Max I Ching LogoI CHING ONLINE
Back to Hexagrams
☵

The Abysmal

坎 (Kǎn)

Hexagram #29

Hexagram Structure

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

Upper Trigram

Water

Lower Trigram

Water

Core Essence

Keywords

dangerperseverancedepthflow

Meaning

Represents dangerous situations that require perseverance and the ability to flow like water.

Guidance

Persevere through difficulties. Like water, find a way around obstacles.

Classical Texts

Judgment

The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.

习坎：有孚，维心亨，行有尚。

Image

Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching.

水洊至，习坎；君子以常德行，习教事。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Abysmal hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of water and the test of danger. 'Kan' represents water, which can both carry and overturn boats. Laozi said 'The highest good is like water,' emphasizing water's character - soft yet able to overcome hard, low yet able to contain all things. Yu the Great's flood control embodies the wisdom of the Kan hexagram - not fighting against water, but channeling it. The Kan hexagram teaches us: when facing difficulties, we should be like water, having both resilience and wisdom, finding the path to breakthrough.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Water Lower Trigram: Water **Judgment Analysis:** The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds. 习坎：有孚，维心亨，行有尚。 **Image Wisdom:** Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the superior man walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching. 水洊至，习坎；君子以常德行，习教事。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Abysmal can guide us: • Persevere through difficulties. Like water, find a way around obstacles. • Keywords: danger, perseverance, depth, flow • Core Concept: Represents dangerous situations that require perseverance and the ability to flow like water.

Chat with AI Master

Explore the wisdom of The Abysmal hexagram with our AI I Ching master