continuously despite barriers, this hexagram emphasizes maintaining one's course with confidence and integrity. The doubled water signifies that danger is real and present, yet by remaining true to one's principles and moving forward with sincerity, one can navigate through the most treacherous circumstances successfully and emerge stronger on the other side.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds."
Hexagram 29 confronts us with the reality of repeated danger and difficulty, yet offers profound wisdom about navigating such treacherous waters. The key to success lies not in avoiding danger but in maintaining inner sincerity and confidence while moving through it. Like water that never loses its essential nature regardless of the obstacles it encounters, we must preserve our integrity and continue forward with unwavering determination. The hexagram teaches that when danger is repeated, superficial responses fail; only genuine sincerity of heart and steadfast adherence to what is right will carry us through. Success comes not from external circumstances changing, but from maintaining inner clarity and purpose despite outer turbulence.
The doubled water trigram emphasizes that this is not a momentary challenge but a sustained period requiring endurance and faith. Water's nature is to flow continuously, finding its way around obstacles, filling the lowest places, and eventually reaching its destination. Similarly, when we face repeated difficulties, we must adopt water's qualities: flexibility without losing direction, persistence without rigidity, and the ability to adapt while maintaining our essential character. The promise of success comes to those who remain sincere in heart and consistent in action, trusting that their efforts will ultimately prevail.
The Image (大象传)
君子以常德行，习教事。
Translation: "Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the superior person walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching."
The image of water flowing continuously, arriving wave after wave, provides the central metaphor for understanding this hexagram's wisdom. Water never stops flowing; it persists through every obstacle, wearing down the hardest stone through patient repetition. The superior person learns from this natural principle, understanding that virtue must be practiced constantly, not just when convenient. In times of danger and difficulty, it becomes even more crucial to maintain consistent ethical behavior and to share wisdom with others. Teaching and learning become acts of courage when circumstances are challenging, yet these are precisely the times when such activities are most valuable and necessary for maintaining human dignity and progress.
By walking in lasting virtue, the superior person creates an inner stability that external dangers cannot shake. This consistent practice of goodness becomes like water's persistent flow, gradually shaping the landscape of one's life and influencing others positively. The business of teaching mentioned here refers not only to formal instruction but to the ongoing work of cultivating wisdom and sharing it generously, even when facing personal peril. This commitment to growth and contribution provides meaning and direction during difficult times.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune."
This line warns against becoming accustomed to danger to the point of carelessness. When you have faced difficulties repeatedly, there is a temptation to become complacent or to lose your vigilance. Falling into habitual patterns when navigating dangerous situations leads to deeper trouble. Stay alert and maintain your awareness even when challenges seem familiar. Do not let repeated exposure to difficulty dull your caution or cause you to take unnecessary risks that could lead to greater misfortune.
Nine in the Second Place (九二)
Second line - Yang
"The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to attain small things only."
In the midst of danger, this line counsels moderation and realistic expectations. This is not the time for grand ambitions or dramatic gestures. Instead, focus on small, achievable goals that help you navigate through difficulty safely. Each modest success builds your position and prepares you for eventual emergence from danger. Be content with incremental progress rather than seeking breakthrough achievements. Patience and humility serve you better than bold action when surrounded by peril and uncertainty in your current circumstances.
Six in the Third Place (六三)
Third line - Yin
"Forward and backward, abyss on abyss. In danger like this, pause at first and wait, otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss. Do not act in this way."
This line describes a situation where danger surrounds you from all directions, making any movement risky. The wisdom here is to recognize when action itself becomes dangerous and to have the courage to pause and wait. Sometimes the bravest choice is stillness rather than movement. Do not force progress when every path leads to greater peril. Instead, conserve your energy, maintain your position, and wait for circumstances to shift before proceeding. Premature action in such conditions only deepens your difficulties and exhausts your resources unnecessarily.
Six in the Fourth Place (六四)
Fourth line - Yin
"A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it; earthen vessels simply handed in through the window. There is certainly no blame in this."
In times of danger, simplicity and sincerity matter more than elaborate ceremony or impressive displays. This line teaches that genuine connection and honest communication can occur even in the most constrained circumstances. Offer what you have with authenticity, even if it seems modest or unconventional. The simple act of sharing, done with true heart, creates bonds and provides sustenance during difficult times. Focus on substance over form, and on genuine human connection rather than social propriety when navigating through challenging periods.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"The abyss is not filled to overflowing. It is filled only to the rim. No blame."
This favorable line indicates that while danger is present, it has reached its limit and will not increase further. The water fills the abyss to the brim but does not overflow, suggesting that the worst has passed and stability is achievable. Maintain your current course with confidence, knowing that you have weathered the storm. Do not expect complete resolution immediately, but recognize that you have reached a plateau of safety. Continue with steady effort and sincere heart, and you will emerge from this period without blame or lasting harm.
