Oppression (Exhaustion)
Lake (兌 Duì) above, Water (坎 Kǎn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 47, 困 (Kùn), represents Oppression (Exhaustion).
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 47 (困 Kùn). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/kun1). 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)
困：亨，貞，大人吉，无咎，有言不信。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Success. Steadfastness. For a great person, good fortune and no blame. Words are not believed.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
泽无水,困。君子以致命遂志。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) a marsh, and (below it that for a defile, which has drained the other dry so that there is) no water in it, form Khwan. The superior man, in accordance with this, will sacrifice his life in order to carry out his purpose.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三歲不覿。
James Legge: The first SIX, divided, shows its subject with bare buttocks straitened under the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley, and for three years has no prospect (of deliverance).
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：困于酒食，朱紱方來，利用享祀，征凶，无咎。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject straitened amidst his wine and viands. There come to him anon the red knee-covers (of the ruler). It will be well for him (to maintain his sincerity as) in sacrificing. Active operations (on his part) will lead to evil, but he will be free from blame.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：困于石，據于蒺蔾，入于其宮，不見其妻，凶。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows its subject straitened before a (frowning) rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
九四：來徐徐，困于金車，吝，有終。
James Legge: The fourth NINE, undivided shows its subject proceeding very slowly (to help the subject of the first line), who is straitened by the carriage adorned with metal in front of him. There will be occasion for regret, but the end will be good.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：劓刖，困于赤紱，乃徐有說，利用祭祀。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject with his nose and feet cut off. He is straitened by (his ministers in their) scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements, however, and is satisfied. It will be well for him to be (as sincere) as in sacrificing (to spiritual beings).
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。
James Legge: The sixth SIX, divided, shows its subject straitened, as if bound with creepers; or in a high and dangerous position, and saying (to himself), 'If I move, I shall repent it.' If he do repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in his going forward.
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.
Oppression can prompt a careful question about drained reserves: what is exhausting this situation, and what remains true or workable when outward means fail? The lake draining below its waterline is the text's own image of exhaustion.
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.
Inner steadiness surviving outer lack is described by the figure, not promised. Nothing predicts relief.
Continue with the Hexagram 47 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.