Outline（大纲）
- Hexagram Identification
- Keywords
- Historical Context
- Core Interpretation
- Symbolic Representation
- Qualities and Attributes
- Line-by-Line Analysis
- Comparative Analogies
- Related Resources
- Modern Relevance & Guidance
- Essence Summary
Hexagram Identification
- Number: 48
- Chinese Name (Pinyin): 井 (Jǐng)
- English Name: The Well
- Symbol & Structure: ䷯ (Xùn 巽 below, Kǎn 坎 above). The lower trigram Xùn represents Wind (风 fēng, adaptability, penetration), and the upper trigram Kǎn represents Water (水 shuǐ, life, depth). Together, they form “Water over Wind” (水风井 shuǐ fēng jǐng), symbolizing a well—stable, life-nourishing, and continuously renewed. Wind below suggests the subtle flow that keeps water fresh, while Water above represents the well’s life-giving essence.
Keywords
- The Well (井): Sustaining life through consistent nourishment
- Renewal (更新): Constantly refreshing resources
- Community (社区): Serving as a central hub for shared benefit
- Steady Contribution (持续奉献): Giving without exhaustion
- Inner Depth (内在深度): Drawing from core strength
- Trustworthy Stability (可靠稳定): Remaining constant through change
- Collective Nurture (集体滋养): Supporting others from a full heart
- Prudent Maintenance (审慎维护): Caring for what sustains life
Historical Context
Jǐng appears as the 48th hexagram in the I Ching, following Kùn (Oppression, 47th hexagram) and preceding Gǎo (Transformation, 49th hexagram). Its name “井” means “well,” using the metaphor of a well to discuss sustained contribution and renewal. The judgment “Jǐng: 改邑不改井，无丧无得，往来井井；汔至，亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶” (“The Well: Changing the town, not the well. No loss, no gain. People come and go, but the well remains. If the bucket is nearly there but not drawn, or the bottle breaks, danger”) emphasizes that true value lies in maintaining and using resources wisely.
Classic interpretations include:
- Wang Bi (魏晋・王弼) in Commentary on the I Ching (《周易注》) stressed “the well’s unchanging virtue” (井德 jǐng dé), arguing that consistent contribution creates lasting benefit.
- Kong Yingda (唐・孔颖达) in Zhouyi 正义 (《周易正义》) linked the hexagram to “nurturing the people” (养民 yǎng mín), using the well as a symbol of governance that sustains communities.
- Zhu Xi (宋・朱熹) in The Meaning of the I Ching (《周易本义》) emphasized “renewal through use” (用而不竭 yòng ér bù jié), noting that a well becomes more valuable as it serves others.
Historically, Jǐng was used to discuss agriculture, social welfare, and personal cultivation, highlighting the importance of maintaining core values amid change.
Core Interpretation
Jǐng embodies the principle of “sustained nourishment through stable, renewable resources”. Xùn’s Wind (Yin, adaptive) below symbolizes the subtle forces that keep the well’s water fresh (e.g., underground streams), while Kǎn’s Water (Yang, life-giving) above represents the well’s visible benefit. The hexagram’s structure—with two Yang lines (central strength) and four Yin lines (nurturing, receptive)—reflects the balance between a firm core (e.g., clean water) and adaptable support (e.g., well walls).
- Yin-Yang Dynamics: The 2nd Yang line (九二) and 5th Yang line (九五) form the well’s “axis of stability,” ensuring that even as conditions change (Yin lines), the well’s purpose (Yang strength) remains.
- Five Elements: Xùn (Wind) belongs to Wood (木 mù), Kǎn (Water) to Water (水 shuǐ). Water nourishes Wood (水生木 shuǐ shēng mù), symbolizing how the well’s life-giving energy (Water) sustains growth (Wood), creating a cycle of renewal.
Symbolic Representation
Natural Symbolism
- The Well (井): A natural or man-made source of water, symbolizing life’s foundational resources. Like a well, true nourishment is deep, steady, and accessible to all who seek it.
- Underground Springs: Hidden sources that feed the well, mirroring the hexagram’s theme of drawing from inner depth (e.g., personal values) to sustain outer life.
