What does the Difficulty at the Beginning hexagram (水雷屯) mean?

Difficulty at the Beginning is hexagram #3 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams. Hard beginnings, like a sprout pushing through stone. Patience and helpers needed.

What are the upper and lower trigrams of Difficulty at the Beginning?

The upper trigram of Difficulty at the Beginning is Kǎn (Water) (坎) — representing Water / The Abysmal, element Thủy. The lower trigram is Zhèn (Thunder) (震) — representing Thunder / The Arousing, element Mộc.

What is the mutual hexagram (互卦) of Difficulty at the Beginning?

The mutual hexagram of Difficulty at the Beginning is Splitting Apart (山地剝). The mutual hexagram reveals the hidden inner dynamic and intermediate development of the situation.

What are the six line texts of Difficulty at the Beginning?

Line 1: Line 1 yang: Hesitation. It furthers to remain persevering and to install helpers. | Line 2: Line 2 yin: Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. The suitor is not a robber; betrothal will come in ten years. | Line 3: Line 3 yin: Chasing deer without a guide enters the forest. The superior man understands and lets go. | Line 4: Line 4 yin: Horse and wagon part. Strive for union; going on brings good fortune. | Line 5: Line 5 yang: Difficulty in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune; great perseverance brings misfortune. | Line 6: Line 6 yin: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.

Hexagram #3

Difficulty at the Beginning

水雷屯

Hard beginnings, like a sprout pushing through stone. Patience and helpers needed.

Difficulty at the Beginning (水雷屯, Hexagram 3) is the 3rd of the 64 hexagrams in the I-Ching. It consists of the upper trigram Kǎn (Water) (坎, Thủy) over the lower trigram Zhèn (Thunder) (震, Mộc). Hard beginnings, like a sprout pushing through stone. Patience and helpers needed.

Thunder / The Arousing

Judgment (Thoán từ)

Difficulty: supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers to install helpers.

Image (Tượng từ)

Clouds and thunder: difficulty. Thus the superior man brings order out of confusion.

The Six Lines

1
Line 1 yang: Hesitation. It furthers to remain persevering and to install helpers.
2
Line 2 yin: Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. The suitor is not a robber; betrothal will come in ten years.
3
Line 3 yin: Chasing deer without a guide enters the forest. The superior man understands and lets go.
4
Line 4 yin: Horse and wagon part. Strive for union; going on brings good fortune.
5
Line 5 yang: Difficulty in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune; great perseverance brings misfortune.
6
Line 6 yin: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.

Nuclear Hexagram (互卦)

䷖

Splitting Apart

山地剝

Frequently asked questions

What does the Difficulty at the Beginning hexagram (水雷屯) mean?: Difficulty at the Beginning is hexagram #3 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams. Hard beginnings, like a sprout pushing through stone. Patience and helpers needed.
What is the judgment text of Difficulty at the Beginning?: Difficulty: supreme success, furthering through perseverance. Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers to install helpers.
What is the image text of Difficulty at the Beginning?: Clouds and thunder: difficulty. Thus the superior man brings order out of confusion.
What are the upper and lower trigrams of Difficulty at the Beginning?: The upper trigram of Difficulty at the Beginning is Kǎn (Water) (坎) — representing Water / The Abysmal, element Thủy. The lower trigram is Zhèn (Thunder) (震) — representing Thunder / The Arousing, element Mộc.
What is the mutual hexagram (互卦) of Difficulty at the Beginning?: The mutual hexagram of Difficulty at the Beginning is Splitting Apart (山地剝). The mutual hexagram reveals the hidden inner dynamic and intermediate development of the situation.
What are the six line texts of Difficulty at the Beginning?: Line 1: Line 1 yang: Hesitation. It furthers to remain persevering and to install helpers. | Line 2: Line 2 yin: Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. The suitor is not a robber; betrothal will come in ten years. | Line 3: Line 3 yin: Chasing deer without a guide enters the forest. The superior man understands and lets go. | Line 4: Line 4 yin: Horse and wagon part. Strive for union; going on brings good fortune. | Line 5: Line 5 yang: Difficulty in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune; great perseverance brings misfortune. | Line 6: Line 6 yin: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.

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