Hexagram 48: The Well

Trigrams

Upper trigram: Kan (Water) · Lower trigram: Xun (Wind)

Judgment

Towns may change, but the well does not change; nothing lost, nothing gained, all come and go to draw from it. But if one nearly reaches the water and yet the rope is too short, or the jug breaks, misfortune follows.

Image

Water above wood: the well. The noble one encourages the people to work and helps them assist one another.

Meaning of Hexagram The Well

The Well (井) is hexagram #48 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams, formed by the upper trigram Kan (Water) and lower trigram Xun (Wind). It represents a steady, renewable source that nourishes all who draw from it. When this hexagram is cast, the querent should meditate on the judgment and image to grasp what the Yi is saying about the current situation.

The Six Lines Explained

Line 1 (Initial Six)

""Tỉnh nê, bất thực, cựu tỉnh vô cầm""

The well is muddy, no one drinks from it; an old well that no creature visits. This lowest line is like a useless, untalented person whom no one wishes to approach.

Line 2 (Nine in the Second Place)

""Tỉnh cốc, xạ phụ, ủng tệ lậu""

The well is like one in a ravine, its water only enough for small fish, like a cracked jar leaking water. This line has talent but is in unfavorable circumstances, its worth not yet properly used.

Line 3 (Nine in the Third Place)

""Tỉnh tiết bất thực, vi ngã tâm trắc. Khả dụng cấp; vương minh, tịnh thụ kì phúc""

The well is clean, yet no one draws from it, which grieves my heart; but if one meets an enlightened ruler, everyone will receive its blessing. This line has real talent but has not yet been put to use — it needs a wise leader to bring out its value.

Line 4 (Six in the Fourth Place)

""Tỉnh trứu, vô cữu""

The well is lined with stone walls and a stone floor — no blame. This line represents preparation and reinforcement of foundations; though not exceptionally capable, it is enough to serve its basic purpose.

Line 5 (Nine in the Fifth Place)

""Tỉnh liệt, hàn tuyền thực""

The well's water is clear and cool, and can be drawn and drunk. This line, in a high position, possesses real talent and virtue, bringing tangible benefit to those around it.

Line 6 (Six at the Top)

""Tỉnh thu, vật mạc, hữu phu, nguyên cát""

The well's water has been drawn up — do not cover it; let everyone use it forever, and this is greatly auspicious. This final line, once the achievement is complete, calls for sharing it widely rather than keeping it for oneself — reaching the hexagram's most beautiful meaning.

The Transformed Hexagram

The hexagram has Xun (Wind/Wood) as the inner trigram and Kan (Water) as the outer trigram — it is the inverse of hexagram 47, the Lake over Water (Oppression). A distinctive feature of this hexagram: the higher the line (from line 1 to line 6), the more favorable it is, unlike most other hexagrams.

Applications by Area of Life

Work & Career

This hexagram speaks of enduring, stable value (like a well that always stays in one place, serving everyone). One must patiently develop one's capabilities (the progression from line 1 to line 6 is a process of gradual improvement), and once successful, should share that value widely rather than keeping it for oneself (as in the top line).

Love & Relationships

The hexagram advises building a relationship like "a well" — stable, trustworthy, always ready to support one another without need for display.

Health

The image of "clear, cool well water" (fifth line) is a beautiful picture of good, pure health. One should maintain a healthy, stable lifestyle, like a well's water that never runs dry.

Wealth

This is a favorable hexagram for building a stable, sustainable source of income (like a well that never runs dry). Once results have been achieved, one should share and reinvest in the community (as in the top line).

Frequently Asked Questions about The Well

What does the Jing (The Well) hexagram, Water over Wood, mean?

Tỉnh means "the well." This hexagram uses the image of a well to speak of enduring, stable value that serves the common good of all people without asking for anything in return.

Why is the Well hexagram unusual in that it improves the higher the line goes, unlike most other hexagrams?

Because the nature of this hexagram describes a process of perfection — from a useless, muddy well (line 1) to a clear, cool well ready to serve everyone (lines 5 and 6) — this is a natural process of improvement and development, so it gets better toward the end, not following the "what reaches its peak must decline" pattern seen in most other hexagrams.

What is the meaning of the lesson "the well stays where it is, unchanging"?

This is an image of stability and reliability — even as the surrounding circumstances change (a town may be relocated), the core value (the well's water, a person's character) should remain steadfast, not wavering according to external circumstances.