Hexagram 20 · Contemplation

观 · Guān

Hexagram 20, Contemplation (观, Guān), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Earth below and Wind above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “盥而不荐，有孚颙若。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with contemplation — seeing and being seen. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Earth (坤) — receptivity and support
Upper trigram: Wind (巽) — gentleness and quiet penetration
Symbol: ䷓ · Name: 观 (Guān) · Number: 20 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   童观，小人无咎，君子吝。
   The Image says: 初六“童观”，小人道也。
2. 六二 (六二)
   窥观，利女贞。
   The Image says: “窥观”“女贞”，亦可丑也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   观我生，进退。
   The Image says: “观我生，进退”，未失道也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   观国之光，利用宾于王。
   The Image says: “观国之光”，尚“宾”也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   观我生，君子无咎。
   The Image says: “观我生”，观民也。
6. Top line (yang) (上九)
   观其生，君子无咎。
   The Image says: “观其生”，志未平也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 20?

Hexagram 20 is Contemplation (观, Guān), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Earth below and Wind above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Contemplation?

The judgment of Contemplation reads, in the Chinese original: “盥而不荐，有孚颙若。”. Its Great Image reads: “风行地上，观。先王以省方观民设教。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Contemplation symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Contemplation is associated with contemplation — seeing and being seen. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.