䷾ Already Fording jì jì
Core Meaning
The core of the Jì Jì hexagram lies in the wisdom of 'maintaining what has been achieved.' It describes a perfect state where things have reached their peak and order is well-established. However, this is not the end, but the beginning of a challenge. The hexagram profoundly reveals the cosmic law that 'when things reach an extreme, they turn into their opposite.' When everything seems perfect, it is precisely when crises are most likely to brew. Therefore, the focus of the Jì Jì hexagram is not on celebrating success, but on 'anticipating misfortune and preparing for it.' It requires people to maintain a high degree of vigilance and humility at the peak, not to become arrogant and complacent due to success, but to work diligently and carefully maintain the existing balance. Otherwise, perfect order will quickly disintegrate, shifting from 'Already Fording' to 'Not Yet Fording,' and everything will return to chaos.
The Judgment
Success in small matters, perseverance is beneficial. Good at the beginning, but chaotic in the end.
Interpretation:
Things have been accomplished, achieving success, but only in minor affairs. It is beneficial to adhere to the correct path. It is auspicious at the beginning, but if one cannot maintain vigilance, it will eventually fall into disarray.
The Image
Water over Fire: Already Fording. The superior person anticipates misfortune and prepares for it.
Structure
The Jì Jì hexagram is composed of the upper trigram Kǎn (Water) and the lower trigram Lí (Fire), forming the image of water over fire. Water and fire interact, balancing and benefiting each other, much like water in a pot being heated by fire, allowing food to be cooked, symbolizing 'things have been completed.' Another notable feature of this hexagram is that all six lines are 'in their correct positions' (yang lines in yang places, yin lines in yin places), achieving a perfect, balanced, and ideal state. However, this ultimate perfection also harbors hidden dangers. When things reach their peak, the next step inevitably leads to the opposite. Therefore, the judgment warns, 'Good at the beginning, but chaotic in the end,' reminding people that after success, they must be even more prepared for danger, maintain vigilance, and otherwise, prosperity will decline, and order will turn into chaos.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial Nine: He drags his wheel, wets his tail. No blame.
Six in the Second Place: The wife loses her carriage curtain. Do not pursue; it will return in seven days.
Nine in the Third Place: Gaozong attacked the Demon Land; it took three years to overcome it. Small men should not be employed.
Six in the Fourth Place: There are rags in the clothes. Be on guard all day long.
Nine in the Fifth Place: The neighbor in the east slaughters an ox; it is not as good as the simple sacrifice of the neighbor in the west, who truly receives the blessing.
Top Six: He wets his head. Danger.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
In terms of career, the Jì Jì hexagram represents a project that has been successfully completed, or a company reaching a peak in its development. At this time, everything appears orderly and achievements are outstanding. However, this is precisely the moment when high vigilance is needed. One cannot stop or become careless because of current success. Leaders need to consider future risks and formulate preventive measures in advance. The team may become proud and slack due to success, and discipline must be strengthened to prevent internal problems. At this time, it is not advisable to undertake large-scale expansion, but rather to focus on internal optimization and consolidation of existing achievements. Protecting what has been achieved is more important and difficult than pioneering new ventures.
❤️ Relationships
In terms of relationships, the Jì Jì hexagram may indicate that a relationship has entered a very stable, harmonious, and seemingly perfect stage. Both parties are in their respective places, getting along well. But this often also means that passion has faded, and the relationship tends to be flat, or even somewhat rigid. This 'perfect' state can easily be broken by small things, leading to 'good at the beginning, but chaotic in the end.' Therefore, both parties need to consciously inject new vitality into the relationship and be prepared for danger. They must be wary of neglecting each other's care and emotional communication due to excessive comfort. Trying new shared activities can prevent the relationship from declining due to stagnation.
🎯 Decision Making
When making decisions, the Jì Jì hexagram reminds you that the current situation seems excellent, and all conditions are in place, but this is precisely when caution is needed. It is not suitable at this time to make aggressive, pioneering major decisions. Any decision should be centered on 'maintaining what has been achieved,' with the primary goal of safeguarding the current stable situation. When evaluating options, prioritize potential risks rather than how much new benefit they can bring. The decision-making style should be extremely conservative, proceeding step by step. As the initial Nine line says, 'He drags his wheel, wets his tail'; it is better to slow down than to let the successful vehicle get out of control.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The most crucial warning of the Jì Jì hexagram is 'prosperity declines when it reaches its extreme.' Success itself harbors the seeds of failure. The greatest danger comes from complacency, pride, and slackness after success. Once one believes that a great accomplishment has been made and can rest easy, then chaos (final chaos) will soon arrive. The top Six line, 'He wets his head. Danger,' is the most vivid warning: having successfully crossed the river, but getting one's head wet at the last moment, symbolizes near-success turning into failure. Therefore, one must always maintain a humble and cautious attitude, recognizing that there is no eternal success, only continuous effort. In perfect order, any small mistake can lead to the collapse of the entire system.
Applicable Scenarios
The Already Fording hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
The 'Flourishing Age of Kaiyuan' in the Tang Dynasty is a typical example of the Jì Jì hexagram. In the early reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (Li Longji), he strived for good governance, appointed virtuous chancellors, reformed administration, and developed the economy, bringing the Tang Dynasty to its peak of power, with peace and prosperity, and cultural flourishing. This was a perfect 'Jì Jì' state. However, after success, Emperor Xuanzong gradually became complacent, indulged in pleasure, neglected state affairs, and heavily relied on treacherous officials like Li Linfu and Yang Guozhong, leading to political corruption. Ultimately, the An Lushan Rebellion broke out, and the flourishing age vanished, plunging the country into long-term chaos and decline. This process fully confirmed the Jì Jì hexagram's prediction of 'good at the beginning, but chaotic in the end.' It profoundly illustrates that even when the most prosperous success is achieved, if one fails to 'anticipate misfortune and prepare for it' and maintain vigilance, then chaos and decline await not far away.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Already Fording hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: