Hexagram 20: Contemplation

Hexagram 20, Contemplation (Guān, 观), is formed of the upper trigram Wind (巽) over the lower trigram Earth (坤). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Wind describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Earth describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Contemplation.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 A child's view: harmless in the small, shameful in the noble.童观，小人无咎，君子吝。
• 六二 · Line 2 Peeking through a crack — a view fit only for the sheltered.窥观，利女贞。
• 六三 · Line 3 Observe your own life to decide advance or retreat.观我生，进退。
• 六四 · Line 4 Contemplating the glory of the realm — fit to be a guest of the king.观国之光，利用宾于王。
• 九五 · Line 5 Contemplate your own life: the noble one is without blame.观我生，君子无咎。
• 上九 · Line 6 Contemplate the lives one influences: the noble one is without blame.观其生，君子无咎。

Reading Hexagram 20 for Your Question

When Contemplation appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of Contemplation to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.