wèi jìAlso known as “Before Completion” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Wei Žî” (Legge)
before completiontransitionthe unfinished
In plain words
Fire over water, every line out of place: not yet across. Success is possible — but the little fox, nearly over, wets its tail; nothing is favourable yet. The Book ends with the crossing still ahead.
The attitude it asks for
You are close, not done: discern carefully, keep your resources dry, and finish with the same care you started with.
Wei Žî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies). (We see) a young fox that has nearly crossed (the stream), when its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way.
Commentary on the Judgment
未濟，亨；柔得中也。小狐汔濟，未出中也。濡其尾，无攸利；不續終也。雖不當位，剛柔應也。
'Wei Žî intimates progress and success (in the circumstances which it implies):'—the weak (fifth) line is in the centre.
'The young fox has nearly crossed the stream:'—but he has not yet escaped from the midst (of the danger and calamity). 'Its tail gets immersed. There will be no advantage in any way:'—there is not at the end a continuance (of the purpose) at the beginning. Although the places (of the different lines) are not those appropriate to them, yet a strong (line) and a weak (line always) respond to each other.
The Image
火在水上，未濟；君子以慎辨物居方。
(The trigram representing) water and that for fire above it form Wei Žî. The superior man, in accordance with this, carefully discriminates among (the qualities of) things, and the (different) positions they (naturally) occupy.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
有孚于飲酒，无咎，濡其首，有孚失是。
The topmost line, undivided, shows its subject full of confidence and therefore feasting (quietly). There will be no error. (If he) cherish this confidence, till he (is like the fox who) gets his head immersed, it will fail of what is right.
Its symbolism
飲酒濡首，亦不知節也。
'He drinks and gets his head immersed:'—he does not know how to submit to the (proper) regulations.
The fifth line, divided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, and having no occasion for repentance. (We see in him) the brightness of a superior man, and the possession of sincerity. There will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
君子之光，其暉吉也。
'(We see) the brightness of a superior man:'—the diffusion of that brightness tends to good fortune.
The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject by firm correctness obtaining good fortune, so that all occasion for repentance disappears. Let him stir himself up, as if he were invading the Demon region, where for three years rewards will come to him (and his troops) from the great kingdom.
Its symbolism
貞吉悔亡，志行也。
'By firm correctness there is good fortune, and cause for repentance disappears:'—the aim (of the subject of the line) is carried into effect.
The third line, divided, shows its subject, with (the state of things) not yet remedied, advancing on; which will lead to evil. But there will be advantage in (trying to) cross the great stream.
Its symbolism
未濟征凶，位不當也。
'(The state of things is) not yet remedied. Advancing will lead to evil:'—the place (of the line) is not that appropriate for it.
The second line, undivided, shows its subject dragging back his (carriage-) wheel. With firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.
Its symbolism
九二貞吉，中以行正也。
'The second line, undivided, shows good fortune arising from being firm and correct:'—it is in the central place, and the action of its subject thereby becomes correct.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 64, Not Yet Crossed, mean?
Fire over water, every line out of place: not yet across. Success is possible — but the little fox, nearly over, wets its tail; nothing is favourable yet. The Book ends with the crossing still ahead.
Which trigrams form Not Yet Crossed?
離 above 坎 — fire over water. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 既濟 Already Crossed.
What happens when a line of Not Yet Crossed 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 Not Yet Crossed in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - — - - — - - — is Not Yet Crossed. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.