險
xian3Mathews: 2689GSR: 613f
Dictionary Definition
(a, the) risk, hazard, peril, danger, crisis, crux, focal point; (narrow) edge, ledge, crack, pass, defile; canyon, chasm, crevice, precipice, gorge; close call, narrow escape, difficulty, obstruction, challenge, obstacle; (to be) at risk, in peril, in danger; risky, hazardous, steep, perilous, precipitous, dangerous, critical, threatening, treacherous; (to) risk, hazard, venture, endanger (s, ed, ing); (exigent or strategic situation, demanding focus, heart, and the will to live)
Radical: 170+13 | First occurrence: Hexagram 29.2
Concordance & Context (21 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 29.2
2nd Line★
ri sk, hazard, danger, peril; narrow (l)edge (s)
坎有險，求小得。
The canyon holds risks
Seek modest gains
Stats: 170+13→ 29.3
3rd Line
(a, the) narrow (l)edge, crevice, crack (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
→ 03.T
Tuan Zhuan
^(of) peril, risk, hazard, danger, crisis
屯，剛柔始交而難生。動乎險中，大亨贞。雷雨之動滿盈，天造草昧，宜建侯而不寧。
Rallying
The firm (and) the flexible begin to interact and so (come) the trials of new life
Moving through the heart of risk
Much fulfillment (means) persistence
Thunder (and) rain’s activity abounds to excess
The sky creates in haste (and) obscurity
(It is) necessary to enlist delegates, but not (in order) to relax
→ 29.2
Tuan Zhuan
risk, hazard, peril (s); (a) canyon, chasm
蒙，山下有險，險而止，蒙。蒙亨，以亨行時中也。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我，志應也。初筮告，以剛中也。再三瀆，瀆則不告，瀆蒙也。蒙以養正，聖功也。
Inexperience
At the foot of the mountain are hazards
(To be) at risk and yet remain still
(Shows) inexperience
Inexperience (is) fulfilled:
According to fulfillment’s conduct at the heart of the time
It is not I (who) seeks the young (and) inexperienced,
The young (and) inexperienced seek me:
The objectives (are) complementary
The first consultation informs:
According to the firmness within
The second (and) third (show) disrespect
Disrespect deserves no information:
Disrespect (shows) immaturity
Inexperience (is) the way to cultivate uprightness
(This is) a sacred task
→ 29.2
(to be) at risk, a crux; in peril, danger, crisis
蒙，山下有險，險而止，蒙。蒙亨，以亨行時中也。匪我求童蒙，童蒙求我，志應也。初筮告，以剛中也。再三瀆，瀆則不告，瀆蒙也。蒙以養正，聖功也。
Inexperience
At the foot of the mountain are hazards
(To be) at risk and yet remain still
(Shows) inexperience
Inexperience (is) fulfilled:
According to fulfillment’s conduct at the heart of the time
It is not I (who) seeks the young (and) inexperienced,
The young (and) inexperienced seek me:
The objectives (are) complementary
The first consultation informs:
According to the firmness within
The second (and) third (show) disrespect
Disrespect deserves no information:
Disrespect (shows) immaturity
Inexperience (is) the way to cultivate uprightness
(This is) a sacred task
Tuan Zhuan
risk, hazard, peril, danger (s), difficulties
需，須也。險在前也，剛健而不陷，其義不困窮矣。需有孚，光亨，贞吉，位乎天位，以正中也。利涉大川，往有功也。
Anticipation
(Means) necessity
Hazards lie ahead
(Be) firm (and) persevering and so avoid complications
This means to avoid affliction (and) exhaustion completely
Anticipation
Be true
Honoring fulfillment, persistence is timely:
(Be) poised, with celestial dignity,
(And), accordingly, upright (and) balanced
Worthwhile to cross the great stream:
To make progress will be an accomplishment
→ 29.2
Tuan Zhuan
(is) (the) risk, crisis, hazard, peril, danger
訟，上剛下險，險而健，訟。訟有孚窒惕，中吉，剛來而得中也。終凶，訟不可成也。利見大人，尚中正也。不利涉大川，入于淵也。
Contention
Above (is) firmness, below (is) risk
At risk and yet tenacious
(Means) contention
