Classical Text 古典文獻 · I Ching 易經
Hexagram 48 — Water over Wind (水風井) - The Well
井
Lower Canon 下經
Hexagram Symbol & Trigrams
卦象與八卦
Judgment
卦辭
井：改邑不改井，無喪無得，往來井井。汔至亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶。
The Well. The town may be changed, but the well cannot be changed. It neither decreases nor increases. They come and go and draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water and the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.
Image
象傳
象曰：木上有水，井；君子以勞民勸相。
Water over wood: the image of the Well. Thus the superior man encourages the people at their work, and exhorts them to help one another.
Interpretation
詮釋
井卦象徵水井與供養。木上有水，井養而不窮。應德澤萬民，互助共濟。
The Well represents source and nourishment. Water above wood, well nourishes endlessly. Should benefit all people, mutual assistance and cooperation.
Six Lines
爻辭
Six at the beginning
初六
井泥不食，舊井無禽。
One does not drink the mud of the well. No animals come to an old well.
井中泥濘不可飲，舊井無鳥獸。荒廢失修，無人問津。
Muddy well water undrinkable, old well no birds or animals. Abandoned and unrepaired, no one cares.
Nine in the second place
九二
井谷射鮒，甕敝漏。
At the wellhole one shoots fishes. The jug is broken and leaks.
井底射魚，瓮破漏水。井水不清，器具破損，雖有資源但無法利用。
Shooting fish at well bottom, broken leaking jug. Well water unclear, tools damaged, though resources exist cannot utilize.
Nine in the third place
九三
井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福。
The well is cleaned, but no one drinks from it. This is my heart's sorrow, for one might draw from it. If the king were clear-minded, good fortune might be enjoyed in common.
井已清理卻無人飲用，令我心痛，其實可以汲水，若君王明察，眾人可共享其福。懷才不遇，需明主賞識。
Well cleaned but no one drinks, causes my heartache, actually can draw water, if king wise, all can share fortune. Talent unrecognized, needs enlightened ruler's appreciation.
Six in the fourth place
六四
井甃，無咎。
The well is being lined. No blame.
修井砌磚，無咎。正在整修完善，雖暫不能用但終將有成。
Lining well with bricks, no blame. Being repaired and perfected, though temporarily unusable but will eventually succeed.
Nine in the fifth place
九五
井冽，寒泉食。
In the well there is a clear, cold spring from which one can drink.
井水清冽，寒泉可飲。居尊位而清廉，惠澤眾生。
Well water clear and cold, cold spring drinkable. In high position yet clean, benefiting all beings.
Six at the top
上六
井收勿幕，有孚元吉。
One draws from the well without hindrance. It is dependable. Supreme good fortune.
井水汲取勿遮蓋，有誠信大吉。井德完備，公開供眾，功德圓滿。
Drawing from well without covering, with sincerity great fortune. Well virtue complete, openly serving all, merit perfected.
Source: I Ching (易經), Hexagram 48