lǚAlso known as “Treading” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Lî” (Legge)
conducttreading carefullypropriety
In plain words
Heaven above the lake: treading on the tiger's tail without being bitten. Correct conduct and courtesy carry one through danger; know your place and walk carefully.
The attitude it asks for
Mind your manners and your footing; proceed respectfully even among the powerful and the risky.
Structure
Upper trigram☰乾Qian (the Creative)天 · heaven · Metal
(Lî suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
Commentary on the Judgment
履，柔履剛也。說而應乎乾，是以履虎尾，不咥人，亨。剛中正，履帝位而不疚，光明也。
In Lî we have (the symbol of) weakness treading on (that of) strength.
(The lower trigram) indicates pleasure and satisfaction, and responds to (the upper) indicating strength. Hence (it is said), 'He treads on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him; there will be progress and success.'
(The fifth line is) strong, in the centre, and in its correct place. (Its subject) occupies the God-(given) position, and falls into no distress or failure;—(his) action will be brilliant.
The Image
上天下澤，履；君子以辨上下，定民志。
(The trigram representing) the sky above, and below it (that representing the waters of) a marsh, form Lî. The superior man, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of the people.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
視履考祥，其旋元吉。
The sixth line, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
Its symbolism
元吉在上，大有慶也。
'There will be great good fortune,' and that in the occupancy of the topmost line:—this is great matter for congratulation.
The fifth line, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
Its symbolism
夬履貞厲，位正當也。
'He treads resolutely; and though he be firm and correct, there is peril:'—this is due to his being in the position that is correct and appropriate to him.
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
愬愬終吉，志行也。
'He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune:'—his aim takes effect,
The third line, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
Its symbolism
眇能視；不足以有明也。跛能履；不足以與行也，咥人之凶；位不當也。武人為于大君；志剛也。
'A one-eyed man (who thinks that he) can see:'—he is not fit to see clearly. 'A lame man (who thinks that he can) tread well:'—one cannot walk along with him. 'The ill fortune of being bitten' arises from the place not being the proper one for him. 'A (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler:'—this is owing to his aims being (too) violent.
The second line, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy;—a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
幽人貞吉，中不自亂也。
'A quiet and solitary man, to whom, being firm and correct, there will be good fortune:'—holding the due mean, he will not allow himself to be thrown into disorder.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 10, Stepping, mean?
Heaven above the lake: treading on the tiger's tail without being bitten. Correct conduct and courtesy carry one through danger; know your place and walk carefully.
Which trigrams form Stepping?
乾 above 兌 — heaven over lake. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 家人 Household.
What happens when a line of Stepping changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Stepping in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — — - - — — — is Stepping. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.