Hexagram 47
Oppression (Exhaustion)
困 (Kùn)
Lake over Water
Hexagram 47 represents a time of constraint, adversity, and limitation where resources are depleted and external circumstances create difficulty. This hexagram symbolizes the experience of being exhausted or confined, yet it teaches that true character emerges during hardship. The superior person maintains inner strength and integrity even when outer conditions are unfavorable, understanding that adversity is temporary and can lead to profound personal transformation and wisdom. Through maintaining composure and inner truth during difficult times, one develops resilience and discovers hidden reserves of strength.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed."
Hexagram 47 reveals the paradoxical nature of adversity, where constraint and limitation can ultimately lead to success through perseverance and inner development. When external circumstances become oppressive and resources are exhausted, the superior person does not collapse into despair but instead draws upon inner reserves of strength and character. This hexagram teaches that difficult times test our true nature and reveal what we are made of beneath the surface. The great person maintains integrity and composure even when surrounded by limitation, understanding that hardship is a crucible for transformation. Success comes not from fighting against circumstances but from maintaining inner truth and waiting for the proper time to act.
The warning that words are not believed during times of oppression reminds us that action speaks louder than speech when credibility is low. During adversity, others may doubt our intentions or capabilities, making verbal explanations ineffective. The wise person conserves energy, maintains silence when necessary, and demonstrates character through dignified endurance rather than empty promises. This period of constraint, though uncomfortable, serves a higher purpose by stripping away superficiality and revealing essential truth. By accepting limitation with grace and maintaining inner strength, we prepare ourselves for the eventual return of favorable conditions.
The Image (大象传)
君子以致命遂志。
Translation: "There is no water in the lake: the image of Exhaustion. Thus the superior person stakes his life on following his will."
The image of a lake without water powerfully symbolizes depletion and exhaustion, where the essential element that gives life and purpose has been drained away. This stark image represents those times when our resources, energy, or support systems have been depleted, leaving us in a state of constraint. Yet within this image lies profound wisdom about human resilience and the power of commitment to one's deepest values. The superior person, when faced with such exhaustion, does not abandon their principles or compromise their integrity. Instead, they stake everything on remaining true to their essential nature and highest aspirations, understanding that this commitment itself becomes a source of strength when external resources fail.
This teaching reveals that our greatest power during times of oppression comes from unwavering dedication to our core values and life purpose. When everything else is stripped away, what remains is the strength of our will and the clarity of our commitment. The superior person uses adversity as an opportunity to clarify what truly matters, eliminating distractions and focusing entirely on essential goals. This period of constraint, though difficult, can lead to breakthrough insights and renewed dedication to one's path in life.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Six at the Beginning (初六)
Bottom line - Yin
"One sits oppressed under a bare tree in a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing."
This line represents the deepest level of oppression where one feels completely isolated and without support or resources. You may feel stuck in a dark place with no visible way forward, experiencing a prolonged period of difficulty. The key is to avoid making hasty decisions born of desperation. Instead, conserve your energy, maintain patience, and understand that this dark period will eventually pass. Avoid seeking help from unreliable sources that might worsen your situation.
Nine in the Second Place (九二)
Second line - Yang
"One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame."
Despite having basic necessities, you feel constrained by circumstances or obligations that prevent meaningful action. Help or recognition may be approaching from official sources, but this is not the time for aggressive advancement. Focus on maintaining your position, fulfilling your duties with dignity, and preparing yourself spiritually or mentally for better times. Attempting to force progress now would lead to setbacks, but maintaining your integrity brings no blame.
Six in the Third Place (六三)
Third line - Yin
"A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone and leans on thorns and thistles. He enters his house and does not see his wife. Misfortune."
This line warns of self-created difficulties arising from poor judgment and reliance on harmful supports. You may be clinging to ideas, relationships, or strategies that actually increase your oppression rather than relieving it. The absence of support where it should naturally exist indicates fundamental misalignment. Recognize that some of your difficulties stem from your own choices and attachments. Release what harms you and seek genuine sources of support and comfort.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached."
Progress is slow and you may feel embarrassed by the gap between your aspirations and current reality, like riding in a golden carriage that moves at a crawl. Despite the humiliation of delayed advancement, persistence will eventually lead to success. Accept the slow pace with humility, understanding that timing is beyond your control. Your commitment to moving forward, however slowly, ensures that you will ultimately reach your destination and overcome current constraints.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"His nose and feet are cut off. He is oppressed by the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes gradually. It furthers one to make offerings and libations."