Contention
Being true (yet) opposed,
Wariness in the middle (is) promising:
The firm comes forward and gains the center
At the end, unfortunate:
Contention is not suited to completion
Worthwhile to meet a mature human being:
To honor the central and true
Not worthwhile to cross the great stream:
(This) leads to the abyss
→ 29.2
at risk; in crisis, hazard, peril, danger
訟，上剛下險，險而健，訟。訟有孚窒惕，中吉，剛來而得中也。終凶，訟不可成也。利見大人，尚中正也。不利涉大川，入于淵也。
Contention
Above (is) firmness, below (is) risk
At risk and yet tenacious
(Means) contention
Contention
Being true (yet) opposed,
Wariness in the middle (is) promising:
The firm comes forward and gains the center
At the end, unfortunate:
Contention is not suited to completion
Worthwhile to meet a mature human being:
To honor the central and true
Not worthwhile to cross the great stream:
(This) leads to the abyss
Tuan Zhuan
(is) risky, hazardous, perilous, dangerous
師，衆也。贞，正也。能以眾正，可以王矣。剛中而應，行險而順，以此毒天下，而民從之，吉又何咎矣。
The militia
(Means) the multitude
Persistence
(Means) uprightness
The skill to employ the multitude (with) uprightness
(Is) especially suited to use by the sovereign
The firm (is) central and resonant
The practice (is) hazardous, yet responsive
To apply this is toxic to all under heaven and yet the people endure behind it
(For their) welfare:
Given this, where is the error here?
→ 29.2
Tuan Zhuan
(t he) risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
→ 29.2
(a, the) risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
risk, hazard, danger, crisis, peril (s)
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!
Tuan Zhuan
risk, hazard, peril, difficulty, challenge (s)
蹇，難也。險在前也。見險而能止，知矣哉！蹇利西南，往得中也。不利東北，其道窮也。利見大人，往有功也。當位贞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
Impasse
(Means) problems
Risk lies ahead
To perceive the risk and be able to stop
(Is) wisdom indeed!
Impasse (is) worthwhile west (to) south:
To make progress (is) to find the center
It is not worthwhile east (to) north:
This way dead ends
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Making progress will be an achievement
(In) a proper position, persistence (is) opportune:
In order to do right by the territory
Impasse’s timely application (is) very important now!
→ 29.2
(a, the) risk, hazard, peril, difficulty (s)
蹇，難也。險在前也。見險而能止，知矣哉！蹇利西南，往得中也。不利東北，其道窮也。利見大人，往有功也。當位贞吉，以正邦也。蹇之時用大矣哉！
Impasse
(Means) problems
Risk lies ahead
To perceive the risk and be able to stop
(Is) wisdom indeed!
Impasse (is) worthwhile west (to) south:
To make progress (is) to find the center
It is not worthwhile east (to) north:
This way dead ends
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Making progress will be an achievement
(In) a proper position, persistence (is) opportune:
In order to do right by the territory
Impasse’s timely application (is) very important now!
Tuan Zhuan
risk, hazard, crisis, peril; (the) crucial, critical
觧，險以動，動而免乎險，觧。觧利西南，往得衆也。其來復吉，乃得中也。有攸往，夙吉，往有功也。天地觧而雷雨作，雷雨作而百果草木皆甲坼。觧之時大矣哉！
Release
Crisis leads to movement
Movement then gets free of crisis
Released
Release favors the west to the south:
To go (is) to gain the multitude
One’s coming return (is) promising:
Here to find the center
(In) having somewhere to go, to be prompt (is) promising:
(In) making progress there will be achievement
Heaven (and) earth let loose as thunder (and) rain get to work
Thunder (and) rain go to work, and hundreds of seed pods
Of plants (and) trees, as one, begin to burst
Release’s opportune timing (is) very important now!
