Hexagram 2 · The Receptive

坤 · Kūn

Hexagram 2, The Receptive (坤, Kūn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Earth below and Earth above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷，后得主，利。西南得朋，东北丧朋。安贞吉。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with receptivity, devotion and the capacity to carry and support. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Upper trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Symbol: ䷁ · Name: 坤 (Kūn) · Number: 2 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   履霜，坚冰至。
   The Image says: “履霜坚冰”，阴始凝也；驯致其道，至坚冰也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   直方大，不习无不利。
   The Image says: 六二之动，“直”以“方”也。“不习无不利”，地道光也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   含章可贞；或从王事，无成有终。
   The Image says: “含章可贞”，以时发也；“或从王事”，知光大也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   括囊，无咎无誉。
   The Image says: “括囊无咎”，慎不害也。
5. 六五 (六五)
   黄裳，元吉。
   The Image says: “黄裳元吉”，文在中也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   龙战于野，其血玄黄。
   The Image says: “龙战于野”，其道穷也。
7. Bonus line (yin) (用六)
   利永贞。
   The Image says: 用六“永贞”，以大终也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 2?

Hexagram 2 is The Receptive (坤, Kūn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Earth below and Earth above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of The Receptive?

The judgment of The Receptive reads, in the Chinese original: “元亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷，后得主，利。西南得朋，东北丧朋。安贞吉。”. Its Great Image reads: “地势坤，君子以厚德载物。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does The Receptive symbolize?

In the classical tradition, The Receptive is associated with receptivity, devotion and the capacity to carry and support. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.