Six at the Top (上六)
Top line - Yin
"Bound with cords and ropes, shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: for three years one does not find the way. Misfortune."
The top line warns of becoming trapped by circumstances or one's own mistakes when in danger. This represents a prolonged period of restriction and difficulty resulting from losing one's way. When you have strayed too far from the path of sincerity and right action, recovery becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming. The three years symbolize an extended period of consequence. This line serves as a serious warning to maintain your principles and avoid actions that could lead to such entrapment. Prevention through right conduct is far easier than escape once ensnared.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of the heart, hexagram 29 indicates a challenging period requiring deep sincerity and commitment to navigate successfully. Relationships may face repeated tests or obstacles that strain the bond between partners. The key to survival and eventual strengthening of the relationship lies in maintaining honest communication and unwavering dedication to each other despite difficulties. Like water flowing persistently toward its destination, love must continue flowing even when the path seems blocked. This is not a time for superficial gestures or fair-weather affection, but for demonstrating the depth of your commitment through consistent presence and authentic care during troubled times.
For those seeking new relationships, this hexagram suggests that you may encounter potential partners during challenging circumstances, or that new relationships will be tested early. Approach romantic connections with sincerity and realistic expectations, understanding that genuine bonds are forged through shared difficulties as much as through joyful moments. Do not be discouraged by obstacles; instead, view them as opportunities to demonstrate your character and to discover whether a potential partner possesses the depth and integrity necessary for lasting partnership. Superficial attractions will not survive the tests indicated by this hexagram.
The wisdom of water teaches that relationships, like rivers, must sometimes navigate narrow gorges and turbulent rapids before reaching calmer waters. Maintain your essential nature of love and care even when circumstances make expression difficult. Small, consistent acts of kindness and loyalty matter more than grand romantic gestures during this period. Trust that by remaining true to your heart and committed to the relationship's wellbeing, you will eventually emerge into a period of greater ease and deeper mutual understanding, with a bond strengthened by having weathered storms together.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 29 indicates a period of significant challenges and obstacles in your career or business endeavors. You may face repeated setbacks, difficult market conditions, or organizational turbulence that tests your resolve and capabilities. The path to success requires maintaining your professional integrity and continuing to perform your duties with excellence despite discouraging circumstances. Like water that persistently flows around obstacles, you must remain flexible in your methods while staying true to your core professional values and long-term objectives. This is a time when your character and competence will be tested, and those who maintain sincerity and consistent effort will ultimately prevail while others falter.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram warns of dangerous market conditions or operational challenges that require careful navigation. Avoid overambitious expansion or risky ventures during this period. Instead, focus on maintaining your core business, preserving resources, and building relationships based on trust and mutual benefit. Small, steady progress is preferable to dramatic moves that could lead to greater peril. Your reputation for reliability and ethical conduct becomes your greatest asset when navigating through business difficulties. Invest in learning and skill development, as these internal improvements will serve you well when external conditions eventually improve and new opportunities arise.
The teaching function mentioned in the Image section applies to mentoring colleagues, sharing knowledge, and maintaining professional standards even when under pressure. By continuing to contribute positively to your professional community during difficult times, you build lasting relationships and establish yourself as someone of substance and reliability. These connections and this reputation will prove invaluable as circumstances shift. Remember that careers are built over decades, not months, and that maintaining your course with integrity during challenging periods creates the foundation for future advancement and success in your chosen field.
Health & Wellness (健康)
From a health perspective, hexagram 29 suggests a period requiring careful attention to both physical and mental wellbeing as you navigate through stressful circumstances. The repeated danger indicated by this hexagram can manifest as chronic stress, recurring health issues, or the challenge of maintaining healthy habits during difficult times. The wisdom of water teaches that you must continue flowing toward health even when obstacles appear. Maintain consistent self-care practices, even if they must be simplified or adapted to current circumstances. Small, regular actions to support your health matter more than occasional dramatic efforts. Drink water, rest adequately, and move your body gently but regularly to maintain your vitality through challenging periods.
Mental and emotional health require particular attention when facing repeated difficulties. The danger of becoming overwhelmed or falling into despair is real and must be addressed with sincerity and consistent effort. Develop practices that help you maintain inner calm and clarity despite outer turbulence. Meditation, journaling, time in nature, or conversations with trusted friends can serve as anchors during stormy times. Seek professional support if you find yourself struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges. There is no shame in asking for help when navigating dangerous waters; indeed, it demonstrates the wisdom and self-awareness that this hexagram encourages.
