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Youthful Folly

蒙 (Méng)

Hexagram #4

Hexagram Structure

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

Upper Trigram

Mountain

Lower Trigram

Water

Core Essence

Keywords

learninginexperienceguidanceeducation

Meaning

Represents the eager but inexperienced mind seeking knowledge and wisdom.

Guidance

Be humble in learning. Seek guidance from those with experience and wisdom.

Classical Texts

Judgment

Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me.

蒙：亨。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我。

Image

A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: the image of Youth. Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.

山下出泉，蒙；君子以果行育德。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Youthful Folly hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of enlightenment education. Ancient Chinese had the educational philosophy of 'nurturing righteousness through enlightenment,' believing that education during childhood is most important. Confucius said 'I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor arouse those who are not anxious to give an explanation themselves,' reflecting the teacher's wisdom in Meng - to wait until students have the desire to learn before teaching. Legend tells that Mencius's mother chose neighbors carefully to provide a good enlightening environment for Mencius. The Meng hexagram reminds us: learning requires maintaining a humble attitude, while education should be tailored to individual needs and proceed step by step.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Mountain Lower Trigram: Water **Judgment Analysis:** Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me. 蒙：亨。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我。 **Image Wisdom:** A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: the image of Youth. Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does. 山下出泉，蒙；君子以果行育德。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Youthful Folly can guide us: • Be humble in learning. Seek guidance from those with experience and wisdom. • Keywords: learning, inexperience, guidance, education • Core Concept: Represents the eager but inexperienced mind seeking knowledge and wisdom.

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