Hexagram 5 · ䷄
Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to t...
All beings have need of nourishment from above. But the gift of food comes in its own time, and for this one must wait. This hexagram shows the clouds in the heavens, giving rain to refresh all that grows and to provide mankind with food and drink. The rain will come in its own time. We cannot make it come; we have to wait for it. The idea of waiting is further suggested by the attributes of the two trigrams—strength within, danger in front. Strength in the face of danger does not plunge ahead but bides its time, whereas weakness in the face of danger grows agitated and has not the patience to wait.
WAITING. If you are sincere, You have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune and bestows power to cross the great water. One is faced with a danger that has to be overcome. Weakness and impatience can do nothing. Only a strong man can stand up to his fate, for his inner security enables him to endure to the end. This strength shows itself in uncompromising truthfulness [with himself]. It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognized. This recognition must be followed by resolute and persevering action. For only the man who goes to meet his fate resolutely is equipped to deal with it adequately. Then he will be able to cross the great water—that is to say, he will be capable of making the necessary decision and of surmounting the danger.
Waiting means that danger lies ahead. Firmness and strength do not sink into danger; therefore one is not exhausted. In Waiting there is sincerity, radiant success, and good fortune through perseverance, because one holds the central and correct place. It furthers one to cross the great river, for going forward brings achievement.
Waiting does not mean passivity; it means recognizing that danger is ahead and not rushing into it. Strength held in reserve, together with sincerity and self-command, makes eventual progress possible.
Clouds rise up to heaven: The image of WAITING. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, Is joyous and of good cheer.
When clouds rise in the sky, it is a sign that it will rain. There is nothing to do but to wait until the rain falls. It is the same in life when destiny is at work. We should not worry and seek to shape the future by interfering in things before the time is ripe. We should quietly fortify the body with food and drink and the mind with gladness and good cheer. Fate comes when it will, and thus we are ready.
Waiting in the meadow. It furthers one to abide in what endures. No blame.
The danger is not yet close. One is still waiting on the open plain. Conditions are still simple, yet there is a feeling of something impending. One must continue to lead a regular life as long as possible. Only in this way does one guard against a premature waste of strength, keep free of blame and error that would become a source of weakness later on.
Small Image
At the edge of the wilderness, one remains correct and waits for the proper time.
Waiting in the open country means not rushing ahead before the time is ripe.
Waiting on the sand. There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.
The danger gradually comes closer. Sand is near the bank of the river, and the water means danger. Disagreements crop up. General unrest can easily develop in such times, and we lay the blame on one another. He who stays calm will succeed in making things go well in the end. Slander will be silenced if we do not gratify it with injured retorts.
Small Image
Waiting at the hill shows one has strayed from the proper path but still seeks guidance.
Waiting on the sand shows some movement toward danger, though disaster is not yet fixed.
Waiting in the mud Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
Mud is no place for waiting, since it is already being washed by the water of the stream. Instead of having gathered strength to cross the stream at one try, one has made a premature start that has got him no farther than the muddy bank. Such an unfavorable position invites enemies from without, who naturally take advantage of it. Caution and a sense of the seriousness of the situation are all that can keep one from injury.
Small Image
In the midst of battle, danger surrounds, yet maintaining correct waiting brings no error.
Waiting in the mud means danger is drawing near.
Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit.
The situation is extremely dangerous. It is of utmost gravity now—a matter of life and death. Bloodshed seems imminent. There is no going forward or backward; we are cut off as if in a pit. Now we must simply stand fast and let fate take its course. This composure, which keeps us from aggravating the trouble by anything we might do, is the only way of getting out of the dangerous pit.
Small Image
Wine and food arrive as one waits with proper virtue, honored guests approach naturally.
Waiting amid food and drink shows one remains centered and at ease.
Waiting at meat and drink. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Even in the midst of danger there come intervals of peace when things go relatively well. If we possess enough inner strength, we shall take advantage of these intervals to fortify ourselves for renewed struggle. We must know how to enjoy the moment without being deflected from the goal, for perseverance is needed to remain victorious. This is true in public life as well; it is not possible to achieve everything all at once. The height of wisdom is to allow people enough recreation to uicken pleasure in their work until the task is completed. Herein lies the secret of the whole hexagram. It differs from Chien, OBSTRUCTION, in the fact that in this instance, while waiting, we are sure of our cause and therefore do not lose the serenity born of inner cheerfulness.
Small Image
At the strategic pass, danger demands patience. Trust must be established before proceeding.
Waiting in blood means one has yielded and withdrawn from danger.
One falls into the pit. Three uninvited guests arrive. Honor them, and in the end there will be good fortune.
The waiting is over; the danger can no longer be averted. One falls into the pit and must yield to the inevitable. Everything seems to have been in vain. But precisely in this extremity things take an unforeseen turn. Without a move on one’s own part, there is outside intervention. At first one cannot be sure of its meaning: is it rescue or is it destruction? A person in this situation must keep his mind alert and not withdraw into himself with a sulky gesture of refusal, but must greet the new turn with respect. Thus he ultimately escapes the danger, and all goes well. Even happy turns of fortune often come in a form that at first seems strange to us.
Small Image
Honored guests arrive with humility, and three guests come—receiving them properly brings good fortune.
Unexpected guests arriving shows that respectful readiness turns risk toward good fortune.
What does Hsü / Waiting mean in the I Ching?
Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to t...
How should I study Hexagram 5 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The danger is not yet close. One is still waiting on the open plain. Conditions are still simple, yet there is a feeling of something impending. One must continue to lead a regular...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Waiting does not mean passivity; it means recognizing that danger is ahead and not rushing into it. Strength held in reserve, together with sincerity and self-command, makes eventual progress possible.
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.
Zhouyi / I Ching primary text: The received text of the Book of Changes, including the Judgment, Image, and line statements.
The I Ching or Book of Changes, Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes: Princeton University Press translation used as a major English-language reference point for names, structure, and commentary framing.
The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, James Legge: Classical English reference used for comparative reading of source terminology and commentarial tradition.
how to use i ching
How to Use the I Ching: A Practical Workflow for Questions and Readings
Understand how to use the I Ching for reflection, decision making, and divination with a practical workflow for asking questions and reading results.
i ching decision making
I Ching for Decision Making: Turning Symbolic Advice into Action
Use the I Ching to think through decisions, uncertainty, timing, and tradeoffs without confusing reflection with passive waiting.
free i ching reading
Free I Ching Reading: How to Get Value from an Online Cast
Learn how to approach a free I Ching reading online so the result becomes useful guidance rather than a throwaway prediction.