47. Oppression

Judgment

困：亨，贞，大人吉，无咎。有言不信。

Success. Perseverance. The great person brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed. In hardship, action speaks louder than words.

Image

泽无水，困；君子以致命遂志。

There is no water in the lake: the image of exhaustion. The noble person stakes their life on following their will. Hardship tests real conviction.

Lines

1. Line 1, yin (six)

   初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三岁不觌。

   One sits oppressed under a bare tree and strays into a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing. Passive withdrawal prolongs hardship.

2. Line 2, yang (nine)

   九二：困于酒食，朱绂方来，利用享祀，征凶，无咎。

   One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame. Materially comfortable yet unfulfilled—wait for the opening.

3. Line 3, yin (six)

   六三：困于石，据于蒺藜，入于其宫，不见其妻，凶。

   A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone, and leans on thorns and thistles. He enters his house and does not see his wife. Misfortune. Blocked inside and out.

4. Line 4, yang (nine)

   九四：来徐徐，困于金车，吝，有终。

   He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached. Resources controlled by others—untangle slowly.

5. Line 5, yang (nine)

   九五：劓刖，困于赤绂，乃徐有说，利用祭祀。

   His nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations. Squeezed from both sides—resolve with sincerity and patience.

6. Line 6, yin (six)

   上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰动悔。有悔，征吉。

   He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, 'Movement brings remorse.' If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes. The way out is the courage to act.

In the enterprise

The hexagram of hardship, depleted resources and leadership in adversity: cash-flow distress, stalled growth, talent crunches, career plateaus. 'Words are not believed': in hardship, credibility is rebuilt by action; 'stake life on one's will': a strong sense of mission carries one through.

Psychological lens

Resonates with adversity research and logotherapy (Frankl: meaning makes suffering bearable); 'movement brings remorse' is anticipated regret causing inaction inertia.

Related hexagrams

Situations in the library that use this hexagram

• Stalled growth, no breakthrough in sight Enterprise, Line 6, yin (six)
• Is pay really the problem? Enterprise, Line 2, yang (nine)
• A failed fundraising round Enterprise, Judgment
• Tight cash flow Enterprise, Line 4, yang (nine)
• Feeling low after a setback Individuals, Line 1, yin (six)
• Life feels meaningless Individuals, Judgment
• Well paid but unhappy Individuals, Line 2, yang (nine)
• Hitting a ceiling after years Individuals, Line 6, yin (six)
• Creative block Individuals, Judgment

Situation readings are a reflective framework for discussion—not predictions and not a substitute for professional advice.