For those dealing with chronic illness or ongoing health challenges, this hexagram acknowledges the difficulty of your situation while encouraging persistent, patient effort toward wellness. Recovery may be slow and may involve setbacks, but maintaining your commitment to healing and self-care will eventually lead to improvement. Focus on what you can control, accept what you cannot, and trust in your body's inherent wisdom and resilience. Like water that gradually wears away stone, your consistent efforts toward health will produce results over time, even if progress seems imperceptible in the moment.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 29 warns of a dangerous period requiring extreme caution and conservative management of resources. This is not a time for speculative investments, major purchases, or financial risk-taking of any kind. Like water flowing through a narrow gorge, your financial resources must be carefully channeled and protected from waste or loss. Focus on preserving capital, reducing unnecessary expenses, and building emergency reserves if possible. The repeated nature of the danger suggests that financial challenges may persist for some time, making it essential to adopt sustainable practices rather than seeking quick fixes or hoping for sudden windfalls that are unlikely to materialize during this period.
If you are facing debt, job insecurity, or other financial pressures, approach these challenges with sincerity and systematic effort. Create a realistic budget, communicate honestly with creditors if necessary, and seek professional financial advice if your situation is complex or overwhelming. Small, consistent actions to improve your financial position will accumulate over time into significant progress. Avoid the temptation to take desperate measures or to ignore problems in the hope they will resolve themselves. Like water that finds its level, financial situations eventually stabilize, but your active participation in managing the process with integrity and persistence determines how quickly and successfully this stabilization occurs.
For those in stable financial positions, this hexagram counsels using your resources wisely and perhaps helping others who are struggling. The teaching function applies here as well; sharing financial knowledge and supporting others through difficult times creates goodwill and strengthens community bonds. However, be cautious about lending money or making financial commitments that could jeopardize your own security. Generosity must be balanced with prudence during dangerous times. Focus on building skills and knowledge that will serve you in the long term, as these internal assets cannot be taken away and will prove valuable when external conditions improve.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 29 presents profound opportunities for personal growth through the crucible of difficulty and repeated challenge. The dangers you face serve as teachers, revealing your true character and showing you where you need to develop greater strength, wisdom, or resilience. Like water that becomes purified by flowing through layers of earth and stone, you can emerge from this period refined and strengthened if you maintain sincerity and continue your inner work despite outer turbulence. This is a time for developing the qualities of courage, persistence, and faith in yourself and in the ultimate meaningfulness of your journey. The growth that occurs during difficult times often proves more valuable and lasting than development during easy periods.
The practice of walking in lasting virtue, as described in the Image section, becomes your primary spiritual discipline during this time. Commit to daily practices that align you with your highest values and deepest wisdom. Whether through meditation, prayer, study, creative expression, or service to others, maintain activities that nourish your soul and remind you of what matters most. These practices provide stability and meaning when external circumstances feel chaotic or threatening. They also develop inner resources that will serve you throughout your life. The superior person uses times of danger to deepen their character and to cultivate qualities that cannot be developed during times of ease and comfort.
Teaching and learning take on special significance during this period of personal growth. Share what you have learned with others who may benefit from your experience and wisdom. Simultaneously, remain open to learning from your difficulties and from those who have navigated similar challenges successfully. This exchange of wisdom creates meaning and connection during difficult times while accelerating your development. Remember that personal growth is not linear; it involves setbacks and struggles as well as breakthroughs and insights. Trust the process, maintain your sincerity, and continue flowing forward like water, confident that you are becoming stronger and wiser through your experiences.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing indicated by hexagram 29 is one of sustained challenge requiring patience, courage, and unwavering commitment to your principles. This is not a brief difficulty that will pass quickly, but rather a period that may extend for some time, testing your endurance and resolve. The advice is clear: maintain your sincerity, continue your efforts, and trust that persistent flow in the right direction will eventually lead you through and beyond current dangers. Do not expect immediate resolution or dramatic improvement. Instead, focus on daily progress, small victories, and the gradual accumulation of positive actions that will eventually shift your circumstances. Like water that flows continuously until it reaches the sea, your consistent effort will ultimately achieve its goal.
The hexagram counsels against both reckless action and passive resignation. Neither extreme serves you well when navigating dangerous waters. Instead, adopt the middle way of water: flexible yet persistent, yielding yet unstoppable, adapting to circumstances while never losing sight of your destination. When the path forward is clear, move with confidence. When obstacles block your way, pause and wait for conditions to shift, or find an alternative route around the difficulty. Maintain your awareness and your sincerity at all times. The promise of this hexagram is that those who remain true to themselves and continue their efforts with genuine heart will succeed, regardless of how long the journey takes or how many obstacles appear.
Finally, remember that this period of danger and difficulty serves a purpose in your larger life journey. The challenges you face now are developing qualities and wisdom that you will need in the future. The relationships you build through shared struggle will prove deeper and more reliable than fair-weather friendships. The self-knowledge you gain by discovering what you are truly capable of enduring and overcoming becomes an unshakable foundation for future confidence and achievement. Trust in the process, maintain your integrity, and continue flowing forward with the persistent, patient power of water. Success will come to those who remain sincere in heart and consistent in action.