Hexagram 20 of 64

Guān — The Watcher's Tower

风地观 · Legge: Kwan · Wind above, Earth below

Looking out from the tower, what is really being watched is yourself; washed hands are not yet an offering.

waitingsincerityauthority

The Judgment

Guān. The worshipper who has washed his hands, but not presented his offerings; with sincerity and an appearance of dignity.

Legge’s 1882 translation

Kwan shows (how he whom it represents should be like) the worshipper who has washed his hands, but not (yet) presented his offerings; -- with sincerity and an appearance of dignity (commanding reverent regard).

The Image

XX. (The trigram representing) the earth, and that for wind moving above it, form Kwan. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, examined the (different) regions (of the kingdom), to see the (ways of the) people, and set forth their instructions.

风行地上,观;先王以省方观民设教。

The Six Lines

The first six · 初六

The first line, divided, shows the looking of a lad; not blamable in men of inferior rank, but matter for regret in superior men.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first six, divided, shows the looking of a lad; -- not blamable in men of inferior rank, but matter for regret in superior men.

The second six · 六二

The second line, divided, shows one peeping out from a door. It would be advantageous if it were the firm correctness of a female.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second six, divided, shows one peeping out from a door. It would be advantageous if it were (merely) the firm correctness of a female.

The third six · 六三

The third line, divided, shows one looking at the course of his own life, to advance or recede accordingly.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The third six, divided, shows one looking at (the course of) his own life, to advance or recede (accordingly).

The fourth six · 六四

The fourth line, divided, shows one contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It will be advantageous for him, being such as he is, to be a guest of the king.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth six, divided, shows one contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It will be advantageous for him, being such as he is, (to seek) to be a guest of the king.

The fifth nine · 九五

The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his own life-course. A superior man, he will fall into no error.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth nine, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his own life(-course). A superior man, he will (thus) fall into no error.

The topmost nine · 上九

The sixth line, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The sixth nine, undivided, shows its subject contemplating his character to see if it be indeed that of a superior man. He will not fall into error.

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