You face severe constraints imposed by those in authority, feeling restricted in your ability to move forward or perceive clearly. Despite these harsh limitations, gradual improvement is possible through patience and proper spiritual or mental attitude. Maintain faith in higher principles and continue fulfilling your responsibilities with sincerity. Relief comes slowly but surely as circumstances shift. Your dignified endurance during this difficult period builds character and prepares you for eventual liberation.
Six at the Top (上六)
Top line - Yin
"He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, 'Movement brings remorse.' If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes."
At the extreme point of oppression, you feel entangled and uncertain, fearing that any action will lead to regret. However, this very awareness of potential regret can motivate necessary change. The time has come to break free from constraints, even if movement feels risky. Recognize that remaining stuck guarantees continued suffering, while taking action despite uncertainty opens the path to liberation. Your willingness to move beyond paralysis brings good fortune and marks the turning point from oppression to freedom.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of the heart, hexagram 47 indicates a period of constraint and difficulty in relationships where communication may be blocked, resources depleted, or external circumstances creating pressure on the partnership. This is a time when love is tested by adversity, revealing the true strength and commitment underlying the relationship. Couples may face financial stress, family opposition, separation due to circumstances, or emotional exhaustion that strains the bond. The key is maintaining inner integrity and commitment to core values even when the relationship feels oppressive or depleted. True love demonstrates its depth during difficult times, not when everything flows easily.
For those in established relationships, this hexagram counsels patience, endurance, and focusing on what truly matters rather than superficial concerns. Avoid making major decisions or having important conversations when both parties are exhausted or stressed, as words will not be believed or properly understood. Instead, demonstrate your commitment through consistent, quiet support and maintaining your own inner strength. The relationship may feel like a lake without water, but this temporary depletion can lead to renewed appreciation and deeper connection once circumstances improve.
For singles, hexagram 47 suggests this is not an optimal time for beginning new relationships, as you may be dealing with personal constraints that limit your ability to connect authentically with others. Focus instead on developing inner strength, clarifying your values, and preparing yourself for future opportunities. Any relationships begun during this period may carry the energy of constraint and limitation. Use this time for self-reflection and personal growth rather than seeking external validation through romance.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 47 represents a challenging period where resources are limited, opportunities seem blocked, and advancement feels impossible despite your best efforts. You may face budget cuts, organizational constraints, lack of recognition, or external market conditions that restrict your ability to perform or progress. This is a time that tests your professional integrity and reveals whether your commitment to your work is based on external rewards or internal values. The superior professional maintains excellence and dedication even when circumstances are oppressive, understanding that character built during adversity becomes the foundation for future success.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram warns of resource depletion, market constraints, or operational difficulties that require careful management and conservation of energy. Avoid expansion or major initiatives during this period, as conditions do not support growth. Instead, focus on maintaining core operations, preserving essential relationships, and preparing for better times ahead. Your words and proposals may not be believed or accepted by investors, partners, or customers, so demonstrate value through consistent performance rather than promises. This period of constraint can clarify your business model and eliminate non-essential activities.
The key to navigating professional oppression is maintaining your standards and integrity while accepting temporary limitation. Continue developing your skills, fulfilling your responsibilities with excellence, and building your reputation through quiet competence rather than self-promotion. Those who maintain their commitment during difficult times position themselves for advancement when conditions improve. Use this period to clarify your professional purpose and eliminate activities that do not align with your core mission and values.
Health & Wellness (健康)
From a health perspective, hexagram 47 indicates a period of depletion, exhaustion, or constraint that requires careful attention to conservation of energy and resources. You may be experiencing fatigue, burnout, or health conditions that limit your normal activities and require you to slow down significantly. This is not a time for pushing through or ignoring your body's signals of distress. Instead, recognize that your system is depleted and needs rest, restoration, and gentle care. The image of a lake without water suggests that your vital energy reserves have been drained and must be replenished through rest, proper nutrition, and stress reduction.
This hexagram counsels acceptance of current limitations rather than fighting against them, which would only further deplete your resources. Focus on basic self-care, adequate sleep, gentle movement rather than intense exercise, and nourishing foods that rebuild your strength. Avoid taking on new commitments or responsibilities that would further tax your system. If dealing with chronic illness or recovery from injury, maintain patience and trust in gradual healing rather than expecting quick results. Your body needs time to restore itself, just as a depleted lake needs time to refill.
