小過

Small Exceeding

HEXAGRAM 62 · XIǍO GUÒ

ABOVE☳震Thunder

BELOW☶艮the Mountain

THE JUDGEMENT

Small Exceeding. Success. Perseverance furthers. Small things may be done; great things should not be done. The flying bird brings the message: it is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune.

THE IMAGE

On the mountain is thunder: the image of Small Exceeding. Thus the noble one, in his conduct, gives preponderance to reverence; in mourning, to grief; in his expenditures, to thrift.

THE LINES

Six at the beginningThe bird in flight meets misfortune.

Six in the second placeShe passes by the ancestor and meets the ancestress. He does not reach the prince and meets the official: no blame.

Nine in the third placeIf one is not exceedingly careful, someone may come from behind and strike: misfortune.

Nine in the fourth placeNo blame. Without passing by, he meets. Going brings danger: one must be on guard. Do not act: enduring perseverance.

Six in the fifth placeDense clouds, no rain from our western border. The prince shoots the arrow and takes the one who dwells in the cave.

Six at the topWithout meeting, he passes by. The bird in flight leaves him: misfortune. This means calamity and harm.

KEYWORDS

small mattersattention to detailhumilitycautionmodesty