Hexagram 20 · ䷓
Contemplation. The ablution has been made, but not yet the offering. Full of trust they look up to him.
Contemplation requires preparation. The cleansing has been made but the offering not yet presented. The people look up with full trust.
The great manifest in the place of the ablution. Reverent and devoted, they look up to him. Contemplation shows the yielding who finds place above and who, in the central position, attains to devotion. Thus the people look up to him. Contemplation of the divine way shows the flexible who finds place in the world outside and who, in accordance with the central position, submits to the will of heaven.
The great is manifest in preparation. Through reverent devotion, the people look upward. The yielding finds place above and in the central position, attaining devotion. The people look up with trust and respect. Contemplation of the divine way shows the flexible who finds place outside and submits to heaven's will.
The wind blows over the earth: the image of Contemplation. The kings of old visited the regions of the world, contemplated the people, and gave them instruction.
Wind blowing over the earth represents the image of Contemplation. The kings of old traveled through their realm, observed the people, and gave them proper instruction.
Boylike contemplation. For an inferior man, no blame. For a superior man, humiliation.
Childish, superficial contemplation brings no blame to the inferior person but brings humiliation to the superior person.
Small Image
Boylike contemplation shows the humility of an inferior man.
Boylike contemplation demonstrates the limited vision of the inferior person.
Contemplation through the crack of the door. Furthering for the perseverance of a woman.
Peering through the crack of the door brings furtherance to the perseverance of a woman, but not to one with broader vision.
Small Image
Contemplation through the crack of the door is a thing for a woman to further.
Contemplation through the door crack suits a woman who should remain in her proper sphere.
Contemplation of my life decides the choice between advance and retreat.
Contemplating one's own life helps decide whether to advance or retreat. Self-reflection guides action.
Small Image
Contemplation of my life decides the choice. One has not yet lost the way.
Contemplating one's life to decide shows one has not yet lost the correct way.
Contemplation of the light of the kingdom. It furthers one to exert influence as a guest of the king.
Contemplating the light of the kingdom furthers one to serve as the king's guest, exerting influence from within.
Small Image
Contemplation of the light of the kingdom shows the yielding who finds place above.
Contemplating the kingdom's light shows the yielding properly placed above.
Contemplation of my life. The superior man is without blame.
Contemplating one's own life, the superior person remains without blame through constant self-examination.
Small Image
Contemplation of my life; the superior man is without blame. One has not yet lost the way.
The superior person contemplating his life remains blameless, having not lost the way.
Contemplation of his life. The superior man is without blame.
Contemplating his own life, the superior person remains without blame, for his will remains connected to the world.
Small Image
Contemplation of his life; the superior man is without blame. The will has not yet lost the world.
The superior person contemplating his life remains blameless because his will embraces the world.