坎
kan3Mathews: 3245GSR: 624d
Dictionary Definition
(a, the) pit, pitfall, hole, cavity, snare, trap, canyon, chasm, defile, gorge, depth, precipice, grave, risk, exposure, danger, dangerous position, dangerous place, crisis, exigency, critical situation; gravity; water necessity (s); (to) trap, entrap, bury in a pit; (a, the) pit’s, canyon’s, chasm’s, risk’s; (a pun)
Radical: 32+4 | First occurrence: Hexagram 29.0
Concordance & Context (15 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 29.0
Gua Ci★
risk, crisis, exposure (s); pit, canyon, chasm
習坎，有孚，維心亨，行有尚。
Be true
To keep the heart secure is fulfillment
Advance will have value
Stats: 32+4→ 29.1
1st Line
exposed; (the) exposure, crisis
習坎，入于坎窞，凶。
Twice the exposure
Going into the canyon’s inner recesses
Foreboding
→ 29.1
(a, the) pit’s, canyon’s, chasm’s
習坎，入于坎窞，凶。
Twice the exposure
Going into the canyon’s inner recesses
Foreboding
Xiao Xiang 1
(the) exposure
習坎入坎，失道凶。
29.1x Twice the exposure going into the canyon:
To lose the way (is) foreboding
(the) canyon
習坎入坎，失道凶。
29.1x Twice the exposure going into the canyon:
To lose the way (is) foreboding
2nd Line
(a, the) pit, canyon, chasm; risk, exposure
坎有險，求小得。
The canyon holds risks
Seek modest gains
→ 29.3
3rd Line
pit, canyon, chasm; risk, crisis, exposure
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
Coming and going, canyon after canyon
The narrow ledges are also headrests
Going into the canyon’s inner recesses
Is not at all useful
→ 29.3
(after) pit, canyon; risk, crisis. exposure
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
Coming and going, canyon after canyon
The narrow ledges are also headrests
Going into the canyon’s inner recesses
Is not at all useful
(the) canyon’s, pit’s, chasm’s
來之坎坎，險且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
Coming and going, canyon after canyon
The narrow ledges are also headrests
Going into the canyon’s inner recesses
Is not at all useful
Xiao Xiang 3
canyon
來之坎坎，終無功。
29.3x Coming (and) going, canyon (after) canyon:
In the end, not much (is) accomplished
(after) canyon
來之坎坎，終無功。
29.3x Coming (and) going, canyon (after) canyon:
In the end, not much (is) accomplished
5th Line
(the) pit, canyon, chasm, gorge, hole, depth
坎不盈，祗既平，無咎。
The pit is not flowing over
To appreciate the level attained
Is not a mistake
→ 29.0
Xiao Xiang 5
(the) pit
坎不盈，中未大。
29.5x The pit is not flowing over:
The middle is not yet complete
Tuan Zhuan
exposure
習坎，重險。水流而不盈，行險而不失其信。維心亨，乃以剛中。行有尚，往有功。天險不可升，地險山川丘陵。王公設險以守其國，險之時用大矣哉！
Repeated exposure
(Means) twice the risk
The water replenishes but does not pile up
Making progress (through) risk yet never losing its confidence
To keep the heart secure (is) fulfillment:
When making use of the firmness within
Progress will be valued:
To continue on will be an accomplishment
Heavenly hazards do not permit climbing
Earthly hazards (are) mountains (and) rivers, hills (and) heights
Sovereigns (and) patriarchs arrange hazards in order to protect their domains
Risk’s timely application (is) very important here!
Xiang Zhuan
exposure
水洊至，習坎。君子以常德行，習教事。
Water is ever arriving
Repeated exposure
The noble young one, accordingly,
continues in character and conduct
Practicing teaching and serving
→ 29.0
Homophones (kan)
Previous開 kai1
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