Mental and emotional health may also feel constrained during this period, with stress, anxiety, or depression arising from difficult circumstances. Maintain your commitment to mental wellness practices even when they feel ineffective, understanding that consistency during difficult times builds resilience. Seek support from trusted sources but recognize that some people may not understand or believe your struggles. Focus on what you can control, accept what you cannot, and trust that this period of health constraint will eventually pass as you rebuild your reserves.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 47 represents a period of constraint, limitation, and potential hardship where resources are depleted and income may be restricted. You may face unexpected expenses, reduced income, job loss, or economic conditions that create financial pressure and anxiety. This is a time that tests your relationship with money and reveals whether your sense of security is based on external resources or internal resilience. The key is managing what you have with extreme care, eliminating non-essential expenses, and maintaining your integrity even when financially stressed. Avoid desperate measures or risky schemes that promise quick relief but could worsen your situation.
This hexagram counsels radical conservation and acceptance of temporary limitation rather than fighting against financial reality through debt or unsustainable spending. Focus on meeting basic needs, preserving essential resources, and finding creative solutions to financial challenges. Your words and proposals regarding money may not be believed by lenders, investors, or partners, so demonstrate financial responsibility through actions rather than promises. This period of financial constraint can teach valuable lessons about distinguishing needs from wants and finding security within yourself rather than in external resources.
For those with investments or business interests, this is not a time for expansion, speculation, or major financial commitments. Preserve capital, maintain liquidity, and wait for more favorable conditions before making significant moves. The financial oppression you experience now is temporary, but how you handle it will determine your future financial health. Those who maintain discipline, integrity, and patience during financial hardship position themselves for recovery and eventual prosperity when circumstances improve.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 47 represents a profound opportunity for personal growth through adversity, where external constraints force you to develop inner resources and discover strengths you didn't know you possessed. This period of oppression strips away superficiality and reveals your essential character, showing you what you are truly made of beneath the surface. The challenges you face now are not punishments but rather opportunities to develop resilience, clarify your values, and strengthen your commitment to your life purpose. The superior person uses adversity as a crucible for transformation, emerging from difficulty with greater wisdom, compassion, and inner strength.
This hexagram teaches that personal growth often requires periods of constraint and limitation that force us to go deeper within ourselves rather than seeking external solutions. When outer resources are depleted, we must draw upon inner reserves of courage, faith, and determination. This process of turning inward during difficult times can lead to profound insights about your true nature, core values, and life purpose. Use this period to examine what truly matters to you, eliminate activities and relationships that do not serve your highest good, and recommit to your essential path in life.
The challenge of hexagram 47 is maintaining hope and commitment when circumstances seem hopeless and your efforts appear futile. Remember that this period of oppression is temporary and serves a higher purpose in your development. The strength you build now through patient endurance will serve you throughout your life. Focus on what you can control, accept what you cannot, and trust that maintaining your integrity during difficult times builds character that cannot be developed through ease and comfort.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing of hexagram 47 indicates a period when external conditions are unfavorable and advancement is blocked by circumstances beyond your control. This is not a time for aggressive action, major initiatives, or attempting to force progress through willpower alone. Instead, the moment calls for conservation of resources, patient endurance, and maintaining inner strength while waiting for conditions to improve. Recognize that this period of constraint is temporary, though it may last longer than you wish. Your task is not to escape oppression through desperate measures but to maintain your integrity and prepare yourself for the eventual return of favorable conditions.
The advice of this hexagram is to accept limitation with grace while refusing to compromise your core values or abandon your life purpose. Focus on what you can control, which is primarily your attitude, integrity, and commitment to your principles. Avoid wasting energy on complaints, blame, or futile attempts to change what cannot be changed. Instead, use this period to clarify your values, strengthen your character, and deepen your understanding of what truly matters. Maintain silence when your words will not be believed, and demonstrate your worth through consistent action rather than empty promises.
Remember that the superior person stakes their life on following their will, meaning that commitment to your deepest values becomes your source of strength when all else fails. This period of oppression will pass, and those who maintain their integrity during difficult times will be positioned for success when conditions improve. Trust in the cyclical nature of life, where periods of constraint alternate with periods of expansion. Your patient endurance now builds the foundation for future achievement and demonstrates the depth of your character.