Next comes the Kun Hexagram. Within the Kun hexagram, it states: “The earth’s disposition is receptive; the noble person cultivates abundant virtue to sustain all things.” This is from the Daxiang Zhuan(Great Image Commentary). It uses the term “earth’s disposition” (地勢 dishi), which relates to what we now call geomancy or feng shui – assessing the land’s energy, its potential, and its sustainability. So, “the earth’s disposition is receptive” – what does “receptive” (坤 Kun) mean? “The noble person cultivates abundant virtue to sustain all things” signifies the ability for generations to establish families and careers – this is the essence of Kun.
Now, let’s look at the Six Yao (Lines)within the Kun hexagram and their accompanying text:
“Kun: Supreme success. Favorable for the perseverance of the mare. If the noble person undertakes an action, though he may initially go astray, he will later find his master. It is favorable. In the southwest, he gains companions; in the northeast, he loses companions. Rest in perseverance: auspicious.”
Let me briefly explain this.
Actually, Kun represents the feminine between man and woman, and the mother within the parent-child relationship. Look at its position in the Later Heaven Bagua arrangement: “Favorable in the southwest” because the southwest is Kun – Kun is the Earth Mother. For women situated in the southwest (Kun), “supreme success” signifies smoothness; it’s also an auspicious hexagram. But what does “favorable for the perseverance of the mare” mean? “Mare” (牝马 pìn mǎ) refers to a female horse. It’s favorable for the mare because Kun occupies the motherly position.
“If the noble person undertakes an action…”: The noble person can set forth.
“…though he may initially go astray, he will later find his master”: One must first go through a period of confusion in life, then later find the “master” (主 zhǔ). What is this master? Self-mastery – autonomy and conscious agency. “Favorable” means this is a good thing.
“In the southwest, he gains companions…”: Pay attention – sisters, in ancient times, when women ventured out, it was among their own kind. “Gains companions in the southwest” – essentially, sisters, close female friends (“闺蜜” guīmì as we say today). Having many companions there isn’t necessarily all good, though. Look: “…in the northeast, he loses companions.” Remember the Xian (Influence) hexagram we discussed earlier? Where does one go? One must leave behind those sisterly bonds formed in the southwest (“loses companions”) and go to the northeast. Where is the northeast? That’s the Gen hexagram (Mountain), representing the youngest son – she has married. “Rest in perseverance: auspicious” – as long as she settles in the northeast, establishes her home, and lives there (since in the past, women followed their husbands after marriage, unlike today). So, the broad meaning of Kun represents these six stages of life.
First Six (Yin line at the bottom): “Treading on frost; solid ice is coming.”
The First Six is the initial position. All Yin lines are called “Six,” so the first Yin line is “First Six.” This signifies the changing season: “Treading on frost” – stepping on frost – oh, winter is coming. “Solid ice is coming” – this calls for heightened vigilance.
Six in the Second Place: “Straight, square, great.”
As heaven is round and earth is square, the four directions (east, south, west, north) are square. “Straight” (直 zhí) urges us to walk the straight path, avoiding detours – especially recalling the great straight roads of the Western Zhou Dynasty. “Square” (方 fāng) and “great” (大 dà) signify the vastness of the earth with its four directions. Translated to life, this means holding firmly to one’s beliefs and convictions.
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