Hexagram 48
The Well - Reform and Renewal
井
Meaning and Overview
The Well hexagram has the upper trigram Kan (Water) and the lower trigram Xun (Wind/Wood), forming the image of wood above water. The phrase 'entering into water and bringing up water' actually refers to an ancient tool called 'jie' used for drawing water from a well.
Chinese Interpretation
《井》卦上卦为坎为水，下卦为巽为风为木，卦象构成木上有水。辞说的“巽乎水而上水”，实际上是古时候的一种从水井里面提水的工具桔。
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.
改邑不改井，无丧无得，往来井井。汔至亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。
城镇村落等组织制度改变了，但水井却无法迁移改变，没有丧失也没有获得，人们仍然来来往往去井边汲水。用绳子系在瓶上提水，当水几乎快提上来时，却没能提上来，水瓶被撞坏了，凶险。
The town may be changed, but the well is not changed. It neither loses nor gains; people come and go, drawing from the well. If the rope reaches the water but the jug is not yet drawn up, or if the jug is broken, misfortune.
The organization and systems of towns and villages may change, but the well cannot be moved or altered. There is no loss or gain; people still come and go to draw water from the well. When using a rope to lift a jug, if the water is almost brought up but fails, and the jug is broken, it is dangerous.
初六，井泥不食，旧井无禽。
初六爻，水井里积满淤泥，井水不能饮用，水井已年久失修，不能取水。
At the first yin line: The well is muddy and not drunk from; the old well has no birds.
The first yin line: The well is filled with silt, the water cannot be drunk; the well is old and neglected, unable to provide water.
九二，井谷射鲋，瓮敝漏。
九二爻，在水井底部射捕小鱼，汲水的瓮已残破漏水。
At the second yang line: The well valley shoots fish; the jar is broken and leaks.
The second yang line: Shooting small fish at the bottom of the well; the jar for drawing water is broken and leaking.
九三，井渫不食，为我心恻；可用汲，王明并受其福。
九三爻，水井修治后井水可以汲用却没有人来汲用，我心里感到忧伤不已；井水已清洁，可以汲用，君王圣明，百姓都能蒙受君王的洪福恩泽。
At the third yang line: The well is cleansed but not drunk from; this grieves my heart. It can be drawn from; if the king is wise, all share in his blessing.
The third yang line: After the well is repaired, the water can be drawn but no one comes to draw it; my heart is deeply saddened. The water is now clean and can be drawn; if the king is wise and enlightened, the people all receive his great blessings.
六四，井甃无咎。
六四爻，用砖砌好井，不会有过错。
At the fourth yin line: The well is lined with bricks; no blame.
The fourth yin line: Lining the well with bricks; there is no fault.
九五，井洌，寒泉食。
九五爻，井水清亮，冰凉可口，可以饮用。
At the fifth yang line: The well is clear and cold; the cold spring is drunk.
The fifth yang line: The well water is clear and bright, cold and refreshing, fit to drink.
上六，井收勿幕，有孚元吉。
上六爻，井口收拢而不加覆盖，有诚信则大吉。
At the top yin line: The well is gathered in without a cover; with sincerity, great good fortune.
The top yin line: The well mouth is closed in but not covered; with sincerity, there is great good fortune.