The entire earth, vast in its expanse across the east, south, west, and north, translated to human life, signifies holding firmly to one’s beliefs, ideals, principles of living, and way of conducting oneself.
“No repetition: nothing unfavorable.” (不习无不利 bù xí wú bùlì)
If you achieve this state of being “straight, square, and great,” you don’t need to study diligently 24 hours a day, 12 double-hours constantly. There’s nothing wrong with that, see? “No repetition: nothing unfavorable.” Once you cultivate your inner self to reach this state, achieving the position of Six in the Second Place is very favorable.
Six in the Third Place: “Embodies elegance; can be steadfast.”*(含章可贞 hán zhāng kě zhēn)
This touches upon aesthetic qualities, doesn’t it?
“Perhaps following the king’s affairs: no accomplishment, yet there is an end.” (或从王事，无成有终 huò cóng wáng shì, wú chéng yǒu zhōng)
As long as you maintain an inclusive character and cultivated virtue, “embodying elegance and upholding steadfastness” – holding fast to the right path and true principles of conduct – even if you do not “follow the king’s affairs” (serve the ruler or strive alongside the successful), you may achieve “no great accomplishment,” yet “there is an end.” My life may be simple and plain, but great is its truth!
“Simplicity and plainness embody true authenticity.” This is the core of our inner nature– the key lies in cultivating the heart-mind.
Six in the Fourth Place: “Tying the sack: no blame, no praise.”(括囊，无咎，无誉 *kuò náng, wú jiù, wú yù*)
Look, positions like Six in the Third and Fourth (and similarly, Nine in the Third and Fourth in other hexagrams) represent the human realm. When in this position, one must maintain inner cultivation and tranquility. “Tying the sack” means drawing the strings closed. “No blame” signifies freedom from fault, but also “no praise” – no particular recognition or glory.
However, Six in the Fifth Place is very different and extremely favorable: “Yellow lower garment: supreme auspiciousness.” (黄裳，元吉 huáng cháng, yuán jí)
“Yellow” (黄 huáng) refers to the color of earth, the central soil. “Lower garment” (裳 cháng) refers to the skirt or lower part of traditional attire (ancient clothing for both men and women included a top, 衣 yī, and a lower garment, 裳 cháng). Returning to the earth, the center of the land, “yellow lower garment: supreme auspiciousness” represents a most beautiful state– the most abundant, peaceful, and auspicious condition. If you obtain the Kun hexagram with this line (Six in the Fifth), it is very favorable. (Of course, obtaining the Nine in the Fifth Place in the Qian hexagram signifies reaching the highest state in both career and life).
Top Six: “Dragons fight in the wild; their blood is dark and yellow.”(龙战于野，其血玄黄 lóng zhàn yú yě, qí xuè xuán huáng)
See? Even within Kun (Earth), there is mention of dragons. Actually, this dragon is a symbolic representation. “Dragons fight in the wild” depicts fierce conflict in the open fields. The Earth hexagram inherently has no dragon of its own; yet, reaching this topmost position, one might perceive “dragons” everywhere on the earth, becoming confused. “Dragons fight in the wild” signifies struggles for power and gain. Upon reaching this position, “their blood is dark and yellow” evokes bloodshed and turmoil, reminiscent of wars between ancient tribes, which indeed occurred frequently. But in terms of human conduct, why do we discuss Qian and Kun? Ultimately, they both teach life’s principles. If you reach the highest position in life (like this Top Six), you should realize: do not engage in struggles for power and gain. Otherwise, you will lose your true self, which is also unfavorable.
Additionally, Kun has the special line: “Yong Six (Using Six): Favorable for perpetual steadfastness.”(用六，利永贞 yòng liù, lì yǒng zhēn)
Similarly, Qian has “Yong Nine” (用九 yòng jiǔ). Only the Qian and Kun hexagrams possess these unique “Using” lines.
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