Hexagram 63 Line 3: 九三
Position: Line 3 (Lower Trigram)九三 —Yang ⚊ (Solid)Register: blameless
Classical Chinese Text
九三 高宗伐鬼方。三年克之。小人勿用。
高gāothe exalted
宗zōngancestor
伐fásubjugated
鬼guǐthe barbarian
方fāngcountry
三sānit took
年niányears
克kèconquer
之zhīit
小xiǎothe lesser
人rénpeople
勿wùwere not at all
用yònguseful
Line Commentary
The Illustrious Ancestor disciplines the Devil's Country. After three years he conquers it. Inferior people must not be employed. After times of completion, when a new power has arisen and everything within the country has been set in order, a period of colonial expansion almost inevitably follows. Long-drawn-out struggles must be reckoned with. A correct colonial policy is especially important. The territory won at such bitter cost must not be regarded as an almshouse for people who have made themselves impossible at home.
When This Line Changes
If Line 3 changes, Hexagram 63 Ji Ji (After Completion) transforms into Hexagram 3 Zhun (Difficulty at the Beginning).
Parent Hexagram
After Completion
Ji Ji 既濟 (63)
Water (坎) over Fire (離)
Upper Trigram: ☵ Water | Lower Trigram: ☲ Fire