Hexagram 29
The Abysmal Water - Double Danger
坎
Meaning and Overview
The Kan hexagram consists of a yang line trapped between two yin lines, with the upper trigram being Kan and the lower trigram also Kan, hence the saying 'Double Kan, double danger.' Because the yang line is trapped between yin lines, the yang is constrained by the yin, so the yang line cannot exert itself to accomplish great deeds, while the yin lines, by encroaching upon the yang, encounter danger. The Kan hexagram is generally inauspicious, though the hexagram statement is somewhat favorable: 'Double Kan, with sincerity, the heart is penetrating, action brings honor.' The line statements show the first six as inauspicious and the top six as inauspicious. The second and fifth lines, being yang and central, seek small gains—meaning small matters may yield some results, but great undertakings clearly will not. The fifth line is about remedying faults and will have no blame. The fourth line involves matters of sacrificial ritual: when encountering difficulties, calm the mind, offer sincere sacrifices, settle the spirit, and receive divine protection, so harm will naturally be eliminated. The Commentary explains that Kan represents danger, which can be used to guard the state: 'Heavenly danger cannot be ascended; earthly danger consists of mountains, rivers, and hills. Kings and dukes set up dangers to guard their states—great indeed is the timely use of danger!' In the view of the Zhouyi, everything has two sides; the key lies in how people recognize and utilize it. The Kan hexagram offers us enlightening guidance.
Chinese Interpretation
《坎》卦是一个阳爻陷入两个阴爻中间，上卦是坎，下卦也是坎，因此说“习坎，重险也”。《坎》卦因为阳爻陷入阴爻中间，阳为阴所拘束，因此，阳爻不能够施展手脚干大事，阴爻则因为陵乘阳爻而遭遇凶险。《坎》卦基本是凶卦，卦辞还好：“习坎，有孚，维心亨，行有尚。”爻辞则初六为凶，上六为凶。九二、九五阳爻，因为得中，九二求小得，是说干小事可以有点收获，干大事显然不行。九五是弥补过错，不会有咎害。六四则涉及祭祀礼制问题，遇到困难时，静下心来，诚心祭祀，心神安定，获得神灵保佑，自然最终祸害消除。《传》则说明坎，险也，可以用来守卫国家，“天险不可升也，地险山川丘陵也。王公设险以守其国，险之时用大矣哉”！在《周易》看来，任何事情都具有两面性，关键在于人们如何认识好它、利用好它，《坎》卦给我们的指示很有启发意义。
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.
习坎，有孚，维心亨，行有尚。
《坎》卦，上卦是坎，下卦也是坎，九五与九二两阳爻居中，互相信任，共济危难，行动一致。
Double Kan, with sincerity, the heart is penetrating, action brings honor.
The Kan hexagram: the upper trigram is Kan, the lower trigram is also Kan. The two yang lines at the fifth and second positions occupy the center, trusting each other, sharing in the crisis, and acting in unison.
初六，习坎，入于坎窞，凶。
初六爻，面临重重险阻，轻举妄动，不知戒备，仍然前行，结果陷入深渊之中，有生命危险。
First six: Double Kan, entering into the pit of the abyss, misfortune.
The first six line: facing repeated dangers, acting rashly without caution, still advancing, and as a result falling into the deep abyss, with mortal danger.
九二，坎有险，求小得。
九二爻，虽处险境之中，但行中正之道，刚健有为，力渡险难，会不断地获得小的进步。
Nine second: The abyss has danger, seeking small gains.
The nine second line: though in a dangerous situation, it follows the path of centrality and correctness, is strong and active, strives to cross the danger, and will continuously gain small progress.
六三，来之坎，坎险且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
六三爻，陷入重坎之中，前进又遇坎险，后退也不安稳，陷入深渊之中，不可妄动。
Six third: Coming to the abyss, the abyss is dangerous and pressing, entering into the pit of the abyss, do not act.
The six third line: trapped in double Kan, advancing encounters danger, retreating is also unstable, falling into the deep abyss, do not act rashly.
六四，樽酒簋贰，用缶，纳约自牖，终无咎。
六四爻，用樽酒簋盛满祭品，用瓦缶敲击，从窗户送入简约的祭品，最终没有咎害。
Six fourth: A vessel of wine and a basket of grain, using earthenware, presenting a simple offering through the window, in the end no blame.
The six fourth line: filling a vessel with wine and a basket with grain, striking earthenware, presenting a simple offering through the window, in the end no harm.
九五，坎不盈，祇既平，无咎。
九五爻，坎险尚未满盈，险阻已经平定，没有咎害。
Nine fifth: The abyss is not full, the danger is already leveled, no blame.
The nine fifth line: the danger of the abyss is not yet full, the obstacles have already been leveled, no harm.
上六，系用徽纆，寘于丛棘，三岁不得，凶。
上六爻，被绳索捆绑，置于荆棘丛中，三年不得解脱，凶险。
Top six: Bound with cords and ropes, placed in a thicket of thorns, for three years not obtaining release, misfortune.
The top six line: bound with ropes, placed in a thicket of thorns, for three years unable to escape, dangerous.