jǐngAlso known as “The Well” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Žing” (Legge)
the wellthe sourcedependable nourishment
In plain words
Water drawn up through wood: the well. Towns move, the well stays; it neither increases nor decreases — but a broken rope or a muddy well helps no one.
The attitude it asks for
Tend your sources — skills, relationships, inner life — so they stay clear and usable for yourself and others.
(Looking at) Žing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.
Commentary on the Judgment
巽乎水而上水，井；井養而不窮也。改邑不改井，乃以剛中也。汔至亦未繘井，未有功也。羸其瓶，是以凶也。
(We have the symbol of) wood in the water and the raising of the water; which (gives us the idea of) a well. A well supplies nourishment and is not (itself) exhausted.
'The site of a town may be changed, while the fashion of its wells undergoes no change:'—this is indicated by the central position of the strong lines (in the second and fifth places). 'The drawing is nearly accomplished, but the rope has not yet reached the water of the well:'—its service has not yet been accomplished. 'The bucket is broken:'—it is this that occasions evil.
The Image
木上有水，井；君子以勞民勸相。
(The trigram representing) wood and above it that for water form Žing. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
井收勿幕，有孚元吉。
The topmost line, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.
Its symbolism
元吉在上，大成也。
'The great good fortune' at the topmost place indicates the grand accomplishment (of the idea in the hexagram).
The third line, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.
Its symbolism
井渫不食，行惻也。求王明，受福也。
'The well has been cleared out, but is not used:'—(even) passers-by would be sorry for this. A prayer is made 'that the king were intelligent:'—for then blessing would be received.
The second line, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.
Its symbolism
井谷射鮒，无與也。
'A well from which by a hole the water escapes, and flows away to the shrimps:'—(the subject of this second line has) none co-operating with him (above).
The first line, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.
Its symbolism
井泥不食，下也。舊井无禽，時舍也。
'A well so muddy that men will not drink of it:'—this is indicated by the low position (of the line). 'An old well to which the birds do not come:'—it has been forsaken in the course of time.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 48, Well, mean?
Water drawn up through wood: the well. Towns move, the well stays; it neither increases nor decreases — but a broken rope or a muddy well helps no one.
Which trigrams form Well?
坎 above 巽 — water over wind. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 睽 Divergence.
What happens when a line of Well 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 Well in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - — — - - — - - is Well. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.