Hexagram 10
Treading - Step on the Tiger's Tail
履
Meaning and Overview
The hexagram Treading consists of Heaven above and Lake below: the upper trigram is Qian (Heaven), the lower trigram is Dui (Lake). In this hexagram, 'the yielding treads upon the firm' refers to the lower trigram Dui treading upon the upper trigram Qian, for Dui is a yin trigram (yielding) and Qian is a yang trigram (firm). Within the lower trigram, 'the yielding treads upon the firm' specifically refers to the yin line at the third place (six in the third) treading upon the yang line at the second place (nine in the second). Only the third line is yin in this hexagram, making it a yin trigram; moreover, this yin line occupies a yang position, indicating severely insufficient capability, weakness, and lack of centrality and correctness. One must steadfastly adhere to the path of treading—that is, uphold ritual propriety—to avoid fault and danger. The line text for six in the third says: 'One-eyed but able to see, lame but able to tread. Treading on the tiger's tail, it bites—misfortune. A warrior acts for the great ruler.' 'One-eyed' means one eye is blind, leaving only one eye to barely see—severely deficient vision, implying that six in the third has severely insufficient powers of observation, thought, and judgment, unable to see the truth. 'Lame' means one leg is crippled, forcing walking with only one leg, limping and unsteady—severely deficient action ability, implying that six in the third has serious defects in action. Thus, following behind a tiger, because of poor vision and unsteady steps, it steps on the tiger's tail and is bitten—dangerous. This is like a mere warrior, far from capable, becoming a ruler—extremely perilous. Treading means walking; yang lines advance and have action ability, so all yang lines in this hexagram are auspicious or without fault. The best is the top line (nine at the top), which smoothly reaches the end—'primal good fortune' means great good fortune.
Chinese Interpretation
《履》卦上天下泽，上卦为乾为天，下卦为兑为泽。就《履》卦而言，“柔履刚”，是指下卦兑履上卦乾，因为下卦兑为阴卦，阴为柔，下卦为柔。上卦乾为阳，阳为刚，上卦为刚。就下卦而言，“柔履刚”，是指六三阴爻履九二阳爻。《履》卦只有六三为阴爻，因此属于阴卦，并且六三是阴爻居于阳位，能力严重不足，柔弱，不中正。必须坚守履道，即坚守礼制，才能避免过失与危险。六三爻辞：“眇能视，跛能履。履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人为于大君。”眇指两只眼睛有一只瞎了，只有一只眼睛能够勉强看见，视力严重不足，意思是六三观察能力、思考能力、判断能力严重不足，看不清事实真相。跛指一条腿坏了，只有一条腿走路，一瘸一拐的，走不好路，意思是说，六三的行动能力也严重不足，有严重缺陷。因此，六三跟在老虎后面，因为看不清、走不稳，会踩上老虎尾巴，会被老虎咬人，凶险。就像能力远远不够的一介武夫当上君主一样，十分凶险。履就是走路，阳爻主进，阳爻有行动能力，因此，《履》卦中的阳爻皆吉利或者无咎，最好的是上九爻，顺利走到终点，元吉即大吉。
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.
履虎尾，不咥人，亨。
跟着老虎尾巴前进，老虎不咬人，亨通。
Treading on the tiger's tail, it does not bite—success.
Following the tiger's tail, the tiger does not bite—progress and success.
初九，素履，往无咎。
初九爻，素位而进，做好分内之事，往前行走，不会有过错。
Nine at the beginning: Plain treading. Going forward, no fault.
The first line, nine at the beginning: Advance in simplicity, fulfilling one's proper duties. Going forward, there will be no fault.
九二，履道坦坦，幽人贞吉。
九二爻，所行之路平坦宽阔，幽静谨慎的行人稳健而吉利。
Nine in the second: Treading a smooth, level path. The secluded person's perseverance brings good fortune.
The second line, nine in the second: The path is smooth and broad. The quiet and cautious traveler is steady and fortunate.
六三，眇能视，跛能履。履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人为于大君。
六三爻，瞎了一只眼睛，勉强能看见；跛了一条腿，勉强能行走。跟着老虎尾巴前进，老虎咬人，十分凶险。武夫侥幸当了首领。
Six in the third: One-eyed but able to see, lame but able to tread. Treading on the tiger's tail, it bites—misfortune. A warrior acts for the great ruler.
The third line, six in the third: Blind in one eye, barely able to see; lame in one leg, barely able to walk. Following the tiger's tail, the tiger bites—great danger. A warrior by chance becomes a leader.
九四，履虎尾，愬愬，终吉。
九四爻，跟着老虎尾巴前进，小心谨慎，结果吉利。
Nine in the fourth: Treading on the tiger's tail, cautious and fearful—in the end, good fortune.
The fourth line, nine in the fourth: Following the tiger's tail, acting with caution and fear—the outcome is fortunate.
九五，夬履，贞厉。
九五爻，断然践履，心存危惧。
Nine in the fifth: Decisive treading. Perseverance brings danger.
The fifth line, nine in the fifth: Treading with resolve, yet harboring fear of danger.
上九，视履考祥，其旋元吉。
上九爻，回头看看所走过的路，考察其得失，掌握规律，结果大吉大利。
Top nine: Look back at the treading, examine the omens. Turning around brings primal good fortune.
The top line, nine at the top: Look back at the path trodden, examine gains and losses, grasp the pattern—the result is great good fortune.