Hexagram 18 · 蛊 · Gǔ
Work on the Decayed
- Element:
- Mountain over Wind
- Key themes:
- reform, renewal, correction, restoration, challenges
Image
Wind blowing over a mountain, symbolizing the need to address decay and corruption to restore harmony.
Overall message
Hexagram 18 represents the need to address decay and corruption to restore harmony and balance. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing problems, taking decisive action, and seeking support to implement effective reforms. Success comes from facing challenges head-on, persisting through resistance, and maintaining vigilance to prevent future decay.
Confront and address decay or corruption in your life or environment. Take decisive action to reform and renew. Success comes from facing challenges head-on and restoring balance through careful and deliberate efforts.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. Kû indicates great progress and success (to him who deals properly with the condition represented by it). There will be advantage in (efforts like that of) crossing the great stream. (He should weigh well, however, the events of) three days before the turning point, and those (to be done) three days after it.
Image. (The trigram for) a mountain, and below it that for wind, form Kû. The superior man, in accordance with this, (addresses himself to) help the people and nourish his own virtue.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · Completion of Renewal
The process of renewal is complete. Reflect on the lessons learned.
Reflect on the process and the lessons learned. Ensure that the decay does not return by maintaining vigilance.
Line 5 · Implementing Reform
Implement reforms to restore harmony and balance.
Take comprehensive action to reform and renew. Ensure that your efforts are thorough and effective.
Line 4 · Seeking Help
Seek assistance from others to address the decay.
Collaborate with others. Seek support and guidance to effectively address the problem.
Line 3 · Overcoming Resistance
Resistance to change may arise. Persistence is key.
Stay persistent and focused. Overcome resistance with determination and patience.
Line 2 · Taking Action
Begin the process of addressing the decay. Take corrective action.
Take decisive steps to correct the situation. Be proactive and determined.
Line 1 · Recognizing Decay
The first step is to recognize the presence of decay or corruption.
Acknowledge the problem. Be honest about the need for reform and renewal.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 17 · 随 · Suí. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 54 · 归妹 · Guī Mèi. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 26 · 大畜 · Dà Chù
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 52 · 艮 · Gèn
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 4 · 蒙 · Méng
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 50 · 鼎 · Dǐng
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 57 · 巽 · Xùn
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 46 · 升 · Shēng