All hexagrams · ← 4 · 6 →
需 5 · Xū · Waiting
Water over Heaven — upper Kǎn 坎 (deep, dangerous, flowing); lower Qián 乾 (creative, strong, initiating)
Hexagram 5, Waiting (Xū, 需), is Water over Heaven. Clouds rising to heaven; rain will come. Patient, confident waiting while conditions ripen.
The situation
Clouds rising to heaven; rain will come. Patient, confident waiting while conditions ripen.
The counsel
Wait well. Eat, rest, stay cheerful. What you are waiting for cannot be hurried, but you can be ready.
The six lines
Line 1 — Waiting in the meadow. Stay in your ordinary routine.
Line 2 — Waiting on the sand. Some gossip, but it ends well.
Line 3 — Waiting in the mud. You have drawn trouble near; be careful.
Line 4 — Waiting in blood. Get out of the pit; do not fight.
Line 5 — Waiting with food and wine. Steadiness pays off.
Line 6 — Fallen into the pit. Unexpected guests bring help if you honour them.