观 Guān Contemplation (Observation) [hexagram 20]
Wind/Wood over Earth
Wood element
Lunar month: 8 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
观: 盥而不荐, 有孚颙若. Guān: guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò.
Guan shows (how he whom it represents should be like) the worshiper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings - with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard).
彖传: 大观在上, 顺而巽, 中正以观天下. 观, 盥而不荐, 有孚颙若, 下观而化也. 观天之神道, 而四时不忒, 圣人以神道设教, 而天下服矣. Tuàn zhuàn: Dà guān zài shàng, shùn ér xùn, zhōng zhèng yǐ guān tiān xià. guān, guàn ér bù jiàn, yǒu fú yóng ruò, xià guān ér huà yě. guān tiān zhī shén dào, ér sì shí bù tè, shèng rén yǐ shén dào shè jiào, ér tiān xià fú yǐ.The great Originator occupies an upper place (in the figure), which consists of (the trigrams whose attributes are) docility and flexibility. He is in the central position and his correct place, and thus exhibits (his lessons) to all under heaven. ‘Guan shows its subject like a worshiper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings; - with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard):’ - (all) beneath look to him and are transformed. When we contemplate the spirit-like way of Heaven, we see how the four seasons proceed without error. The sages, in accordance with (this) spirit-like way, laid down their instructions, and all under heaven yield submission to them.
象传: 风行地上, 观; 先王以省方, 观民设教. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēng xíng dì shang, guān; xiān wáng yǐ xǐng fāng, guān mín shè jiào.(The trigram representing) the earth, and that for wind moving above it, form Guan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, examined the (different) regions (of the kingdom), to see the (ways of the) people, and set forth their instructions.
初六: 童观, 小人无咎, 君子吝. Chū liù: tóng guān, xiǎo rén wú jiù, jūn zǐ lìn.
The first ‘six’, divided, shows the looking of a lad - not blamable in men of inferior rank, but matter for regret in superior men.
象传: 初六童观, 小人道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Chū liù tóng guān, xiǎo rén dào yě.'The looking of a lad shown by the first ‘six’, (divided); indicates the way of the inferior people.
六二: 窥观, 利女贞. Liù èr: kuī guān, lì nǚ zhēn.
The second ‘six’, divided, shows one peeping out from a door. It would be advantageous if it were (merely) the firm correctness of a female.
象传: 窥观女贞, 亦可丑也. Xiàng zhuàn: Kuī guān nǚ zhēn, yì kě chǒu yě.'The firm correctness of a woman, in peeping out from a door' is also a thing to be ashamed of (in a superior man).
六三: 观我生, 进退. Liù sān: guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì.The third ‘six’, divided, shows one looking at (the course of) his own life, to advance or recede (accordingly).
象传: 观我生, 进退; 未失道也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, jìn tuì; wèi shī dào yě.'He looks at (the course of his own life, to advance or recede (accordingly):' - he will not err in the path (to be pursued).
六四: 观国之光, 利用宾于王. Liù sì: guān guó zhī guāng, lì yòng bīn yú wáng.The fourth ‘six’, divided, shows one contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It will be advantageous for him, being such as he is, (to seek) to be a guest of the king.
象传: 观国之光, 尚宾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān guó zhī guāng, shàng bīn yě.'He contemplates the glory of the kingdom:'(thence) arises the wish to be a guest (at court).
九五: 观我生, 君子无咎. Jiǔ wǔ: guān wǒ shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.
The fifth ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his own life(-course). A superior man, he will (thus) fall into no error.
象传: 观我生, 观民也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān wǒ shēng, guān mín yě.'He contemplates his own life(-course):' - he should (for this purpose) contemplate (the condition of) the people.
上九: 观其生, 君子无咎. Shàng jiǔ: guān qí shēng, jūn zǐ wú jiù.The sixth ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error.
象传: 观其生, 志未平也. Xiàng zhuàn: Guān qí shēng, zhì wèi píng yě.'He contemplates his own character:' - he cannot even yet let his mind be at rest.