Hexagram 29. Repeated Hazard (坎 Kǎn)

Trigrams

Above

☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth

Below

☵ Kǎn (Water) — 水 · Depth

Symbolic Meaning

坎 (Kǎn) describes repeated descent into depth. It represents recurring exposure to danger, requiring continuity of movement and internal stability.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
習坎，有孚，維心亨，行有尚。
(Xí kǎn, yǒu fú, wéi xīn hēng, xíng yǒu shàng.)

"Repeated hazard. There is underlying alignment. In the heart, there is smooth progress. Movement has value."

The situation involves recurring entry into difficulty. Stability must come from within, not from external conditions.

Continuity of movement is required. Stopping within danger leads to entrapment.

Image

Original Chinese:
水流至坎，習坎。君子以常德行，習教事。
(Shuǐ liú zhì kǎn, xí kǎn. Jūn zǐ yǐ cháng dé xíng, xí jiào shì.)

"Water flows on into the depths: repeated hazard. The superior person keeps conduct constant and practices the work of instruction."

Water does not resist the terrain—it continues through it. This reflects persistence through danger rather than avoidance.

Consistency of behavior provides stability when conditions are unstable.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
習坎，入于坎窞，凶。
(Xí kǎn, rù yú kǎn dàn, xiōng.)

"Repeated depth. Entering into a pit within the depth. Unfavorable outcome."

Instead of passing through danger, one descends further into it.

This represents loss of direction within a hazardous condition.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
坎有險，求小得。
(Kǎn yǒu xiǎn, qiú xiǎo dé.)

"Within the depth risk present. Seek small gains."

Large movement is not possible. Progress must be incremental.

Stability is maintained through limited, controlled advancement.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
(Lái zhī kǎn kǎn, xiǎn qiě zhěn, rù yú kǎn dàn, wù yòng.)

"Approaching depth upon depth. Danger accumulates. Entering a pit within it—do not engage."

Conditions compound rather than resolve. Movement leads deeper into instability.

At this point, action increases risk instead of resolving it.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
樽酒簋貳，用缶，納約自牖，終无咎。
(Zūn jiǔ guǐ èr, yòng fǒu, nà yuē zì yǒu, zhōng wú jiù.)

"A vessel of wine and simple food, received through a window. In the end, no error."

Support arrives in a limited and indirect way. It is not grand, but it is sufficient.

Acceptance of modest assistance allows continuation without error.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
(Kǎn bù yíng, zhī jì píng, wú jiù.)

"The depth is not filled; it has reached level. No error."

The danger has stabilized and is no longer increasing.

This creates a condition where movement can resume without escalation.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。
(Xì yòng huī mò, zhì yú cóng jí, sān suì bù dé, xiōng.)

"Bound with cords and placed among thorns. For three cycles, there is no release. Unfavorable outcome."

Entrapment occurs due to prolonged exposure to danger without resolution.

Failure to move through earlier stages results in sustained confinement.