The Paradox of Perfection and the Art of Maintenance
Hexagram 63 (Chi Chi/After Completion) presents a picture of perfect equilibrium. The river has been crossed; the task is done. Every line is in its correct place, symbolizing a time of supreme success. Yet, the I Ching offers a haunting prophecy for this golden age: "Initial good fortune, terminal chaos."
This hexagram teaches the harsh reality of Entropy: Maintenance is harder than Creation. When a system reaches perfection, it naturally tends to decay. Therefore, the strategy for "After Completion" is not celebration, but Hyper-Vigilance.
The text advises that in the early aftermath of success, one must move with extreme caution. It is better to drag one's tail in the water than to rush forward and lose what has been gained. Even if one possesses great talent that is currently overlooked, the correct action is to wait patiently rather than forcing progress.
As the era of peace continues, the greatest danger is Exhaustion. The hexagram warns leaders against ambitious but draining expansions (like the "High Ancestor attacking the Devil Country"), noting that tiring the people invites rebellion. Instead, wisdom lies in "Plugging the Leaks" (Line 4). One must constantly look for invisible cracks in the boat and patch them with rags before they become floods.
The contrast between arrogance and humility is stark. The text compares the lavish ox-sacrifice of the Eastern Neighbor (the powerful) with the meager offering of the Western Neighbor (the sincere). It concludes that Sincerity outperforms Extravagance. True blessings come from a humble heart, not a grand display.
Summary: The cycle ends with a warning against losing one's head. If a leader becomes drunk on peace and loses their sense of danger, they will literally "get their head wet"—a metaphor for drowning in the river they thought they had already crossed. Chi Chi reminds us that there is no permanent "Happy Ending"; success is fragile and requires constant, anxious guarding.
