Hexagram 05
HsüWaiting
Water (Kan) · Heaven (Qian)
The image
Clouds rise up to heaven: The image of WAITING. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, Is joyous and of good cheer.
This hexagram in one line
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.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Clouds rise and rain follows
Hexagram Judgment
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.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Water (Kan)
- Water · Abysmal
- Heaven (Qian)
- Heaven · Creative
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
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.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
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.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
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Frequently asked questions
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.
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.