Modesty - The Hexagram of Humility

Meaning and Overview

The Hexagram of Modesty (Qian) has only one yang line at the third position (nine in the third place). This yang line does not occupy the second or fifth positions, which are considered central; yet it is auspicious. This characteristic breaks the convention of the Zhouyi that only a ruling line in a central position brings good fortune. For example, in the Hexagram of Fellowship (Tongren), the ruling line is six in the second place (central); in the Hexagram of Great Possession (Dayou), the ruling line is six in the fifth place (central); in the Hexagram of Alliance (Bi), the ruling line is nine in the fifth place (central). In the Hexagram of Modesty, the lower trigram is Gen (Mountain) and the upper trigram is Kun (Earth). The mountain is within the earth, indicating that the mountain does not compete with the earth for height but naturally stands above it. The lower trigram Gen belongs to the yang trigram, representing the Way of Heaven; the upper trigram Kun belongs to the yin trigram, representing the Way of Earth. The Way of Heaven resides below the Way of Earth, signifying that Heaven descends to benefit, while Earth rises, and yin and yang interact, similar to the principle of the Hexagram of Peace (Tai). The Commentary on the Judgment says: 'The Way of Heaven descends to benefit and becomes bright; the Way of Earth is lowly and rises upward. The Way of Heaven diminishes the full and increases the humble; the Way of Earth transforms the full and flows to the humble; spirits and ghosts harm the full and bless the humble; the Way of humanity hates the full and loves the humble.' In the view of the commentator, modesty is opposed to fullness: modesty implies deficiency and dissatisfaction, while fullness implies abundance and completeness. The commentator believes modesty is better than fullness. The Way of Heaven, the Way of Earth, the Way of spirits and ghosts, and the Way of humanity all diminish, transform, harm, and hate the full, while benefiting, flowing to, blessing, and loving the humble. The Hexagram of Modesty is a typical characteristic of Chinese culture. Chinese people and Chinese culture are modest and not arrogant. In the late Qing dynasty, Zeng Guofan deeply understood its mystery. Chairman Mao also said, 'Pride leads to loss, modesty leads to progress.' Carefully contemplating and savoring the images, judgments, line statements, and commentaries of the Hexagram of Modesty will bring boundless benefits.