䷎ Modesty qiān
Core Meaning
The Qian hexagram is the only hexagram in the I Ching where all six lines are auspicious. A mountain within the earth, a high mountain hidden beneath the earth, symbolizes high virtue without self-display. The Way of Heaven diminishes the full and augments the modest; the Way of Earth transforms the full and flows to the modest; spirits and gods harm the full and bless the modest; the Way of Man dislikes the full and loves the modest. Humility is a virtue universally praised by Heaven, Earth, humanity, and spirits.
The Judgment
Success. The noble person has a good ending.
Interpretation:
The Qian hexagram symbolizes modesty and brings success. The noble person can start well and finish well.
The Image
In the earth there is a mountain; Modesty. Thus the noble person reduces the excessive and increases the deficient, and weighs things and apportions them equally.
Structure
Kun above, Gen below, a mountain within the earth. A high mountain hidden beneath the earth symbolizes modesty unrevealed, outwardly humble but inwardly lofty.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial six: A modest and humble noble person. It is beneficial to cross a great river. Auspicious.
Six in the second place: Modesty expressed, persistence brings good fortune.
Nine in the third place: A hardworking and modest noble person. There will be a good ending. Auspicious.
Six in the fourth place: Nothing that would not be advantageous; Modesty in movement.
Six in the fifth place: Not rich, but with his neighbors, it is beneficial to invade and conquer. Nothing that would not be advantageous.
Top six: Modesty expressed. It is beneficial to mobilize the army and conquer the cities and states.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Being modest and low-key is the path to success. 'A modest and humble noble person' means to always maintain humility. 'Hardworking and modest' emphasizes diligence and humility, so 'the myriad people will submit'. 'Modesty expressed' means a good reputation spreads afar. However, modesty is not weakness; 'beneficial to invade and conquer' indicates that one should be firm when necessary and conquer the arrogant.
❤️ Relationships
The way of getting along lies in yielding. 'Reduce the excessive and increase the deficient, and weigh things and apportion them equally' means to balance giving and care for the weaker party. 'Modesty makes the distinguished shine, and the humble not to be despised.' Modesty can make the honorable more radiant and the humble not to be looked down upon. Modesty is an eternal virtue.
🎯 Decision Making
The best strategy currently is to be modest and cautious. 'The noble person has a good ending' means persistent modesty leads to a good outcome. 'It is beneficial to cross a great river' indicates that a modest person can overcome difficulties. Do not be arrogant or complacent, for 'the Way of Heaven diminishes the full and augments the modest'; Heaven will punish arrogance and help the modest.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
Be wary of false modesty. True modesty is 'hardworking and modest,' diligent and humble, not pretentious. 'Modesty expressed' must come from the heart, 'obtained from the center'. In addition, modesty is not weakness; when faced with insubordination, it is 'beneficial to invade and conquer.'
Applicable Scenarios
The Modesty hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
The 'I Ching' states, 'Modesty makes the distinguished shine.' Confucius's disciple, Yan Hui, perfectly embodied the Qian hexagram. He ate 'a single bamboo cup of rice, a single ladle of drink, in a poor alley,' yet 'did not change his joy.' Though exceptionally talented, he remained consistently modest, praised by Confucius for 'his heart not straying from benevolence for three months.' 'A hardworking and modest noble person, the myriad people will submit.' Yan Hui's virtue of modesty commanded the respect of all. This is the essence of the Qian hexagram: a truly great mountain does not need to reveal itself; hidden within the earth, it becomes even more stable.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Modesty hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: