What is Hexagram 47, Oppression?
Hexagram 47, Oppression (困 Kùn), is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Water (坎 Kǎn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as exhaustion, adversity, inner strength. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 47 is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Water (坎 Kǎn).
- Its central themes, exhaustion, adversity, inner strength, will, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Black Obsidian as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great person brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed.
The Image
There is no water in the lake: the image of Exhaustion. Thus the superior person stakes their life on following their will.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
The lake has no water, exhaustion, depletion, a time when words go unheard. Oppression is difficult but not hopeless. The I-Ching says: in times of exhaustion, when no one believes you and resources are depleted, your only refuge is your own will and inner truth. This is the fire that cannot be extinguished from outside. What sustains you when everything else is stripped away?
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“One sits oppressed under a bare tree and strays into a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing.”
Line 2
“One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The person with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame.”
Line 3
“One is oppressed by stone, and leans on thorns and thistles. One enters the house and does not see the wife. Misfortune.”
Line 4
“One comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached.”
Line 5
“One's nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the person with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.”
Line 6 (top)
“One is oppressed by creeping vines. One moves uncertainly and says, 'Movement brings remorse.' If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 47
Black Obsidian
Hold Black Obsidian while meditating on Oppression. Its energy resonates with the themes of exhaustion, adversity, inner strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 47 (Oppression) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 47, Oppression (困 Kùn), is read through Lake (兌 Duì) over Water (坎 Kǎn). The classical sources describe its themes as exhaustion, adversity, inner strength. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for Oppression?
The Judgment reads: "Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great person brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for Oppression?
The Image reads: "There is no water in the lake: the image of Exhaustion. Thus the superior person stakes their life on following their will.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 47?
Black Obsidian is the traditional pairing for Oppression. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 47 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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