Hexagram 47 · 泽水困

Oppression

Metal · Dui palace

Being used up under constraint; hold your word, conserve.

Meaning

Water escaped from the lake: a depleted situation. Oppression describes constraint experienced as a drain, without outward drama.

Decision Framework

Endure accurately; conserve what remains.

Decision Guidance

Oppression is unfavourable, and its particular quality is impoverishment rather than danger. It appears when resources, energy or freedom are being consumed by constraint—a demanding obligation, a limited position, a run of small pressures.

The classical instruction is to remain truthful and accurate under this pressure, particularly with your word, and not to attempt grand gestures. Do not exhaust yourself proving what you would do if circumstances were different. Conserve, keep your commitments honest, and recognise that what the hexagram praises here is the conduct of someone being tested by scarcity.

Judgment — Classical Text

亨，贞，大人吉，无咎。有言不信。

EN Success, perseverance; the great one has good fortune, no blame. Words are not believed.

The Six Lines — Classical Text

初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷。
EN Initial six: the seat oppressed by a bare tree, entering the dark valley — three years without seeing the light.
九二：困于酒食，朱绂方来。
EN Nine in the second: oppressed by wine and food; the crimson sash is coming — it is fitting to sacrifice; setting out brings misfortune, no blame.
六三：困于石，据于蒺藜。
EN Six in the third: oppressed by stone, resting on thorns — entering the house and not seeing his wife: misfortune.
九四：来徐徐，困于金车。
EN Nine in the fourth: coming slowly, oppressed by a golden carriage — regret, but in the end a good completion.
九五：劓刖，困于赤绂，乃徐有说。
EN Nine in the fifth: nose and feet cut off, oppressed by the crimson sash — slowly there is release; it is fitting to sacrifice.
上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰动悔有悔，征吉。
EN Topmost six: oppressed by creeping vines, in trembling uncertainty — saying that movement brings regret; if you move with regret, going brings good fortune.

Keywords

I Ching hexagram 47, Oppression hexagram, Kun hexagram meaning, hexagram for constraint