Hexagram 64
Wei ChiBefore Completion
Fire (Li) · Water (Kan)
The image
Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition. Thus the superior man is careful In the differentiation of things, So that each finds its place.
This hexagram in one line
This hexagram indicates a time when the transition from disorder to order is not yet completed. The change is indeed prepared for, since all the lines in the upper trigram are in relation to those in the lower. However, they are not yet in their places. While the preceding hexagram offers an analogy to autumn, which forms the transition from summer to winter, this hexagram presents a parallel to spring, which leads out of winter's stagnation into the fruitful time of summer. With this hopeful outlook the Book of Changes comes to its close.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Fire rests on water
Hexagram Judgment
BEFORE COMPLETION. Success. But if the little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, Gets his tail in the water, There is nothing that would further.
The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times “before completion,” deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Fire (Li)
- Fire · Clinging
- Water (Kan)
- Water · Abysmal
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
Before Completion means success. The yielding is in the middle. The little fox, after nearly completing the crossing, gets his tail in the water: he has not yet gotten out of the middle. Although the places are not the appropriate ones, hard and soft correspond to each other.
Before Completion means success because the yielding attains the middle. The little fox nearly crosses but still wets its tail because it has not yet left the center of danger. Nothing furthers because the end cannot be carried through. Though the lines are not in their proper places, hard and soft still respond to one another.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
Fire over water: The image of the condition before transition. Thus the superior man is careful In the differentiation of things, So that each finds its place.
When fire, which by nature flames upward, is above, and water, which flows downward, is below, their effects take opposite directions and remain unrelated. If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect, and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly.
Further
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Frequently asked questions
What does Wei Chi / Before Completion mean in the I Ching?
The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. Bu...
How should I study Hexagram 64 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. In times of disorder there is a temptation to advance oneself as rapidly as possible in order to accomplish something tangible. But this enthusiasm leads only to failure and humili...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Before Completion means success because the yielding attains the middle. The little fox nearly crosses but still wets its tail because it has not yet left the center of danger. Nothing furthers because the end cannot be...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.