Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 艮 (Gèn) |
| English Name | Keeping Still / Mountain / Meditation |
| Trigrams | Mountain over Mountain (艮上艮下) |
| Number | 52 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Keeping Still. Keeping his back so still that he no longer feels his body. He goes into his courtyard and does not see his people. No blame.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Mountains standing close together: the image of Keeping Still. Thus the superior man does not permit his thoughts to go beyond his situation.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | Keeping his toes still. No blame. Continued perseverance furthers. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六二 | 2nd | Keeping his calves still. He cannot rescue him whom he follows. His heart is not glad. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九三 | 3rd | Keeping his hips still. Making his sacrum stiff. Dangerous. The heart suffocates. | Awareness of risk is itself protective |
| 六四 | 4th | Keeping his trunk still. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六五 | 5th | Keeping his jaws still. The words have order. Remorse disappears. | Previous regrets dissolve; the path clears |
| 上九 | Top | Noble-hearted keeping still. Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Mountains standing together; knowing when to stop and finding peace in stillness
- Upper trigram Mountain (still and grounding) over lower trigram Mountain (still and grounding)
- Embodies the qualities of stillness, meditation, boundaries and clarity, rest, mindfulness
Keywords
StillnessMeditationBoundariesClarityRestMindfulness
Divination & Prediction
★★★★☆Auspicious
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Favorable conditions ahead. Mountains standing together; knowing when to stop and finding peace in stillness Channel the energy of stillness and meditation for maximum benefit. |
| Timing | Conditions favor action now. Move forward with confidence. |
| Challenge | Maintain focus on boundaries to avoid complacency in favorable times. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels stillness and meditation. The Mountain trigram above suggests still and grounding energy in your outer dealings, while the Mountain trigram below points to still and grounding foundations. Conditions favor bold moves and expansion.
Health & Wellness
Focus on hands and back and hands and back. Your vitality is strong — channel it through regular exercise and disciplined routines.
Relationships
In relationships, embody stillness and meditation. Openness and confidence strengthen bonds. Take initiative in resolving issues.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes boundaries and clarity. Excellent conditions for mastery. Pursue ambitious studies.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate stillness in all your actions
- Practice meditation consistently
- Embrace boundaries as your guiding principle
- Develop clarity through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of rest
- Abandon mindfulness under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 51. Zhèn (震) | The Arousing — complementary movement |
| 15. Qiān (谦) | Modesty — mountain within earth |
| 33. Dùn (遁) | Retreat — creating healthy boundaries |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “I feel pulled in too many directions. How do I find focus?”
You received Hexagram 52, Keeping Still. The judgment says: 'Keeping Still. Keeping his back so still that he no longer feels his body. He go...' Mountains standing together; knowing when to stop and finding peace in stillness This is a favorable sign. The energy of stillness supports your intention. Move forward with boundaries, but remain mindful of proper timing.