Hexagram 2Upper Kun · EarthLower Kun · Earth

Kun · The Receptive Earth

坤卦 · 坤为地

Acceptance
Support
Going with the flow
Patience

The Judgment

Khwăn (represents) what is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man (here intended) has to make any movement, if he take the initiative, he will go astray; if he follow, he will find his (proper) lord. The advantageousness will be seen in his getting friends in the south-west, and losing friends in the north-east. If he rest in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.

元亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷后得主。利西南得朋，东北丧朋。安贞吉。

The Image

The earth's nature is receptive. The noble one, in the same way, carries all things with generous virtue.

地势坤，君子以厚德载物。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

This is not the moment to lead from the front. It is a time to receive, support and turn plans into results. All six lines of Kun are yin, solid and quiet like the earth: its power lies not in sharpness but in stamina and capacity. You may feel you are only following, yet the people who quietly carry the load are often the ones holding everything together.

Where to put your effort

Find a direction or a person worth following, then commit to supporting it. Feeling lost at first is fine; follow the right lead and things will become clear. Put your energy into building and doing, leave room for others, and do not compete for the spotlight. Meet different people and opinions with generosity, and your value will be recognised over time.

Four areas of life

Career: Your kindness earns you a wide reputation.
Wealth: You will come home with a full load.
Family: A stable household; very good for marriage.
Health: Gentle exercise suits you.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Six at the beginningIn the first line, divided, (we see its subject) treading on hoarfrost. The strong ice will come (by and by).Moving

初六：履霜，坚冰至。

Image：Treading on frost, solid ice is coming: yin begins to set. Follow this path and it leads to hard ice.

Career: You rise from a humble start; do not rush.
Wealth: Steady saving can make you rich.
Family: Too much yin is unfavourable; not good for marriage.
Health: A cold condition that becomes hard to treat if left too long.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, (shows the attribute of) being straight, square, and great. (Its operation), without repeated efforts, will be in every respect advantageous.Moving

六二：直方大，不习，无不利。

Image：The movement of six in the second place is straight and square. Without practice, nothing fails: the way of earth shines.

Career: Achievement and recognition are within reach.
Wealth: Profit can be expected.
Family: Home life goes as you wish; marriage goes smoothly.
Health: You will recover even without medicine.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, (shows its subject) keeping his excellence under restraint, but firmly maintaining it. If he should have occasion to engage in the king's service, though he will not claim the success (for himself), he will bring affairs to a good issue.Moving

六三：含章可贞。或从王事，无成有终。

Image：Hiding your brilliance and staying firm: you will shine when the time comes. Serving the king: your wisdom is great.

Career: Wait for the right time and your position is secure.
Wealth: Seize the moment and profit will follow.
Family: Bring the family together around a shared centre.
Health: Cannot be reversed; a bad sign.

Six in the fourth placeThe fourth line, divided, (shows the symbol of) a sack tied up. There will be no ground for blame or for praise.Moving

六四：括囊，无咎无誉。

Image：A tied-up sack brings no blame: caution does no harm.

Career: Hold back; simply aim to avoid mistakes.
Wealth: Lock in your gains and stop investing for now.
Family: Peace and safety are the real blessing.
Health: Take careful care of yourself.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, (shows) the yellow lower garment. There will be great good fortune.Moving

六五：黄裳，元吉。

Image：A yellow lower garment, supreme good fortune: refinement lies within.

Career: Great recognition.
Wealth: Profit is certain.
Family: Harmony and happiness at home.
Health: Watch your stomach and digestion.

Six at the topThe sixth line, divided, (shows) dragons fighting in the wild. Their blood is purple and yellow.Moving

上六：龙战于野，其血玄黄。

Image：Dragons fight in the wild: the path has reached its end.

Career: A dead end.
Wealth: You may lose everything you put in.
Family: Disorder and discord.
Health: Liver and blood out of balance; serious.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

Free during beta

Bring your own question to the AI

The classics speak in general terms; your situation is specific. Bring the question on your mind, cast a Plum Blossom Divination reading, and let the AI help you think it through.

Ask DeepHeart free →