Hexagram #2

The Receptive

坤為地

Pure yin, devoted Earth. Best to follow and serve patiently; do not lead.

The Receptive (坤為地, Hexagram 2) is the 2nd of the 64 hexagrams in the I-Ching. It consists of the upper trigram Kūn (Earth) (坤, Thổ) over the lower trigram Kūn (Earth) (坤, Thổ). Pure yin, devoted Earth. Best to follow and serve patiently; do not lead.

Upper trigram:
Kūn (Earth)
Earth / The Receptive
Lower trigram:
Kūn (Earth)
Earth / The Receptive

Judgment (Thoán từ)

The Receptive brings sublime success, furthering through the perseverance of a mare. To take the lead brings confusion; to follow brings guidance. Friends in the west and south, lonely in the east and north.

Image (Tượng từ)

The earth’s condition is receptive devotion. The superior man supports all things with his outer nature’s breadth.

The Six Lines

  1. 1

    Line 1 yin: When frost is underfoot, solid ice is not far off.

  2. 2

    Line 2 yin: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, nothing is unfavorable.

  3. 3

    Line 3 yin: Hidden lines. One must persevere. If by chance in the king’s service, complete the work without claiming credit.

  4. 4

    Line 4 yin: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise.

  5. 5

    Line 5 yin: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune.

  6. 6

    Line 6 yin: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.

Nuclear Hexagram (互卦)

The Receptive
坤為地

Frequently asked questions

What does the The Receptive hexagram (坤為地) mean?
The Receptive is hexagram #2 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams. Pure yin, devoted Earth. Best to follow and serve patiently; do not lead.
What is the judgment text of The Receptive?
The Receptive brings sublime success, furthering through the perseverance of a mare. To take the lead brings confusion; to follow brings guidance. Friends in the west and south, lonely in the east and north.
What is the image text of The Receptive?
The earth’s condition is receptive devotion. The superior man supports all things with his outer nature’s breadth.
What are the upper and lower trigrams of The Receptive?
The upper trigram of The Receptive is Kūn (Earth) (坤) — representing Earth / The Receptive, element Thổ. The lower trigram is Kūn (Earth) (坤) — representing Earth / The Receptive, element Thổ.
What is the mutual hexagram (互卦) of The Receptive?
The mutual hexagram of The Receptive is The Receptive (坤為地). The mutual hexagram reveals the hidden inner dynamic and intermediate development of the situation.
What are the six line texts of The Receptive?
Line 1: Line 1 yin: When frost is underfoot, solid ice is not far off. | Line 2: Line 2 yin: Straight, square, great. Without purpose, nothing is unfavorable. | Line 3: Line 3 yin: Hidden lines. One must persevere. If by chance in the king’s service, complete the work without claiming credit. | Line 4: Line 4 yin: A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise. | Line 5: Line 5 yin: A yellow lower garment. Supreme good fortune. | Line 6: Line 6 yin: Dragons fight in the meadow. Their blood is black and yellow.

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