→ 29.2
(the, this) risk, hazard, crisis, peril, crux
觧，險以動，動而免乎險，觧。觧利西南，往得衆也。其來復吉，乃得中也。有攸往，夙吉，往有功也。天地觧而雷雨作，雷雨作而百果草木皆甲坼。觧之時大矣哉！
Release
Crisis leads to movement
Movement then gets free of crisis
Released
Release favors the west to the south:
To go (is) to gain the multitude
One’s coming return (is) promising:
Here to find the center
(In) having somewhere to go, to be prompt (is) promising:
(In) making progress there will be achievement
Heaven (and) earth let loose as thunder (and) rain get to work
Thunder (and) rain go to work, and hundreds of seed pods
Of plants (and) trees, as one, begin to burst
Release’s opportune timing (is) very important now!
Tuan Zhuan
(a, the, to) risk, hazard; peril, crisis, challenge
困，剛揜，險以説，困而不失其所亨，其唯君子乎。贞大人吉，以剛中也。有言不信，尚口乃窮也。
Exhaustion
The firm (is) covered over
To risk leads to satisfaction
(To be) beset and still not lose that which is fulfilling
One who is truly a noble young one attains this
Persistence (is) the mature human being’s promise:
By way of the firmness within
There will be words but no assurance:
To value the oral leads to exhaustion
→ 29.2
Tuan Zhuan
(at, in, through) risk, hazard, peril, crisis
節亨，剛柔分，而剛得中。苦節不可贞，其道窮也。説以行險，當位以節，中正以通。天地節，而四時成。節以制度，不傷財，不害民。
Boundaries (mean) fulfillment
The firm (and) the flexible (are) evenly apportioned
While firmness secures the center
Bitter limitations do not invite commitment:
This path dead ends
Satisfaction behind movement at risk
An appropriate place to use boundaries
Balanced (and) principled in order to follow through
Heaven (and) earth (are) constrained
And so the four seasons are completed
Boundaries serve to define the measures
(But) without encroachment on property
(And) without harm to the people
→ 29.2
Homophones (xian)
先xian1(a, the) beginning, past; ancestor, precedent, first, leader, predecessor, source; (to) begin, lead (in, with); come before/first, go before/first/ahead of, initiate, precede, take precedence, walk before, (s, ed, ing); (to be) advanced, ahead of, ancient, ancestral, before, early, earlier, elder, first, founding, foremost, former, in advance, in front of, initial, leading, prior (to), original, precedent, primal; beforehand, formerly, initially, originally, previously; deceased, late, past; drawn, led, preceded; in the beginning, at first, in advance咸xian2(to be) joined, conjoined, united (in, with), in touch with; moved, touched, persuaded (in, by); together, altogether, all, every, mutual, shared, concordant, convergent, integrated, complete, full, finished; everywhere; (to) feel, sense; join, conjoin, unite, put together, reciprocate, touch, come into contact, move, embrace, share, come together, convene, converge, complete (s, ed, ing) (in, with, together); (a, the) feeling, sensation (s); persuasion, reciprocity, mutuality; entirely, fully, completely, wholly; (also used for gan, 3232, to stimulate, influence, attract) 447贒xian2(a, the) merit, excellence, worth, worthiness, ability, talent, skill, wisdom, virtue, eminence; worthies; (to be) meritorious, good, excellent, superior, worthy, skilled, skillful, wise, virtuous, gentle, moral, ethical, eminent, exemplary, talented, able, competent, cogent, sagacious; (to) merit, excel; esteem (s, ed, ing)閑xian2training, discipline; (more) versed, familiar顯xian3evident, (^) exemplified, illustrated, manifest莧xian4wild (edible) greens, herbs, spinach, purslane陷xian4entrapment, entanglement, complication (s)限xian4boundaries, limits, restrictions, constraints +
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