Hexagram 47: Oppression
Hexagram 47, known as Kun (困) in Chinese, represents the principle of exhaustion and oppression. This hexagram is composed of the lake trigram above and the water trigram below, creating an image of a lake whose waters are trapped and confined, symbolizing how circumstances can create temporary limitation and difficulty.
Trigram Analysis
The upper trigram is Lake (☱), composed of one solid line above two broken lines, representing joy, openness, and reflection. The lower trigram is Water (☵), composed of one solid line between two broken lines, representing danger, flow, and adaptability.
When these trigrams combine, they create a metaphor for confined potential. Lake's expansive nature above water's flowing tendency suggests how vital forces can be temporarily restricted. This combination points to the importance of maintaining inner strength during times of adversity.
Symbolic Representations
In nature, Hexagram 47 corresponds to water trapped in a lake with no outlet, or a tree whose growth is restricted. This natural metaphor represents how external circumstances can create temporary limitations and challenges.
The hexagram also represents the sage who maintains dignity and inner strength during difficult times. This human dimension emphasizes the importance of spiritual resilience in the face of adversity.
Core Meanings and Attributes
The essence of Hexagram 47 is the power of inner strength during adversity. This manifests as:
The virtue of endurance. The power of resilience. The wisdom of patience. The importance of spirit. The strength of character.
These attributes combine to create a powerful symbol of overcoming difficulty. The hexagram suggests a time when inner strength and spiritual resilience are essential.
Line Meanings
Each line in Hexagram 47 represents a different aspect of oppression:
The first line shows sitting in oppression under a bare tree, suggesting initial difficulty.
The second line indicates oppression at wine and food, representing basic needs under strain.
The third line shows oppression by stones, warning about severe obstacles.
The fourth line demonstrates coming slowly, indicating gradual progress through difficulty.
The fifth line shows nose and feet cut off, representing extreme challenges.
The sixth line reveals oppression by vines, suggesting entanglement that can be overcome.
Practical Applications
In practical terms, Hexagram 47 often appears when there is a need to maintain spirit during difficult times. It suggests a time when inner strength and patience are crucial. The hexagram encourages:
Maintaining dignity. Preserving spirit. Building resilience. Understanding temporality. Cultivating strength.
Relationships with Other Hexagrams
Hexagram 47 has a special relationship with Hexagram 48 (The Well), as they represent complementary aspects of adversity. While Hexagram 47 focuses on enduring difficulty, Hexagram 48 deals with finding sustainable nourishment.
The hexagram also relates to others that share its trigrams or themes of endurance and resilience, providing context for understanding different aspects of oppression.
Modern Interpretation
In contemporary usage, Hexagram 47 often appears in situations requiring endurance or spiritual strength. It can indicate:
A time for patience. The need for resilience. An opportunity for growth through adversity. The importance of inner strength. A reminder of temporality.
Meditative Implications
As a meditation focus, Hexagram 47 offers insights into the nature of adversity and resilience. It invites contemplation of:
The process of endurance. The role of spirit. The proper response to difficulty. The balance between acceptance and resistance. The path through adversity.
Historical Context
In traditional Chinese thought, Hexagram 47 was associated with the concept of maintaining dignity and inner strength during difficult times. This connection emphasizes its relevance to both personal character and social resilience.
The hexagram was also linked to the importance of spiritual strength during adversity, highlighting how inner resilience serves both individual and collective needs.
Summary
Hexagram 47 represents the principle of oppression and adversity, manifesting as the wisdom of maintaining inner strength during difficult times. Its combination of lake and water trigrams creates a powerful image of confined potential, while its line meanings offer guidance on navigating various aspects of difficulty.
Understanding this hexagram provides insights into the nature of adversity and the proper approach to maintaining spirit, while its practical applications offer guidance for contemporary situations requiring endurance and inner strength. Whether appearing in divination or serving as a focus for meditation, Hexagram 47 reminds us that true strength often emerges through maintaining dignity and spirit during challenging times.
Next Hexagram: Hexagram 48.
Previous Hexagram: Hexagram 46.
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