Hexagram 64 as yes or no
Hexagram 64 Not Yet Crossed as a yes-or-no answer
As an answer to a yes-or-no question Wei Ji says: not yet, but not never. The Judgment opens with success and then shows the fox with its tail wet and 'nothing favourable': a good plan tried too early or finished carelessly. It does not refuse what you ask; it refuses the assumption that it is as good as done. Its advice is the Great Image's: sort out what belongs where before you move; the pieces fit each other but are all in the wrong places.
The changing lines set the timing. In the lower trigram the crossing is still ahead: line one says you are starting without measuring, so no; line two says hold your strength back, a deferred yes; line three says cross only with support. In the upper trigram the worst is behind: line four says commit fully to the long work, a yes; line five says lead by trust, a yes; the top line says enjoy the result but set a limit first — a yes that ends the moment you forget the water is still there.
The hexagram in brief
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.
You are close, not done: discern carefully, keep your resources dry, and finish with the same care you started with.
The judgment
未濟：亨，小狐汔濟，濡其尾，无攸利。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.
Which line changed?
A changing line sharpens the answer. Each line of 未濟 Not Yet Crossed has its own page:
- 初六Six at the beginningwet tail · setting out too soon · not knowing limits
- 九二Nine in the second placeholding the wheel · steadiness · central and correct
- 六三Six in the third placenot yet across · advance is evil · yet cross the river
- 九四Nine in the fourth placerousing to the campaign · three years · will carried out
- 六五Six in the fifth placethe gentleman's light · sincerity · no regret
- 上九Nine at the topconfident feasting · head under water · losing measure
The same hexagram for
Questions
- Does hexagram 64, Not Yet Crossed, mean yes or no?
- As an answer to a yes-or-no question Wei Ji says: not yet, but not never. The Judgment opens with success and then shows the fox with its tail wet and 'nothing favourable': a good plan tried too early or finished carelessly. It does not refuse what you ask; it refuses the assumption that it is as good as done. Its advice is the Great Image's: sort out what belongs where before you move; the pieces fit each other but are all in the wrong places.
- What does Hexagram 64, 未濟 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.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).