Above; heaven the creative
Below; a pool of water, joy.

Lu means both proper conduct, and literally treading on something. This is a symbol of the love and joy that exists between a father and his favourite daughter.
He treads upon the tail of the Tiger but it does not bite him. Success.
The youngest daughter is the representation of the wild and uncontrollable; the father is the stronger, and attempts to impose his will, and it is his love and correct conduct that will triumph. In more general terms, this means that the stronger, though troubled by the weaker, will acquiesce and do no harm, because the relationship is friendly and without rancour.

Weakness treads upon strength. But pleasure and satisfaction respond to strength, so there is no danger. He is raised to a high position, responding to heaven’s will, and cannot be harmed or distressed. He shines in glory.

Heaven above, the pool below is the image of treading. The Superior Man, consulting both high and low, knows his proper place and gains the approbation of the people.

Line 1

He goes forward in simplicity. There is no reproach.

Common conventions have little meaning for the man who takes simplicity and truth as his guidelines. He who asks nothing of others may act as he thinks best.

Line 2

The man in darkness treads a smooth and level path, and finds good fortune.

The ‘man in darkness’ is not one in ignorance or who does not know his way, but one who goes forward without attracting attention. He keeps to the middle path of Tao, asking nothing of anyone, and not diverted from his course by attractions of only superficial worth. Alone and self-sufficient, he is content and does not challenge fate; and therefore fortune smiles upon him.

Line 3

Even a one-eyed man can see. A lame man can walk. He treads upon the tail of the Tiger and is bitten. Misfortune.

The champion plays the part of the king. Though the one-eyed man can see, he cannot see well enough; like a lame man he stumbles on to the tiger’s tail, inviting danger which it is beyond his power to combat. So the king’s champion, boasting the strength of his lord, may be tempted to think himself a powerful ruler when his only a man of muscle. No one should attempt to push ahead beyond the limit of his own abilities.

Line 4

He treads upon the tail of the tiger, but caution and circumspection bring good fortune in the end.

In a dangerous enterprize inner power must be combined with cautious understanding of the situation and final success will only be achieved by circumspection. Only the man who knows what he is doing and proceeds carefully dare tread upon the tiger’s tail with impunity.

Line 5

He treads with care. Persistence, but conscious of danger.

One must be resolute and firm in conduct, but there is still danger, and obstinate perseverance is perilous unless the danger is well understood.

Line 6

Watching his step, and the length of the path that he treads, heeding the favourable omens brings great good fortune.

The enterprise nears completion. The wise man examines the way he has come, and what lies before him. Only by comprehending the consequences of all his actions can he know what he can expect.

© 1979 Neil Powell

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