I Ching · Hexagram 20 of 64
20. Guān 觀 · Contemplation
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Step back and observe before acting.
- Upper trigram
- Wind 巽
- Lower trigram
- Earth 坤
What hexagram 20 means
Guān is wind moving over the earth, reaching everything. It is contemplation: taking a view from high ground, and being watched by others in turn. Before acting, step back and look. Leaders lead best by example that others can observe.
Hexagram 20 in daily life
At work
Survey the whole situation before making decisions. People are watching how you act.
In relationships
Observe what is really going on, not what you expect. Be someone worth watching.
For yourself
Take stock of your life. Reflection now makes the next move clearer.
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 | Looking at things like a child. Fine for a beginner, not for someone responsible. |
| Line 2 | Peeping through a crack in the door. Your view is too narrow; widen it. |
| Line 3 | Looking at your own life to decide whether to advance or retreat. |
| Line 4 | Seeing the light of the land. You are well placed to serve. |
| Line 5 | Looking at your own life. If it is sound, no blame. |
| Line 6 | Looking at your life from a detached view. No blame. |
The two trigrams
The lower trigram, Earth 坤 (Kūn), stands for your inner state and the root of the situation. The upper trigram, Wind 巽 (Xùn), stands for the outer circumstances. In element terms this is Wood over Earth. Earth is the trigram of Kua 2 and Wind is the trigram of Kua 4.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 34. Dà Zhuàng 大壯 · Great Power
- Inverted (read upside down): 19. Lín 臨 · Approach
- Trigrams swapped: 46. Shēng 升 · Pushing Upward
Questions to reflect on
- What would I see if I stepped back?
- Is my view too narrow?
- What example am I setting?
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.