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The Well

井 (Jǐng)

Hexagram #48

Hexagram Structure

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

Upper Trigram

Water

Lower Trigram

Wind

Core Essence

Keywords

resourcesnourishmentcommunityreliability

Meaning

Represents the reliable source of nourishment and wisdom that serves the community.

Guidance

Be a reliable source of support for others. Share your resources and wisdom generously.

Classical Texts

Judgment

The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water and the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.

井：改邑不改井，无丧无得，往来井井。汔至亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。

Image

Water over wood: the image of the Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work, and exhorts them to help one another.

木上有水，井；君子以劳民劝相。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Well hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of source and nourishment. 'Jing' means water well, symbolizing the source of life. Confucius said 'The benevolent enjoy mountains, the wise enjoy water,' embodying the wisdom of the Jing hexagram. The Jing hexagram teaches us: we should be people with a source, constantly enriching ourselves, while also being like well water, selflessly nourishing others.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Water Lower Trigram: Wind **Judgment Analysis:** The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water and the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune. 井：改邑不改井，无丧无得，往来井井。汔至亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。 **Image Wisdom:** Water over wood: the image of the Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work, and exhorts them to help one another. 木上有水，井；君子以劳民劝相。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Well can guide us: • Be a reliable source of support for others. Share your resources and wisdom generously. • Keywords: resources, nourishment, community, reliability • Core Concept: Represents the reliable source of nourishment and wisdom that serves the community.

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