kùnAlso known as “Oppression” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Khwăn” (Legge)
exhaustionconfinementadversity
In plain words
A lake with no water in it: exhaustion. Success is still possible for the great person who stays correct — words are not believed now, so prove yourself by steadiness.
The attitude it asks for
Accept the constraint, conserve, keep your word and your cheerfulness; the way out comes through character, not argument.
In (the condition denoted by) Khwăn there may (yet be) progress and success. For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune. He will fall into no error. If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good.
Commentary on the Judgment
困，剛掩也。險以說，困而不失其所，亨；其唯君子乎？貞大人吉，以剛中也。有言不信，尚口乃窮也。
In Khwăn (we see) the strong (lines) covered and obscured (by the weak).
We have in it (the attribute of) perilousness going on to that of satisfaction. Who is it but the superior man that, though straitened, still does not fail in making progress to his proper end? 'For the firm and correct, the (really) great man, there will be good fortune:'—this is shown by the central positions of the strong (lines). 'If he make speeches, his words cannot be made good:'—to be fond of arguing or pleading is the way to be reduced to extremity.
The Image
澤无水，困；君子以致命遂志。
(The trigram representing) a marsh, and (below it that for a defile, which has drained the other dry so that there is) no water in it, form Khwăn. The superior man, in accordance with this, will sacrifice his life in order to carry out his purpose.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。
The sixth line, divided, shows its subject straitened, as if bound with creepers; or in a high and dangerous position, and saying (to himself), 'If I move, I shall repent it.' If he do repent of former errors, there will be good fortune in his going forward.
Its symbolism
困于葛藟，未當也。動悔，有悔吉，行也。
'He is straitened as if bound with creepers:'—(his spirit and action) are unsuitable. '(He says), "If I move, I shall repent of it." And he does repent (of former errors), which leads to good fortune:'—so he (now) goes on.
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject with his nose and feet cut off. He is straitened by (his ministers in their) scarlet aprons. He is leisurely in his movements, however, and is satisfied. It will be well for him to be (as sincere) as in sacrificing (to spiritual beings).
Its symbolism
劓刖，志未得也。乃徐有說，以中直也。利用祭祀，受福也。
'His nose and feet are cut off:'—his aim has not yet been gained. 'He is leisurely, however, in his movements, and is satisfied:'—his position is central and (his virtue) is correct. 'It will be well for him to be (as sincere as) in sacrificing:'—so shall he receive blessing.
The fourth line, undivided shows its subject proceeding very slowly (to help the subject of the first line), who is straitened by the carriage adorned with metal in front of him. There will be occasion for regret, but the end will be good.
Its symbolism
來徐徐，志在下也。雖不當位，有與也。
'He proceeds very slowly (to help the subject of the first line):'—his aim is directed to (help) that lower (line). Although he is not in his appropriate place, he and that other will (in the end) be together.
The third line, divided, shows its subject straitened before a (frowning) rock. He lays hold of thorns. He enters his palace, and does not see his wife. There will be evil.
Its symbolism
據于蒺蔾，乘剛也。入于其宮，不見其妻，不祥也。
'He lays hold of thorns:'—(this is suggested by the position of the line) above the strong (line). 'He enters his palace, and does not see his wife:'—this is inauspicious.
The second line, undivided, shows its subject straitened amidst his wine and viands. There come to him anon the red knee-covers (of the ruler). It will be well for him (to maintain his sincerity as) in sacrificing. Active operations (on his part) will lead to evil, but he will be free from blame.
Its symbolism
困于酒食，中有慶也。
'He is straitened amidst his wine and viands:'—(but) his position is central, and there will be ground for congratulation.
The first line, divided, shows its subject with bare buttocks straitened under the stump of a tree. He enters a dark valley, and for three years has no prospect (of deliverance).
Its symbolism
入于幽谷，幽不明也。
'He enters a dark valley:'—so benighted is he, and without clear vision.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 47, Confinement, mean?
A lake with no water in it: exhaustion. Success is still possible for the great person who stays correct — words are not believed now, so prove yourself by steadiness.
Which trigrams form Confinement?
兌 above 坎 — lake over water. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 家人 Household.
What happens when a line of Confinement 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 Confinement in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - — - - — — - - is Confinement. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.