The Abysmal (Water)
Water (坎 Kǎn) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 29, 坎 (Kǎn), represents The Abysmal (Water).
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 29 (坎 Kǎn). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/kan). 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)
坎：習坎，有孚，維心亨，行有尚。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Repeated pits. There is sincerity; only in the heart is there success. Going onward has honor.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
水洊至,习坎。君子以常德行,习教事。
James Legge: (The representation of) water flowing on continuously forms the repeated Khan. The superior man, in accordance with this, maintains constantly the virtue (of his heart) and (the integrity of) his conduct, and practises the business of instruction.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六：習坎，入于坎窞，凶。
James Legge: The first SIX, divided, shows its subject in the double defile, and (yet) entering a cavern within it. There will be evil.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：坎有險，求小得。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject in all the peril of the defile. He will, however, get a little (of the deliverance) that he seeks.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows its subject, whether he comes or goes ( =descends or ascends), confronted by a defile. All is peril to him and unrest. (His endeavours) will lead him into the cavern of the pit. There should be no action (in such a case).
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
六四：樽酒簋貳，用缶，納約自牖，終无咎。
James Legge: The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject (at a feast), with (simply) a bottle of spirits, and a subsidiary basket of rice, while (the cups and bowls) are (only) of earthenware. He introduces his important lessons (as his ruler's) intelligence admits. There will in the end be no error.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the water of the defile not yet full, (so that it might flow away); but order will (soon) be brought about. There will be no error.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：係用徽纆，寘于叢棘，三歲不得，凶。
James Legge: The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject bound with cords of three strands or two strands, and placed in the thicket of thorns. But in three years he does not learn the course for him to pursue. There will be evil.
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.
The Abysmal can prompt a careful question about repeated difficulty: this is not one pit but the text's picture of danger followed by danger — and of moving through it with constancy rather than a guarantee of escape. Doubled water describes a condition that tests reliability.
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.
Nothing on this page predicts whether a real situation worsens or resolves, and it is not safety or crisis advice.
Continue with the Hexagram 29 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.