What does the Youthful Folly hexagram (山水蒙) mean?

Youthful Folly is hexagram #4 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams. Inexperience needing enlightenment. Learning and good teachers are key.

What are the upper and lower trigrams of Youthful Folly?

The upper trigram of Youthful Folly is Gèn (Mountain) (艮) — representing Mountain / Keeping Still, element Thổ. The lower trigram is Kǎn (Water) (坎) — representing Water / The Abysmal, element Thủy.

What is the mutual hexagram (互卦) of Youthful Folly?

The mutual hexagram of Youthful Folly is Return / The Turning Point (地雷復). The mutual hexagram reveals the hidden inner dynamic and intermediate development of the situation.

What are the six line texts of Youthful Folly?

Line 1: Line 1 yin: To make a fool develop, discipline is needed. Removing fetters too soon brings humiliation. | Line 2: Line 2 yang: To bear with fools in kindness brings good fortune. A son fit to take charge of the household. | Line 3: Line 3 yin: Do not marry a maiden who loses herself at the sight of a wealthy man. Nothing furthers. | Line 4: Line 4 yin: Entangled folly brings humiliation. | Line 5: Line 5 yin: Childlike folly brings good fortune. | Line 6: Line 6 yang: In punishing folly, it does not further to commit transgressions. Only what serves to ward them off.

Hexagram #4

Youthful Folly

山水蒙

Inexperience needing enlightenment. Learning and good teachers are key.

Youthful Folly (山水蒙, Hexagram 4) is the 4th of the 64 hexagrams in the I-Ching. It consists of the upper trigram Gèn (Mountain) (艮, Thổ) over the lower trigram Kǎn (Water) (坎, Thủy). Inexperience needing enlightenment. Learning and good teachers are key.

Upper trigram:

☶

Gèn (Mountain)

Mountain / Keeping Still

Judgment (Thoán từ)

Youthful folly has success. I do not seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform; repeated questioning is troublesome and I answer no more.

Image (Tượng từ)

A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: Youthful Folly. The superior man fosters character through resolute conduct.

The Six Lines

1
Line 1 yin: To make a fool develop, discipline is needed. Removing fetters too soon brings humiliation.
2
Line 2 yang: To bear with fools in kindness brings good fortune. A son fit to take charge of the household.
3
Line 3 yin: Do not marry a maiden who loses herself at the sight of a wealthy man. Nothing furthers.
4
Line 4 yin: Entangled folly brings humiliation.
5
Line 5 yin: Childlike folly brings good fortune.
6
Line 6 yang: In punishing folly, it does not further to commit transgressions. Only what serves to ward them off.

Nuclear Hexagram (互卦)

䷗

Return / The Turning Point

地雷復

Frequently asked questions

What does the Youthful Folly hexagram (山水蒙) mean?: Youthful Folly is hexagram #4 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams. Inexperience needing enlightenment. Learning and good teachers are key.
What is the judgment text of Youthful Folly?: Youthful folly has success. I do not seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform; repeated questioning is troublesome and I answer no more.
What is the image text of Youthful Folly?: A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: Youthful Folly. The superior man fosters character through resolute conduct.
What are the upper and lower trigrams of Youthful Folly?: The upper trigram of Youthful Folly is Gèn (Mountain) (艮) — representing Mountain / Keeping Still, element Thổ. The lower trigram is Kǎn (Water) (坎) — representing Water / The Abysmal, element Thủy.
What is the mutual hexagram (互卦) of Youthful Folly?: The mutual hexagram of Youthful Folly is Return / The Turning Point (地雷復). The mutual hexagram reveals the hidden inner dynamic and intermediate development of the situation.
What are the six line texts of Youthful Folly?: Line 1: Line 1 yin: To make a fool develop, discipline is needed. Removing fetters too soon brings humiliation. | Line 2: Line 2 yang: To bear with fools in kindness brings good fortune. A son fit to take charge of the household. | Line 3: Line 3 yin: Do not marry a maiden who loses herself at the sight of a wealthy man. Nothing furthers. | Line 4: Line 4 yin: Entangled folly brings humiliation. | Line 5: Line 5 yin: Childlike folly brings good fortune. | Line 6: Line 6 yang: In punishing folly, it does not further to commit transgressions. Only what serves to ward them off.

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