In practice
The judgment
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
The poetry
Contemplation
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
The image
Wind moves over the earth: contemplation. So the ancient kings visited the regions, observed the people and set up teaching.
The lines
- Line 6上九
If you observe the laws that govern the world, the coming and going of things, you'll act wisely.
Contemplating their life. For the noble person, no fault.
- Line 5九五
If you observe responsibly, you'll see how similar situations turned out in the past and can apply the corrections now.
Contemplating my own life. For the noble person, no fault.
- Line 4六四
You can look at things with wisdom and bring light where there is darkness. This will bring you recognition.
Contemplating the light of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the king's guest.
- Line 3六三
Observing yourself, along with the signs coming from outside, will give you a full view of the situation and let you decide whether to advance or pull back.
Contemplating my own life: advancing or withdrawing.
- Line 2六二
If your perception is subjective, you'll stay on the surface and never reach the heart of the situation.
Peeking through a crack. A woman's constancy is favorable.
- Line 1初六
It doesn't help to stop at appearances when you observe something. Go beyond simple looking: connect the facts.
Looking like a child. For the petty person, no fault; for the noble person, distress.
Its 63 transformations
Depending on which lines move in your cast, Observing turns into another hexagram. Pick the lines from your cast.
One moving line
6
Two moving lines
15
- 61Inner Integritylines 1 and 2
- 37The Tribelines 1 and 3
- 57Gentlenesslines 2 and 3
- 25Innocencelines 1 and 4
- 6Conflictlines 2 and 4
- 33Leaving Behindlines 3 and 4
- 27Nourishmentlines 1 and 5
- 4Immaturitylines 2 and 5
- 52Abidinglines 3 and 5
- 35Advancelines 4 and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1 and 6
- 29Waterlines 2 and 6
- 39Held Backlines 3 and 6
- 45Meetinglines 4 and 6
- 2Passivitylines 5 and 6
Three moving lines
20
- 9Small Thingslines 1, 2, and 3
- 10Treading Carefullylines 1, 2, and 4
- 13Gathering with Equalslines 1, 3, and 4
- 44Lack of Firmnesslines 2, 3, and 4
- 41Decreaselines 1, 2, and 5
- 22Good Mannerslines 1, 3, and 5
- 18Loss, Then Gainlines 2, 3, and 5
- 21Bitinglines 1, 4, and 5
- 64Transitionlines 2, 4, and 5
- 56The Travelerlines 3, 4, and 5
- 60Thriftlines 1, 2, and 6
- 63After the Endlines 1, 3, and 6
- 48Right Actionlines 2, 3, and 6
- 17Adaptinglines 1, 4, and 6
- 47Overwhelmedlines 2, 4, and 6
- 31Attractionlines 3, 4, and 6
- 24Coming Backlines 1, 5, and 6
- 7The Armylines 2, 5, and 6
- 15Simplicitylines 3, 5, and 6
- 16Passionlines 4, 5, and 6
Four moving lines
15
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 58Inner Peacelines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 36Darknesslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 46Going Uplines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 62Success in Small Matterslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Five moving lines
6
All six lines moving
1
The classical text
觀：盥而不薦，有孚顒若。
象曰：風行地上，觀；先王以省方，觀民設教。
初六：童觀，小人无咎，君子吝。
六二：窺觀，利女貞。
六三：觀我生，進退。
六四：觀國之光，利用賓于王。
九五：觀我生，君子无咎。
上九：觀其生，君子无咎。
Related hexagrams
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.