Treading (Conduct)
Heaven (乾 Qián) above, Lake (兌 Duì) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 10, 履 (Lǚ), represents Treading (Conduct).
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 10 (履 Lǚ). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/lu). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
履虎尾，不咥人，亨。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Stepping on the tiger's tail, it does not bite. Success.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
上天下泽,履。君子以辨上下,定民志。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) the sky above, and below it (that representing the waters of) a marsh, form Li. The superior man, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of the people.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初九：素履，往无咎。
James Legge: The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;—a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：眇能視，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人為于大君。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
九四：履虎尾，愬愬，終吉。
James Legge: The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：夬履，貞厲。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上九：視履考祥，其旋元吉。
James Legge: The sixth NINE, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Treading can prompt a careful question about footing: what does it mean to conduct oneself among stronger forces without provoking them, and how does one tell courteous distance from fearful retreat? Treading on the tiger's tail, in the figure's own words, is the image of risk carried with propriety — read here as the text's own framing of careful conduct.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
This reflection does not promise that composure prevents harm; it predicts no outcome at all. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 10 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.