I Ching · Hexagram 29 of 64 · Pure hexagram
29. Kǎn 坎 · The Abysmal
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Hexagram 29 doubles the Water trigram: a single solid line held between broken lines, twice over. It pictures a ravine with water rushing through it: danger upon danger. But water is also the teacher here, because it flows through any gorge without losing itself.
The image
Water flows on and reaches its goal, filling every hollow along the way. The commentary says the wise person learns from this: keep your character constant, and practise teaching and learning repeatedly, the way water keeps flowing.
What hexagram 29 means
Kǎn tells you that you are in, or near, a difficult situation that may repeat. The advice is not to panic or freeze but to stay sincere and keep moving, as water does. The traditional text says that if you are truthful, your heart will get through, and your actions will earn respect. Getting used to danger, without becoming careless, is the lesson.
Hexagram 29 in daily life
At work
Expect obstacles to recur. Deal with each one as it comes, keep your standards, and don't take shortcuts that create new risks.
In relationships
Honesty is your safest path. In a tense relationship, steady sincerity does more than clever words.
For yourself
Look after the basics: sleep, food, calm routines. They carry you through a hard stretch.
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 | Falling into a pit within the ravine. Repeating a dangerous habit makes things worse; stop. |
| Line 2 | The ravine is dangerous. Aim for small, achievable gains rather than escaping all at once. |
| Line 3 | Danger ahead and behind. Don't act yet; wait until the way becomes clear. |
| Line 4 | A jug of wine and a bowl of rice, handed through a window. Simple sincerity is enough; no blame. |
| Line 5 | The water has not overflowed, only filled to the brim. Do just enough to get through; no blame. |
| Line 6 | Bound with ropes among thorns. Stuck for a long time, the lesson is hard; seek help and change course. |
The two trigrams
This hexagram doubles the Water trigram坎 (Kǎn), the same trigram that belongs to Kua Number 1 in Eight Mansions feng shui. Its element is Water. It is one of the eight pure hexagrams.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 30. Lí 離 · The Clinging
Questions to reflect on
- What difficulty keeps coming back, and what is it teaching me?
- What is the simplest honest step I can take?
- Where am I making a risky situation worse by repeating myself?
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.