Above; Mountain. Stillness
Below; wind, gentleness

The Chinese character Gu, is said to represent ‘a bowl’, in whose contents worms are breeding. This is because the gentleness and indifference of the lower trigram has been covered by the unmoving solidity of the upper trigram. In these enclosed conditions the expected result is stagnation, fermentation, and decay. But just as natural decay can be controlled to provide desirable fermentation products such as soy sauce or rice wine, so the condition of decay represented by Gu can be arrested and exploited.

Proper control of decay affords progress and success. It is advantageous to cross the great water. Three days before the beginning; three days after.
“Crossing the great water” symbolizes any important undertaking, whether it involves a journey or not.
The passage; ‘three days before the beginning; three days after’ has provoked much discussion. In any properly controlled fermentation there is an initial period before the process really begins to work, and another period at the end of which it is important to arrest fermentation.
The inception and growth of some new idea may therefore be likened in many details to the process of fermentation.

In Gu, we have the strong and immovable above, the weak and pliant below. But control of the processes of decay leads to good order everywhere under heaven. He who goes firmly forward will come to business that must be dealt with. The ending of confusion marks the beginning of order.
Decay comes about due to neglect and abuse. This time is a turning point and an opportunity to restore what has deteriorated. Pay attention, take initiative, and get to the root of things. The effort is rewarding.

The wind blows at the foot of the mountain. The Superior Man, addressing himself to the people, rouses them up and strengthens his resolve.

Line 1

A son repairs the errors of his father. A good son, redeeming the reputation of his father. At first, danger, but in the end good fortune.

The father is the representative of convention and tradition, perhaps the ruler of a state, who has allowed the vitality of himself and his country to degenerate into mere form and custom. The son symbolizes the vigour of youth. A new leader who is able to revitalize the state. But before he emerges there is great danger that the existing system will destroy itself. Repair is difficult but doable.

Line 2

A son repairs the errors of the mother. But he should not be too inflexible.

Here the errors have not been committed by a strong man, but out of weakness or careless indifference. In setting things right, a degree of kindness and consideration is necessary.

Line 3

A son repairs the errors of his father. There will be some remorse, but no great blame.

Here the young man has been too precipitate in arresting the processes of decay, like one who has stopped the process of fermentation of wine prematurely. But too much energy is better than too little energy, and so, although his hasty actions may cause him certain regrets, he is free of reproach.

Line 4

The son condones the errors of his father. Persisting he falls into disgrace.

The significance of this line lies in recognizing the processes of decay, and in understanding the right moment at which to bring them to a stop. The indulgent son who is not confident enough to put right the mistakes of the past will bring humiliation upon himself as well as on his father. Laziness or indifference to the task of putting things right brings reproach.

Line 5

The son repairs the errors of his father and wins praise.

The fifth line is the position of the ruler. The true leader receives acclaim for his actions in arresting the process of decay, particularly in that he also accepts responsibility for the previous shortcomings of others.

Line 6

He does not serve the emperor but seeks higher goals.

There are some who do not feel themselves obliged to concern themselves with worldly affairs, but who prefer to withdraw into their private thoughts. This withdrawal is justified when the Superior Man turns his mind to spiritual matters. The purpose of the sage is not to redeem the present but to create the values of the future.

© 1979 Neil Powell

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