Above; wind, gentleness
Below; water, dangerous pit

The wind blows across the water, dispersing it into spume, mists, and eventually drying it up. So a man’s energy, which is dangerously dammed up within him, may be released by gentleness.

Huan indicates progress and success. The king approaches his ancestral temple. It is advantageous to cross the great water. Crossing the great water indicates not only a journey of some sort, but an undertaking of any sort. It is advantageous to be righteously persistent in all.

Successful progress is symbolized by the strong yang line in the second place which is not exhausted there. The weak yin line in the fourth place is appropriately outside the lower trigram. The fifth line above representing the king, responds to it. The king approaching his ancestral temple and occupying the centre of the upper trigram is maintaining his position without any change of mind.
One of the additional attributes of the upper trigram is wood. The advantage of crossing the great water derives from mounting upon a vessel of wood and great success is the result.

The wind blowing over the water is the image of Huan. So the kings of old built temples in which to sacrifice to the supreme being.

Line 1

He brings assistance with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.

The wind over the water can bring clouds and if they are not dispersed by a constant wind they will bring rainstorms. At such a time it is important to join together in vigorous action before concealed divisions of opinion bring about misunderstanding.

Line 2

In the midst of dispersal he hastens to the altar. Regrets vanish.

The symbolism of the upper trigram is of a temple in which one can find shelter from the dangers of the pit below. The implication is that one should find some spiritual means of protection from the evil. The altar represents the means that one has established to protect oneself.

Line 3

All self-interest is dispersed. No regrets.

Only by a great renunciation can a man obtain the strength to achieve great things. He must put aside all personal desires that may come between him and the welfare of others. He must set his sights on a goal outside himself.

Line 4

He disperses his followers. Great good fortune. Dispersal leads to accumulation. Good men standing like a mound. Something that ordinary people would not have thought of.

The following who are dispersed are those who have not proved themselves equal to their tasks. ‘Cast thy bread upon the waters for thou shalt find it after many days.’ The man of good intent who rids himself of incompetent companions and who continues on his self-appointed path of service to the community will soon be joined by others of like mind.

Line 5

He issues his proclamations as sweat flows from the body. The king scatters is stores among the people without blame.

Just as a high fever is dispersed in perspiration, so the king may relieve his anxieties by dispersing his possessions among the needy. Great and generous ideas are necessary for success at this time.

Line 6

He disperses bloodiness. He keeps evil at a distance. He departs without blame.

All the commentaries upon this text disagree upon the precise meaning of the words. But it seems clear that ‘dispersing bloodiness’ means the avoidance of bloodshed and removing oneself from the danger of injury.

© 1979 Neil Powell

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