All hexagrams · ← 19 · 21 →
觀 20 · Guān · Contemplation
Wind / Wood over Earth — upper Xùn 巽 (gentle, penetrating, gradual); lower Kūn 坤 (receptive, yielding, nourishing)
Hexagram 20, Contemplation (Guān, 觀), is Wind / Wood over Earth. Wind over earth. The tower: looking out and being seen. Understanding through observation.
The situation
Wind over earth. The tower: looking out and being seen. Understanding through observation.
The counsel
Look deeply before acting. Then influence by example rather than by command.
The six lines
Line 1 — Boylike looking. No blame for the simple; shameful for the noble.
Line 2 — Peeping through a crack in the door. Limited view.
Line 3 — Contemplate your own life to know whether to advance or retreat.
Line 4 — Contemplate the glory of the realm. Serve as a guest.
Line 5 — Contemplate yourself. No blame for the wise.
Line 6 — Contemplate your life as a whole. No blame.