Hexagram 52
Gen - Keeping Still, Mountain
艮
Meaning and Overview
Chinese Interpretation
（无导读内容）
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
艮其背，不获其身；行其庭，不见其人，无咎。
《艮》卦，在他的背面停下来，不知道那人是谁。在庭院中背对背行走，看不见那人的模样，不会有什么过失。
Keeping still at the back, he does not obtain his person; walking in the courtyard, he does not see the person—no blame.
The Gen hexagram: stopping at his back, not knowing who that person is; walking back-to-back in the courtyard, not seeing that person's appearance—there will be no fault.
初六，艮其趾，无咎，利永贞。
初六爻，止住脚趾不动，不会有过失，有利于长期坚守正道。
Six at the beginning: keeping still at the toes—no blame, it furthers to be steadfast and upright.
The first six line: stopping the toes from moving—no fault, beneficial for long-term adherence to the right path.
六二，艮其腓，不拯其随，其心不快。
六二爻，止住小腿不动，不能跟随别人行动，心里不愉快。
Six in the second place: keeping still at the calves—he cannot rescue those he follows, his heart is not glad.
The second six line: stopping the calves from moving—unable to follow others' actions, the heart is displeased.
九三，艮其限，列其夤，厉，薰心。
九三爻，止住腰身不动，腰背部的背脊肉被撕裂致伤，十分危险，心里焦灼不安。
Nine in the third place: keeping still at the waist—splitting the back muscles, danger, the heart is suffocated.
The third nine line: stopping the waist from moving—the back muscles are torn and injured, very dangerous, the heart is anxious and uneasy.
六四，艮其身，无咎。
六四爻，止住其身体不动，不会有过失。
Six in the fourth place: keeping still at the body—no blame.
The fourth six line: stopping the body from moving—no fault.
六五，艮其辅，言有序，悔亡。
六五爻，止住其嘴巴不让乱说，言语有条理，悔恨会消失。
Six in the fifth place: keeping still at the jaw—words are orderly, regret vanishes.
The fifth six line: stopping the mouth from speaking recklessly—words are orderly, regret disappears.
上九，敦艮，吉。
上九爻，敦厚地止住不动，吉祥。
Nine at the top: keeping still with firmness—good fortune.
The top nine line: stopping with sincerity and firmness—auspicious.
《彖》曰：艮，止也。时止则止，时行则行，动静不失其时，其道光明。艮其止，止其所也。上下敌应，不相与也。是以“不获其身，行其庭，不见其人，无咎”也。
《彖辞》说：《艮》卦，止住不动的意思，时机与环境要求停止即停止下来，时机与环境要求行动即行动起来，行动与停止不能与时机和环境的要求相违背，这种动静的规律光明伟大啊。停住不动，停止在原来的地方不动。上下两卦各爻相互敌应，爻与爻之间没有配合呼应，因此说不知道背面的人是谁，脸背过去在庭院中行走，看不见那人的模样，不会有过失啊。
The Tuan Commentary says: Gen means stopping. When it is time to stop, stop; when it is time to act, act. In movement and stillness, do not miss the time—the Way is bright. Keeping still at the stopping means stopping in its proper place. The upper and lower lines oppose each other and do not correspond. Therefore it is said: 'He does not obtain his person; walking in the courtyard, he does not see the person—no blame.'
The Tuan Commentary says: The Gen hexagram means stopping. When the time and circumstances require stopping, then stop; when they require acting, then act. Action and stopping must not contradict the requirements of time and circumstances—this law of movement and stillness is bright and great. Stopping means staying still in the original place. The upper and lower trigrams' lines oppose each other, with no correspondence between lines. Therefore it is said: 'Not knowing who the person on the back is, walking with face turned away in the courtyard, not seeing that person's appearance—there will be no fault.'
《象》曰：兼山，艮，君子以思不出其位。
《大象辞》说：上下卦为艮为山，组成《艮》卦；君子从《艮》卦中获得启示，思考问题应该不超出其职责范围。
The Image says: Double mountain—Gen. The noble person, in his thoughts, does not go beyond his position.
The Great Image says: The upper and lower trigrams are Gen, representing mountains, forming the Gen hexagram. The noble person, inspired by this hexagram, should not let his thoughts exceed his sphere of duty.
《象》曰：“艮其趾”，未失正也。“不拯其随”，未退听也。“艮其限”，危薰心也。“艮其身”，止诸躬也。“艮其辅”，以中正也。“敦艮”之吉，以厚终也。
《小象辞》说：止住脚趾不动，没有失去正道啊。未能跟随别人而动，没有违背听从别人的原则啊。止住腰身不动，十分危险，心里焦灼不安啊。止住身体不动，止住自己的身体不动啊。止住其嘴巴不让乱说，因为言语要符合中正之道啊。敦厚地止住，吉祥，因为敦厚能够有好结果啊。
The Small Image says: 'Keeping still at the toes'—he has not lost what is correct. 'He cannot rescue those he follows'—he does not retreat to listen. 'Keeping still at the waist'—danger suffocates the heart. 'Keeping still at the body'—stopping in oneself. 'Keeping still at the jaw'—through centrality and correctness. The good fortune of 'keeping still with firmness'—through sincerity to the end.
The Small Image says: Stopping the toes from moving—he has not lost the right path. Being unable to follow others' movements—he has not violated the principle of following others. Stopping the waist from moving—very dangerous, the heart is anxious and uneasy. Stopping the body from moving—stopping one's own body. Stopping the mouth from speaking recklessly—because words must conform to the way of centrality and correctness. Stopping with sincerity—auspicious, because sincerity can lead to a good outcome.