䷜ Kǎn Kǎn
Core Meaning
The Kǎn hexagram reveals wisdom for dealing with perilous situations. 'Repetitive Kǎn,' repeated dangers and obstacles, like 'water flowing repeatedly,' waves coming one after another. 'Water flows but does not overflow,' water flows endlessly but never fills up, endless perils. But 'with sincerity, the heart will penetrate' is key—maintaining sincerity and a steadfast heart can lead to success. 'Acting amidst danger without losing sincerity,' not losing integrity in danger. 'Actions will be honored,' striving forward will gain recognition. 'The superior person practices constant virtue and learns diligently,' persisting like continuously flowing water. 'The utility of Kǎn's timing is truly great,' understanding how to utilize dangers is very important. Initial Six 'entering a deep pit' falls into a deep hole. Top Six 'bound with thick ropes' is trapped for three years, both are dangerous situations.
The Judgment
Repetitive Kǎn, with sincerity, the heart will penetrate, actions will be honored.
Interpretation:
The Kǎn hexagram symbolizes repeated dangers and obstacles. If one maintains sincerity and steadfastness in their heart, they will succeed. Striving forward will be esteemed by others.
The Image
Water flows repeatedly, repetitive Kǎn; the superior person practices constant virtue and learns diligently.
Structure
The Kǎn hexagram has Kǎn both above and below, a doubling of Kǎn. Kǎn represents water and danger, hence Repetitive Kǎn—repeated dangers and obstacles. 'Water flows but does not overflow,' meaning water continuously flows in but never fills, symbolizing endless perils. But 'acting amidst danger without losing sincerity,' maintaining integrity in perilous situations. 'Firm in the middle,' the Ninth Two and Ninth Five lines are firm and central, able to maintain rectitude. 'Heaven's dangers cannot be ascended, Earth's dangers are mountains and rivers, hills. Princes and dukes establish dangers to protect their states.' Dangers have their uses. This hexagram emphasizes that in perilous situations, one must 'have sincerity, so the heart will penetrate,' maintaining sincerity and a steadfast heart.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial Six: Repetitive Kǎn, entering a deep pit, ominous.
Ninth Two: In Kǎn there are dangers, seeking a small gain.
Sixth Three: Coming to Kǎn repeatedly, dangerous and lying at ease, entering a deep pit, do not use.
Sixth Four: A goblet of wine, two bowls, using an earthenware pot, making an agreement through the window, no blame in the end.
Ninth Five: Kǎn does not overflow, just level, no blame.
Top Six: Bound with thick ropes, placed in a thorny thicket, for three years it cannot be obtained, ominous.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career faces repeated difficulties. 'Repetitive Kǎn,' obstacles come one after another. 'With sincerity, the heart will penetrate' is key to maintaining sincerity and a steadfast heart. Ninth Two 'in Kǎn there are dangers, seeking a small gain,' 'not yet out of the middle' means although not out of danger, maintaining centrality can lead to small gains. Ninth Five 'Kǎn does not overflow, just level,' 'the middle is not great' meaning the danger is not filled up but can be maintained. 'Actions will be honored, going forward will achieve merit,' persistent progress can succeed. 'Practice constant virtue and learn diligently,' one must persevere in learning and improving. But avoid the deep entrapment of Initial Six 'entering a deep pit,' the futility of Sixth Three 'coming to Kǎn repeatedly, no merit in the end,' and the prolonged predicament of Top Six 'for three years it cannot be obtained.'
❤️ Relationships
Relationships encounter repeated difficulties. 'Repetitive Kǎn,' problems appear one after another. 'Water flows but does not overflow,' seems never able to be filled. The key is 'sincerity,' maintaining integrity. 'Acting amidst danger without losing sincerity,' even in difficulties, do not lose integrity. Sixth Four 'a goblet of wine, two bowls,' using simple food and drink 'making an agreement through the window' communicates sincerely, 'rigidity and flexibility meet,' combining firmness and adaptability, 'no blame in the end.' 'The heart will penetrate,' a steadfast heart can lead to success. But avoid the confusion of Initial Six 'losing the correct path, ominous,' the dilemma of Sixth Three 'dangerous and lying at ease,' and the inextricable trap of Top Six 'bound with thick ropes.'
🎯 Decision Making
Currently in a perilous situation requiring action. 'Repetitive Kǎn is repeated danger,' difficulties are abundant. 'With sincerity, the heart will penetrate' is fundamental: sincerity and a steadfast heart. 'Acting amidst danger without losing sincerity,' maintaining integrity in danger. 'Firm in the middle,' upholding the middle path. 'Actions will be honored, going forward will achieve merit,' persistent progress can lead to success. 'Practice constant virtue and learn diligently,' one must persevere and continue learning. 'Princes and dukes establish dangers to protect their states,' dangers also have their uses. Do not 'lose the correct path' like Initial Six, do not stagnate like Sixth Three, and do not be trapped for a long time like Top Six. Ninth Two 'seeking a small gain' and Ninth Five 'just level,' maintaining centrality can sustain. One must 'act amidst danger without losing sincerity,' not losing integrity due to peril. One must 'practice constant virtue,' not giving up halfway.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is the deep entrapment of Initial Six 'entering a deep pit.' 'Losing the correct path is ominous,' losing direction makes it more perilous. Sixth Three 'coming to Kǎn repeatedly,' 'no merit in the end,' difficulty in advancing or retreating ultimately leads to no merit. Top Six 'bound with thick ropes, placed in a thorny thicket,' trapped for three years, 'losing the path is ominous for three years,' unable to escape for a long time. 'Water flows but does not overflow,' do not expect the danger to disappear quickly. Ninth Two 'not yet out of the middle,' Ninth Five 'the middle is not great,' even by maintaining centrality, one is still in danger. One must 'act amidst danger without losing sincerity,' not losing integrity due to peril. One must 'practice constant virtue,' not giving up halfway.
Applicable Scenarios
The Kǎn hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
King Wen being imprisoned in Youli embodies the spirit of the Kǎn hexagram. He 'practiced Kǎn,' was in prison, 'entering a deep pit.' But 'with sincerity, the heart will penetrate,' his heart steadfastly held beliefs, 'acting amidst danger without losing sincerity,' he did not lose virtue in peril. 'Water flows but does not overflow,' the predicament seemed endless, but he 'practiced constant virtue,' persisting in interpreting the Yi. 'A goblet of wine, two bowls, making an agreement through the window,' he moved people with sincerity. Eventually, 'actions were honored,' he was released and returned to his state, his interpretation of the I Ching passed down through generations, 'going forward achieved merit.' This is the wisdom of the Kǎn hexagram: in danger, uphold beliefs; in difficulty, do not lose virtue; persevere, and eventually one can escape peril.
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 Kǎn 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: