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Waiting

需 (Xū)

Hexagram #5

Hexagram Structure

Yang Line

Yin Line

Yang Line

Yin Line

Upper Trigram

Water

Lower Trigram

Heaven

Core Essence

Keywords

patiencetimingpreparationfaith

Meaning

Represents the art of waiting for the right moment to act with confidence.

Guidance

Wait for the right time. Use this period to prepare and strengthen yourself.

Classical Texts

Judgment

Waiting. If you are sincere, you have light and success.

需：有孚，光亨，贞吉。

Image

Clouds rise up to heaven: the image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer.

云上于天，需；君子以饮食宴乐。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Waiting hexagram teaches us the wisdom of patience. 'Xu' means waiting and needing, symbolizing the need for patience in the face of difficulties. Legend tells that Jiang Taigong fished by the Wei River, waiting for a wise ruler, and eventually met King Wen of Zhou, achieving great success. This embodies the spirit of Xu hexagram's 'favorable to cross the great water.' The ancients said 'The superior man stores up his virtue and waits for the right time to act,' which is exactly the spirit of the Xu hexagram. In our fast-paced modern society, the Xu hexagram reminds us: sometimes waiting requires more wisdom than action.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Water Lower Trigram: Heaven **Judgment Analysis:** Waiting. If you are sincere, you have light and success. 需：有孚，光亨，贞吉。 **Image Wisdom:** Clouds rise up to heaven: the image of Waiting. Thus the superior man eats and drinks, is joyous and of good cheer. 云上于天，需；君子以饮食宴乐。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Waiting can guide us: • Wait for the right time. Use this period to prepare and strengthen yourself. • Keywords: patience, timing, preparation, faith • Core Concept: Represents the art of waiting for the right moment to act with confidence.

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