Hexagram 48: The Well
Outer trigram (upper)
Khảm
Water · Water
Inner trigram (lower)
Tốn
Wind · Wood
Judgment
井：改邑不改井，无喪无得，往來井井，汔至，亦未繘井，羸其瓶，凶.
Translation
The Well: a town may be moved, but the well cannot be moved. It neither loses nor gains. People come and go drawing from it. One draws near but has not yet reached the well, and the jug breaks. Misfortune.
Commentary
The upper trigram is Water (Kan), the lower is Wood/Wind (Xun) — wood is used to draw water up from the well. Like moral character, a well nourishes people without ever changing itself. A person may move to a new home, but their integrity, like the well, stays constant. The task must be carried through to completion — nothing should be allowed to fail at the last step.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yin)
初六：井泥不食，舊井无禽.
Translation
The well is muddy and its water cannot be drunk; an old, abandoned well draws no birds.
Commentary
At the very bottom, this line is a well clogged with mud and useless. A person without virtue is likewise passed over by others, left neglected like an old, abandoned well.
Line 2 (yang)
九二：井谷射鮒，甕敝漏.
Translation
The well is shallow like a hollow, fit only for spearing small fish; the jug is cracked and leaking.
Commentary
This yang line has talent, but is not placed where it can be put to proper use, since it has no correspondence with line 5. Like a good well with a broken jug, its ability goes to waste.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：井渫不食，為我心惻，可用汲，王明，並受其福.
Translation
The well is clean, yet no one drinks from it — this grieves my heart. Its water could be drawn. If the ruler were wise, everyone would share in the good fortune.
Commentary
This yang line is correctly placed and has both ability and virtue, but goes unused by those above, since it has no correspondence there — a genuine pity. If a wise ruler recognized and made use of it, everyone would benefit.
Line 4 (yin)
六四：井甃，无咎.
Translation
The well is being lined and repaired. No blame.
Commentary
This yin line is correctly placed. The moment is not yet right for great contribution, so the time is spent improving oneself instead, much like lining a well. No blame.
Line 5 (yang)
九五：井洌，寒泉食.
Translation
The well runs clear — its cold spring water is good to drink.
Commentary
This yang line is centered, correct, and holds the position of honor — like a clear, cool spring. Its balanced, upright character nourishes everyone around it. A fine outcome.
Line 6 (yin)
上六：井收，勿幕，有孚，元吉.
Translation
The well has filled and is ready — leave it uncovered. With sincerity present, this is greatly auspicious.
Commentary
At the furthest extreme, this line is a well now full of water. Leaving it uncovered so everyone may draw from it — openly sharing one's virtue — combined with genuine sincerity, brings great good fortune.