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Work on What Has Been Spoiled

蛊 (Gǔ)

Hexagram #18

Hexagram Structure

6
Yin Line
5
Yang Line
4
Yang Line
3
Yin Line
2
Yin Line
1
Yang Line

Upper Trigram

Mountain

Lower Trigram

Wind

Core Essence

Keywords

repairrenovationhealingrestoration

Meaning

Represents the need to repair and restore what has been damaged or corrupted.

Guidance

Address problems that have been neglected. Take time to repair and restore.

Classical Texts

Judgment

Work on What Has Been Spoiled has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days.

蛊：元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。

Image

The wind blows low on the mountain: the image of Decay. Thus the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.

山下有风，蛊；君子以振民育德。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Work on What Has Been Spoiled hexagram symbolizes the spirit of rectifying corruption and innovating for strength. 'Gu' originally means worm-eaten, extended to corruption. Tang's revolution and King Wu of Zhou's conquest of Shang both embody the spirit of the Gu hexagram - removing decay and establishing new order. The Gu hexagram teaches us: we cannot avoid problems but must have courage to reform and innovate. In personal growth, we must constantly reflect on ourselves, remove bad habits, and cultivate good character.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Mountain Lower Trigram: Wind **Judgment Analysis:** Work on What Has Been Spoiled has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days. 蛊：元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。 **Image Wisdom:** The wind blows low on the mountain: the image of Decay. Thus the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit. 山下有风，蛊；君子以振民育德。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Work on What Has Been Spoiled can guide us: • Address problems that have been neglected. Take time to repair and restore. • Keywords: repair, renovation, healing, restoration • Core Concept: Represents the need to repair and restore what has been damaged or corrupted.

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