Limitation

Upper trigram: Water (deep, perilous, flowing) · Lower trigram: Lake (joyous, sharing)

Judgment

Water above the lake: a lake fills when bounded and overflows when limitless. This hexagram speaks of the value of measure, limits and conscious choice. Limits that are too hard cause distress; soft and meaningful limits provide order. Setting a limit is not a prohibition but a shape of freedom.

Image

Water above the lake: limitation. The noble-minded set numbers and measures and weigh the standard of virtue and conduct.

Meaning of the six lines (bottom to top)

1. 1Line 1 (from the bottom)Not going out of the courtyard gate: no error. If the time is not yet right, staying within limits is wise.
2. 2Line 2 (from the bottom)Not going out of the house gate: an unfavourable sign. Staying too closed when the chance has opened leads to missing it.
3. 3Line 3 (from the bottom)No limitation: sighing, yet blaming no one. Accepting the results of not setting a limit is a chance to learn.
4. 4Line 4 (from the bottom)Peaceful limitation: an accepted limit brings success. Living within a natural measure gives ease.
5. 5Line 5 (from the bottom)Sweet limitation: good; going forward gains worth. One who keeps measure as an example opens the way for others too.
6. 6Line 6 (from the bottom)Bitter limitation: persistence is read as unfavourable, yet regret vanishes. Loosening an overly hard limit is possible.