Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 履 (Lǚ) |
| English Name | Treading / Conduct |
| Trigrams | Heaven over Lake (乾上兑下) |
| Number | 10 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Heaven above, the lake below: the image of Treading. Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low, and thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | Simple conduct. Progress without blame. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九二 | 2nd | Treading a smooth, level course. The perseverance of a dark man brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六三 | 3rd | A one-eyed man is able to see, a lame man is able to tread. He treads on the tail of the tiger. The tiger bites the man. Misfortune. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 九四 | 4th | He treads on the tail of the tiger. Caution and circumspection lead ultimately to good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九五 | 5th | Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 上九 | Top | Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Walking carefully in dangerous situations; proper conduct ensures safety
- Upper trigram Heaven (creative and strong) over lower trigram Lake (joyous and open)
- Embodies the qualities of conduct, propriety, caution and courage, protocol, awareness
Keywords
ConductProprietyCautionCourageProtocolAwareness
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Favorable with Careful Conduct
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Walking carefully in dangerous situations; proper conduct ensures safety Success is possible through caution and courage. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance conduct with propriety to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels conduct and propriety. The Heaven trigram above suggests creative and strong energy in your outer dealings, while the Lake trigram below points to joyous and open foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on lungs and head and mouth and respiratory. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody conduct and propriety. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes caution and courage. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate conduct in all your actions
- Practice propriety consistently
- Embrace caution as your guiding principle
- Develop courage through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of protocol
- Abandon awareness under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 1. Qián (乾) | The Creative — heaven being walked upon |
| 6. Sòng (讼) | Conflict — when proper conduct breaks down |
| 58. Duì (兑) | The Joyous — inner joy makes treading lighter |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “I need to approach my CEO with a bold proposal. How should I do it?”
You received Hexagram 10, Treading. The judgment says: 'Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success....' Walking carefully in dangerous situations; proper conduct ensures safety This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to propriety and caution. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.