Hexagram 4: Youthful Folly

山水蒙 · Méng

Hexagram 4, Youthful Folly (Méng, 蒙), is formed of the upper trigram Mountain (艮) over the lower trigram Water (坎). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. A first inquiry is answered; pestering gets no reply. Perseverance furthers.
亨。匪我求童蒙,童蒙求我。初筮告,再三渎,渎则不告。利贞。

Trigrams

Upper · Mountain 艮
keeping still
Lower · Water 坎
the abysmal, danger

The outer (upper) trigram Mountain describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Water describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of Youthful Folly.

The Six Lines

Reading Hexagram 4 for Your Question

When Youthful Folly 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 Youthful Folly to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.

Ask the oracle your own question and see whether Youthful Folly answers.

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