guānAlso known as “Contemplation” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Kwân” (Legge)
contemplationobservationexample
In plain words
Wind over the earth: a tower from which all is seen, and which all can see. Observe deeply before acting, and remember that you are watched — sincerity even before the offering is made.
The attitude it asks for
Look carefully at the whole picture and at yourself; set an example rather than issuing orders.
Structure
Upper trigram☴巽Xun (the Gentle)風 · wind · Wood
Lower trigram☷坤Kun (the Receptive)地 · earth · Earth
Kwân shows (how he whom it represents should be like) the worshipper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings;—with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard).
The great Manifester 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.
'Kwân shows its subject like a worshipper 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.
The Image
風行地上，觀；先王以省方，觀民設教。
(The trigram representing) the earth, and that for wind moving above it, form Kwan. 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.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
觀其生，君子无咎。
The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error.
Its symbolism
觀其生，志未平也。
'He contemplates his own character:'—he cannot even yet let his mind be at rest.
The fourth line, 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.
Its symbolism
觀國之光，尚賓也。
'He contemplates the glory of the kingdom:'—(thence) arises the wish to be a guest (at court).
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 20, Observation, mean?
Wind over the earth: a tower from which all is seen, and which all can see. Observe deeply before acting, and remember that you are watched — sincerity even before the offering is made.
Which trigrams form Observation?
巽 above 坤 — wind over earth. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 剝 Peeling Away.
What happens when a line of Observation changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Observation in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - - - - - - - — — is Observation. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.