Anonymous (traditionally attributed to King Wen, the Duke of Zhou and Confucius) · Complete work
Hexagram 20 · Guān ䷓
Hexagram 20 · Guān ䷓ of 69. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
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觀：盥而不薦，有孚顒若。
初六：童觀，小人无咎，君子吝。
六二：窺觀，利女貞。
六三：觀我生，進退。
六四：觀國之光，利用賓于王。
九五：觀我生，君子无咎。
上九：觀其生，君子无咎。
彖曰：大觀在上，順而巽，中正以觀天下。觀，盥而不薦，有孚顒若，下觀而化也。觀天之神道，而四時不忒，聖人以神道設教，而天下服矣。
象曰：風行地上，觀；先王以省方，觀民設教。
初六童觀，小人道也。
窺觀女貞，亦可醜也。
觀我生，進退；未失道也。
觀國之光，尚賓也。
觀我生，觀民也。
觀其生，志未平也。
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the classical Chinese, passage for passage, covering all 64 hexagrams with their judgments, line statements and attached commentaries, and the remaining Wings (the Great Commentary, the Discussion of the Trigrams, the Sequence and the Contrasts of the Hexagrams), 1,204 passages in all.
Guan (Contemplation): Hands washed, but the offering not yet presented. Sincerity fills them with reverence.
Six at the beginning: A child's contemplation. No blame for the petty person, humiliation for the noble person.
Six in the second place: Peering out in contemplation. Favorable for a woman to be steadfast.
Six in the third place: Contemplating my life, I advance or retreat.
Six in the fourth place: Contemplating the realm's splendor. It is favorable to serve as a guest of the king.
Nine in the fifth place: Contemplating my life, the noble person has no blame.
Nine at the top: Contemplating his life, the noble person has no blame.
The Judgment Commentary says: Great contemplation occupies the upper place; obedient and gentle, central and upright, it contemplates all under heaven. “Hands washed, but the offering not yet presented; sincerity fills them with reverence”: those below contemplate and are transformed. Contemplate heaven's mysterious way, and the four seasons do not err; sages establish teaching by that mysterious way, and all under heaven submit.
The Image Commentary says: Wind passes over the earth: Guan. Thus the former kings inspected the regions, observed the people, and established teachings.
A child's contemplation in the beginning six: this is the petty person's way.
Peering out in contemplation; a woman's steadfastness: this too may be shameful.
Contemplating my life, advancing or retreating: the way has not been lost.
Contemplating the realm's splendor: esteem is given to the guest.
Contemplating my life means contemplating the people.
Contemplating his life: his purpose is not yet at peace.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the classical Chinese, covering all 64 hexagrams with their judgments, line statements and attached commentaries, and the remaining Wings (the Great Commentary, the Discussion of the Trigrams, the Sequence and the Contrasts of the Hexagrams), 1,204 passages in all.
Guan (Watching): Wash your hands, but do not yet present the offering. There is sincerity and a solemn appearance.
Six at the beginning: Watching like a child. No blame for a petty person; humiliation for a noble person.
Six in the second place: Watching through a narrow opening. It is favorable for a woman to stay steady.
Six in the third place: Look at the course of my own life, and decide whether to advance or retreat.
Six in the fourth place: Watch the splendor of the state. It is favorable to become the king's guest.
Nine in the fifth place: Look at the course of my own life. For a noble person, no blame.
Nine at the top: Look at the course of his life. For a noble person, no blame.
The Judgment Commentary says: A great sight stands above. It is obedient and gentle, and watches the world from a central and proper position. Guan says, “Wash your hands, but do not yet present the offering. There is sincerity and a solemn appearance.” Those below watch it and change. Watch the mysterious way of heaven: the four seasons never go astray. A wise person uses this mysterious way to establish teaching, and the world follows.
The Image Commentary says: Wind moves over the earth: this is Guan. Former kings therefore visited the regions, observed the people, and established teachings.
Watching like a child at the beginning is the way of the petty person.
Watching through a narrow opening and a woman's staying steady can also be a cause of shame.
Looking at the course of my life to decide whether to advance or retreat means I have not lost the right path.
Watching the state's splendor means seeking an honored guest's place.
Looking at the course of my life means observing the people.
Looking at the course of his life means his intention has not yet settled.