Hexagram 48 Line 3: 九三

Jing The Well

Position: Line 3 (Lower Trigram)九三 Yang ⚊ (Solid)Register: blamelessFamous Line

Classical Chinese Text

九三 井渫不食。為我心惻。可用汲。王明。並受其福。

井渫不食。為我心惻

jǐngthe well is
xièturbid
but nothing
shíis consumed
wéimaking
our
xīnheart(s)
sad
it is suitable
yòngto use
and to draw
wángwere the sovereign
míngmade clear
bìngall
shòureceive
in
enrichment

Line Commentary

The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart's sorrow. One might draw from it. If the king were clear-minded, good fortune might be enjoyed in common. An able person is available like a purified well with drinkable water. But no use is made of them. The sorrow of those who know. One wishes the prince might learn of it—good fortune for all concerned.

Commentary

The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart's sorrow. An able person is available like purified water—but no use is made of them. The lament of unrecognized talent.

When This Line Changes

If Line 3 changes, Hexagram 48 Jing (The Well) transforms into Hexagram 29 Kan (The Deep).

(48)
(29)

Parent Hexagram

The Well
Jing (48)

Water () over Wind ()

Upper Trigram: Water | Lower Trigram: Wind