Hexagram 18 · Work on What Has Been Spoiled

蛊 · Gǔ

Hexagram 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled (蛊, Gǔ), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Wind below and Mountain above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with repairing what has fallen into decay or neglect. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Wind (巽) — gentleness and quiet penetration
Upper trigram: Mountain (艮) — stillness and knowing when to stop
Symbol: ䷑ · Name: 蛊 (Gǔ) · Number: 18 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。
   The Image says: “干父之蛊”，意承考也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   干母之蛊，不可贞。
   The Image says: “干母之蛊”，得中道也。
3. 九三 (九三)
   干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
   The Image says: “干父之蛊”，终“无咎”也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   裕父之蛊，往见吝。
   The Image says: “裕父之蛊”，往未得也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   干父之蛊，用誉。
   The Image says: “干父”“用誉”，承以德也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   不事王侯，高尚其事。
   The Image says: “不事王侯”，志可则也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 18?

Hexagram 18 is Work on What Has Been Spoiled (蛊, Gǔ), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Wind below and Mountain above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Work on What Has Been Spoiled?

The judgment of Work on What Has Been Spoiled reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。”. Its Great Image reads: “山下有风，蛊。君子以振民育德。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Work on What Has Been Spoiled symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Work on What Has Been Spoiled is associated with repairing what has fallen into decay or neglect. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.