Hexagram 63 of 64
After Completion既濟
Water over fire. The noble person thinks of trouble and guards against it in advance.
- Upper
- Water
- Lower
- Fire
- Order
- 63 / 64
亨小。利貞。初吉終亂。
Judgment: Small success. Steadiness pays. Good fortune at the start, disorder at the end.
水在火上，既濟；君子以思患而豫防之。
Image: Water over fire. The noble person thinks of trouble and guards against it in advance.
In plain words
The situation: The thing is done.
What you can do: Now guarding it matters most. Do not relax into disorder.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 上六濡其首，厲。Wetting the head. Danger.In shortCarried away after success, you get in over your head; it is risky, stay alert.
- 九五東鄰殺牛，不如西鄰之禴祭，實受其福。The eastern neighbor kills an ox, but does not match the simple offering of the western neighbor, which truly receives the blessing.In shortSincere, simple effort counts more than lavish display, and brings real blessing.
- 六四繻有衣袽，終日戒。Fine clothes turning to rags. Stay alert all day.In shortThings look whole but have leaks; stay alert all day.
- 九三高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。The High Ancestor attacks the Demon Land and takes three years to win. Do not use small people.In shortBig goals take long effort; don't rely on unreliable people.
- 六二婦喪其茀，勿逐，七日得。The wife loses her carriage screen. Do not chase it. In seven days it is recovered.In shortSomething is lost; don't chase it, it comes back in time.
- 初九曳其輪，濡其尾，无咎。Dragging the wheels, wetting the tail. No fault.In shortRight after success, slow down and hold back; no fault.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.