48. The Well (井)

Line 6

If this line changes it transforms into 57. The Gentle (Wind) (巽)

Modern reading

Line 6 marks the culmination of the well, where the water is fully gathered yet left uncovered for universal use, bringing supreme good fortune through openhearted generosity. It represents an enduring legacy established through open access and shared abundance.

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I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 48 井 — Line 6.
Interpret through classical principles in two layers: 1) Structural Evidence: identify key line dynamics, changing line pivot, or element balance. 2) Actionable Verdict: direct answer to the inquiry in plain language, followed by 2–3 concrete next steps (action-verb first) and mindful cautions. Grounded wisdom for self-reflection. Source page:
https://eastalmanac.com/yijing/48/6

I Ching casting

At the summit of the hexagram, this yin line converts the labor of the entire hexagram into an enduring common resource, completing the well without placing a lid over its mouth.

Classical readings celebrate this openness as supreme fulfillment, showing that unselfish distribution and mutual trust crown great endeavors with lasting honor. In plain terms, your mission is complete, and sharing the fruits openly ensures enduring goodwill and success.

Career

A major project, professional milestone, or phase of responsibility has reached successful completion, shifting your focus toward knowledge transfer and community enablement.

Classical tradition warns against hoarding credit or jealously guarding institutional assets, advocating instead for open collaboration that solidifies your legacy. In short, share your expertise and empower your colleagues to let your achievements have a lasting impact.

Love & relationships

The partnership has weathered its formative trials, arriving at a state of total transparency, mutual devotion, and emotional freedom. With defensive walls removed and past insecurities resolved, both people give and receive support with complete confidence.

All in all, holding nothing back in mutual trust brings true harmony and enduring warmth to your bond.

Wealth

Financial development reaches a phase of cooperative returns and ecosystem building, where wealth functions best as circulating capital rather than hoarded surplus.

Traditional philosophy teaches that resources kept in generous circulation build sustainable security through strong partnerships and goodwill. Simply put, creating mutual value and honoring collective agreements will sustain your prosperity over the long run.

References

Original text

Line statement

6. The topmost line, divided, shows, (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.

Small Image

‘The great good fortune’ at the topmost place indicates the grand accomplishment (of the idea in the hexagram).

Classical commentary

Zhouyi BenyiLine statement

'Shou' (collecting/drawing) is pronounced like shou in 'gathering crops' [shi-jiu fan], and also read like the character [shou]. 'Mu' is pronounced mo. 'Shou' means drawing water. Mr. Chao says 'shou' is the windlass that collects the well-rope, which also makes sense.

'Mu' means to veil or cover. 'There is sincerity' means that its emergence has a source and is inexhaustible. The Well takes emerging at the top as its achievement, and the mouth of the Kan abyss is not covered.

Hence, although Six at the Top is not yang and firm, its image is like this. When a diviner matches this, there must be sincerity for there to be supreme good fortune.

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

The Well takes emerging at the top as its function. Occupying the top of The Well is the culmination of the way of The Well. 'Shou' means drawing; 'mu' means covering. To draw from it without covering it leaves its benefit inexhaustible. The Well's bestowal is vast and grand!

'There is sincerity' means having constancy without changing. Bestowing broadly with constancy is the good fortune of great goodness. Now, embodying the function of The Well, bestowing broadly with constancy—who could accomplish this if not a great man?

The culmination of other hexagrams brings extremity and change; only in The Well and The Cauldron does the culmination constitute success. Therefore it is auspicious.

Yichuan YizhuanSmall Image

The good fortune of great goodness residing at the top of the hexagram is the grand completion of the way of The Well. The Well takes reaching the top as success.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

Dwelling at the utmost top of The Well, the water has already emerged from the well; the achievement of the well is greatly accomplished, resting in this line. Therefore it is called 'the well is drawn.'

The multitudes below look up to it for relief; the deep springs find passage through it. 'Mu' is like covering. When one does not monopolize what one possesses nor privatize its benefits, all things turn to it and its progress is boundless. Hence it is said: 'Do not cover it.

There is sincerity; supreme good fortune.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

The Correct Meaning states: 'Shou' is pronounced shi-zhou fan. Whenever a thing can be gathered and brought to harvest, it is called 'shou,' just as the five grains have a harvest.

Six at the Top dwells at the utmost extremity of The Well; it is 'water having already emerged from the well, the achievement of the well being greatly accomplished,' hence it is called 'the well is drawn.'

As for 'do not cover it; there is sincerity; supreme good fortune,' 'mu' means covering.

The well's achievement is already accomplished; if one does not monopolize its beauty, does not reserve its profit for oneself, does not cover it up, but shares it with the multitudes, then one will be the refuge of all beings.

Sincerity can bring about its great achievement and obtain supreme good fortune. Hence it is said: 'Do not cover it. There is sincerity; supreme good fortune.'

Zhouyi ZhengyiSmall Image

The Correct Meaning states: The reason why Six at the Top can obtain 'supreme good fortune' is simply because it occupies the top of The Well, where the work is brought to great completion.