Water above Wind
I Ching Hexagram 48 – Jing (井), The Well
What Is Hexagram 48?
Hexagram 48 is Jing, The Well: Water above Wind. A well remains in the village while people come and go, symbolizing a stable source that requires care.
The well is useful only when its water is reachable and clean. Institutions and relationships fail when maintenance is neglected.
- Upper trigram
- Kan — Water
- Lower trigram
- Xun — Wind
- Key themes
- the well, community, maintenance, access
The Meaning of Hexagram 48
Jing asks you to improve the source rather than chase endless new containers. Shared resources require stewardship and fair access.
The lines move from a muddy well to clear water and a reliable rope. Renewal is practical work.
The Image of Hexagram 48
Water rests below the earth while a vessel descends through a narrow shaft. The image joins depth, repetition, and community use.
Inspect the infrastructure that supplies your life. Repair it so others can draw without damage.
The Six Lines of Hexagram 48
Lines are numbered from the bottom of the hexagram upward. In a cast, give particular attention to any positions that appeared as changing lines.
Line 1
Mud in the well is not drinkable. Neglect has made the source unavailable; begin cleaning.
Line 2
Fish and a cracked jar show a source that cannot yet serve people. Repair the container as well as the water.
Line 3
The well is cleaned but unused. A resource may be ready while the community remains inattentive.
Line 4
The well is lined with stone. Structure makes access safer and more durable.
Line 5
Clear, cold water is available. Share the source through competent stewardship.
Line 6
The well is open and trustworthy; good fortune follows. Do not cover what others genuinely need.
What Hexagram 48 Can Mean in Different Situations
Relationships
Maintain the practices that make support accessible. A good bond is a source people can approach without fear or confusion.
Work and Career
Invest in documentation, infrastructure, and knowledge transfer. Shared capacity outlasts a single heroic contributor.
Decisions
Ask which underlying source will sustain the choice. Repair access before expanding demand.
Personal Direction
Return to the practices that reliably nourish you. Keep them clean, simple, and available in ordinary weeks.