Hexagram 48 Line 5: 九五

Jing The Well

Position: Line 5 (Upper Trigram)九五 Yang ⚊ (Solid)Register: blamelessFamous Line

Classical Chinese Text

九五 井冽。寒泉食。

井冽。寒泉食

jǐngthe well
lièis
háncold
quánspring
shíto drink

Line Commentary

In the well there is a clear, cold spring from which one can drink. A well fed by living water is a good well. A person with such virtues is born to be a leader and savior—they have the water of life. But 'good fortune' is left out. The all-important thing about a well is that its water be drawn. The best water is only potential refreshment until brought up. It is all-important to drink from the spring of wise words and translate them into life.

Commentary

A clear, cold spring from which one can drink—the water of life. But good fortune is left out: the best water is only potential refreshment until actually drawn up. Wise words must be translated into life.

When This Line Changes

If Line 5 changes, Hexagram 48 Jing (The Well) transforms into Hexagram 46 Sheng (Pushing Upward).

(48)
(46)

Parent Hexagram

The Well
Jing (48)

Water () over Wind ()

Upper Trigram: Water | Lower Trigram: Wind