Hsü intimates that, with the sincerity which is declared in it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
Hsü denotes waiting. (The figure) shows peril in front; but notwithstanding the firmness and strength (indicated by the inner trigram), its subject does not allow himself to be involved (in the dangerous defile);—it is right he should not be straitened or reduced to extremity.
When it is said that, 'with the sincerity declared in Hsü, there will be brilliant success, and with firmness there will be good fortune,' this is shown by the position (of the fifth line) in the place assigned by Heaven, and its being the correct position for it, and in the centre. 'It will be advantageous to go through the great stream;'—that is, going forward will be followed by meritorious achievement.
The Image
雲上於天，需；君子以飲食宴樂。
(The trigram for) clouds ascending over that for the sky forms Hsü. The superior man, in accordance with this, eats and drinks, feasts and enjoys himself (as if there were nothing else to employ him).
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
入于穴，有不速之客三人來，敬之終吉。
The topmost line, divided, shows its subject entered into the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.
Its symbolism
不速之客來，敬之終吉。雖不當位，未大失也。
'Guests come unurged (to give their help), and if (the subject of the line) receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end:'—though the occupant and the place are not suited to each other, there has been no great failure (in what has been done).
The fifth line, undivided, shows its subject waiting amidst the appliances of a feast. Through his firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
酒食貞吉，以中正也。
'The appliances of a feast, and the good fortune through being firm and correct,' are indicated by (the position in) the central and correct place.
The third line, undivided, shows its subject in the mud (close by the stream). He thereby invites the approach of injury.
Its symbolism
需于泥，災在外也。自我致寇，敬慎不敗也。
'He is waiting in the mud:'—calamity is (close at hand, and as it were) in the outer (trigram). 'He himself invites the approach of injury:'—if he be reverent and careful, he will not be worsted.
The second line, undivided, shows its subject waiting on the sand (of the mountain stream). He will (suffer) the small (injury of) being spoken (against), but in the end there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
需于沙，衍在中也。雖小有言，以終吉也。
'He is waiting on the sand:'—he occupies his position in the centre with a generous forbearance. Though 'he suffer the small injury of being spoken (against),' he will bring things to a good issue.
The first line, undivided, shows its subject waiting in the distant border. It will be well for him constantly to maintain (the purpose thus shown), in which case there will be no error.
Its symbolism
需于郊，不犯難行也。利用恆，无咎；未失常也。
'He is waiting in the (distant) border:'—he makes no movement to encounter rashly the difficulties (of the situation). 'It will be advantageous for him constantly to maintain (the purpose thus shown), in which case there will be no error:'—he will not fail to pursue that regular course.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 5, Attending, mean?
Clouds rising to heaven: rain that will come in its time. Confident waiting — not idle, but nourishing yourself until the crossing is safe.
Which trigrams form Attending?
坎 above 乾 — water over heaven. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 睽 Divergence.
What happens when a line of Attending 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 Attending in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — — — - - — - - is Attending. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.