I Ching · Hexagram 18 of 64
18. Gǔ 蠱 · Repairing
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Fix what has been neglected; old problems need care.
- Upper trigram
- Mountain 艮
- Lower trigram
- Wind 巽
What hexagram 18 means
Gǔ is the image of a bowl in which worms have bred: things have spoiled through neglect. It is about repairing what previous generations, systems or habits have left broken. The traditional advice is to plan carefully before and after the work, then act decisively.
Hexagram 18 in daily life
At work
Old problems in the system need fixing. Diagnose carefully, then act.
In relationships
Unspoken issues or inherited patterns need attention. Address them kindly.
For yourself
What family or old habits are you carrying that no longer serve you?
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Setting right what the father spoiled. There is danger, but in the end good fortune. |
| Line 2 | Setting right what the mother spoiled. Be gentle and not too rigid. |
| Line 3 | Setting right what the father spoiled. A little regret, no great harm. |
| Line 4 | Tolerating the old mess only makes it worse. Humiliation. |
| Line 5 | Setting right what was spoiled wins praise. |
| Line 6 | Not serving kings but setting higher goals. Sometimes the repair is to step back and live well. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Wind 巽 (Xùn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Mountain 艮 (Gèn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Earth over Wood. Wind is the trigram of Kua 4 and Mountain is the trigram of Kua 8.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 17. Suí 隨 · Following
- Inverted (read upside down): 17. Suí 隨 · Following
- Trigrams swapped: 53. Jiàn 漸 · Development
Questions to reflect on
- What has been neglected that I can start to repair?
- What pattern did I inherit that needs changing?
- What planning do I need before I act?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.