Social Symbolism
In human affairs, Jǐng applies to:
- Community Hub: A local library or park serving as a “well” of shared resources, fostering connection and growth.
- Team Culture: A company’s core values (the well) that nourish employees, ensuring stability amid organizational changes.
Cultural Symbolism
- Confucian Benevolence: The hexagram aligns with Confucius’ teaching of “serving others from a full heart” (己欲立而立人 jǐ yù lì ér lì rén), where personal integrity (the well’s depth) enables compassionate action.
- Taoist Flow: Laozi’s “the well never runs dry” (井养而不穷 jǐng yǎng ér bù qióng) is reflected in Jǐng’s imagery, advocating sustainable giving that replenishes itself.
- Ritual Symbolism: Ancient well-worshipping ceremonies honored the source of life, symbolizing gratitude for sustained nourishment.
Qualities and Attributes
Jǐng celebrates virtues that transform stability into abundance:
- Generous Sustainability (慷慨可持续): Giving freely while preserving resources, like a teacher sharing knowledge without burning out.
- Steady Reliability (稳定可靠): Being a consistent presence, such as a friend who offers support through life’s ups and downs.
- Prudent Care (审慎关怀): Maintaining relationships or projects with attention to detail, like cleaning a well to keep it functional.
- Inner Resilience (内在韧性): Drawing from core values during challenges, much like a well that remains full during drought.
Line-by-Line Analysis
1st Yin Line (初六：井泥不食，旧井无禽)
“Mud in the well, water undrinkable; an old well attracts no birds.”
Meaning: Neglect leads to stagnation—cleanse and renew.
Guidance: In a stale routine, declutter (e.g., “Revamp your workspace”) to restore vitality.
2nd Yang Line (九二：井谷射鲋，瓮敝漏)
“Shooting small fish in a well’s ditch; a broken jar leaks.”
Meaning: Focus on primary goals, not trivial distractions.
Guidance: In a project, prioritize key tasks (e.g., “Finalize the core feature first”) to avoid wasting energy.
3rd Yang Line (九三：井渫不食，为我心恻；可用汲，王明，并受其福)
“A clean well unused saddens my heart; it can be drawn from—if a wise king sees its value, all benefit.”
Meaning: Share your gifts when the time is right.
Guidance: If your skills are underused, seek opportunities (e.g., “Volunteer to lead a project”) to bring value to others.
4th Yin Line (六四：井甃，无咎)
“Repairing the well’s walls; no blame.”
Meaning: Strengthen foundations to ensure longevity.
Guidance: In a relationship, address small issues (e.g., “Apologize for a misunderstanding”) to prevent bigger problems.
5th Yang Line (九五：井冽，寒泉食)
“A clear, cold spring—delicious to drink.”
Meaning: Peak quality comes from purity and depth.
Guidance: In personal growth, cultivate inner clarity (e.g., “Practice mindfulness”) to offer your best to the world.
6th Yin Line (上六：井收，勿幕；有孚元吉)
“Cover the well gently, don’t seal it; trust brings great auspiciousness.”
Meaning: Share your resources openly with trust.
Guidance: In a team, promote knowledge sharing (e.g., “Host regular learning sessions”) to foster collective growth.
Comparative Analogies
Ecology
- Aquifers: Underground water reserves that sustain ecosystems, mirroring the well’s role as a hidden source of life, as seen in the 九三爻的 “可用汲”.
- Bee Hives: A collective system that nurtures its members, with each bee contributing to the hive’s “well” of honey, reflecting Jǐng’s communal nourishment.
Management
In organizational culture, Jǐng advises “sustainable leadership”:
- Google’s 20% Time: Allowing employees to explore passion projects (nurturing the “well” of creativity), leading to innovations like Google Maps.
- Nonprofit Endowments: Maintaining a financial “well” through prudent management (六四爻的 “井甃”), ensuring long-term impact.
Psychology
- Emotional Resilience: Building an “inner well” of coping strategies (e.g., meditation) to handle stress, aligning with the 九五爻的 “井冽寒泉”.
