Hexagram 48: The Well

Hexagram 48, The Well (Jǐng, 井), is formed of the upper trigram Water (坎) over the lower trigram Wind (巽). 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 Water describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Wind describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of The Well.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 A muddy well no one drinks from; an old well no creature visits.井泥不食，旧井无禽。
• 九二 · Line 2 The well-shaft shoots only minnows; the jug leaks.井谷射鲋，瓮敝漏。
• 九三 · Line 3 The well is cleaned yet no one drinks — my heart aches. Were the leadership clear-eyed, all would share the blessing.井渫不食，为我心恻；可用汲，王明，并受其福。
• 六四 · Line 4 The well is being lined and repaired. No blame.井甃，无咎。
• 九五 · Line 5 The well is pure: cold spring water to drink.井冽，寒泉食。
• 上六 · Line 6 The well freely drawn, left uncovered: sincerity — supreme good fortune.井收勿幕，有孚元吉。

Reading Hexagram 48 for Your Question

When The Well 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 The Well to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.