- Social Support Networks: Friends and family as a “well” of emotional nourishment, echoing the hexagram’s emphasis on shared sustenance.
Related Resources
- Classic Translations
- I Ching: The Book of Changes (Richard Wilhelm & Cary F. Baynes, 1950) – Describes Jǐng as “the well” and highlights the importance of maintenance and shared benefit.
- The I Ching: A New Translation (John Minford, 2014) – Emphasizes the hexagram’s focus on “renewable contribution” and its relevance to community and personal growth.
- Modern Studies
- Confucian Theories of Sustenance (Chen Lai, 2018) – Explores Jǐng’s influence on concepts of “ethical nourishment” in social systems.
- Taoist Ecology of Renewal (Livia Kohn, 2011) – Connects the hexagram to Taoist practices of “guarding the inner well” for physical and spiritual health.
- Authoritative Websites
- I Ching Online (https://www.ichingonline.net) – Offers practical advice for nurturing personal and professional “wells” of resources using Jǐng’s wisdom.
- Harvard Business Review – Organizational Culture (https://hbr.org) – Articles on building sustainable team cultures, aligned with the hexagram’s communal nourishment.
- Psychology Today – Emotional Resilience (https://www.psychologytoday.com) – Guides to developing inner resources, echoing Jǐng’s focus on depth and renewal.
Modern Relevance & Guidance
Workplace & Leadership
- Cultivate Core Values: Use the 初六爻的警示 —regularly refresh organizational values (e.g., “Hold quarterly mission reviews”) to avoid stagnation.
- Invest in Team Growth: Emulate the 六四爻的 “井甃”—provide training (e.g., “Sponsor skill-building workshops”) to strengthen team foundations.
- Promote Knowledge Sharing: Follow the 上六爻的 “勿幕”—create open platforms (e.g., internal wikis) for sharing expertise, fostering a collaborative “well” of ideas.
Personal Growth
- Nurture Inner Resources: Like the 九五爻的 “寒泉”，prioritize activities that replenish you (e.g., “Daily nature walks”) to sustain productivity.
- Maintain Relationships: Apply the 九三爻的 “可用汲”—offer support to others when you’re ready, creating a reciprocal cycle of care.
Community & Relationships
- Build Shared Spaces: Create community hubs (e.g., a neighborhood garden) to act as a “well” of connection, as seen in the hexagram’s communal symbolism.
- Practice Generosity: Share your skills freely (e.g., “Teach a free workshop”) without exhausting yourself, embodying the well’s sustainable giving.
Risk Warning
- Avoid Neglect: The hexagram cautions against the 初六爻的 “井泥”—don’t let your talents or relationships become stagnant. Regularly assess and refresh them.
- Balance Giving and Receiving: Don’t overdraw from your “well” (九二爻的 “瓮敝漏”). Set boundaries (e.g., “Schedule downtime”) to prevent burnout.
Essence Summary
Jǐng, the Hexagram of The Well, reveals a timeless truth: true abundance lies not in endless accumulation, but in the wisdom to nurture and share what sustains us. Its image of Water over Wind teaches us that like a well, life’s deepest value comes from a stable core (Water’s depth) and adaptable renewal (Wind’s flow)—a balance that ensures we give generously without exhausting ourselves, and receive gratefully without depleting the source.
In a world often focused on rapid growth and short-term gain, Jǐng offers a gentle reminder: sustainability is the key to lasting impact. Whether in a career, a relationship, or personal practice, the hexagram invites us to tend to our inner “wells”—cultivating clarity, renewing our resources, and sharing our gifts with trust and care. Like a well that serves a community for generations, our actions become most meaningful when they contribute to a cycle of nourishment that uplifts both ourselves and others.
Ultimately, Jǐng celebrates the beauty of “renewable connection”—the understanding that when we maintain our core values, adapt to change with grace, and share our abundance wisely, we create a legacy of sustenance that transcends time. It encourages us to see life not as a race for more, but as a journey of tending to the well within and around us, trusting that in the quiet act of nurturing, we uncover the deepest source of purpose and joy.