Hexagram 29 · The Abysmal

习坎 · Kǎn

Hexagram 29, The Abysmal (习坎, Kǎn), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Water below and Water above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “有孚，维心亨。行有尚。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with repeated danger, and constancy like flowing water. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Water (坎) — depth, danger and constancy in flow
Upper trigram: Water (坎) — depth, danger and constancy in flow
Symbol: ䷜ · Name: 习坎 (Kǎn) · Number: 29 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yin) (初六)
   习坎，入于坎窞，凶。
   The Image says: “习坎”入坎，失道凶也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   坎有险，求小得。
   The Image says: “求小得”，未出中也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   来之坎坎，险且枕，入于坎窞，勿用。
   The Image says: “来之坎坎”，终无功也。
4. 六四 (六四)
   樽酒，簋贰，用缶，纳约自牖，终无咎。
   The Image says: “樽酒，簋贰”，刚柔际也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   坎不盈，祗既平，无咎。
   The Image says: “坎不盈”，中未大也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   係用徽纆，寘于丛棘，三岁不得，凶。
   The Image says: 上六失道，凶“三岁”也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 29?

Hexagram 29 is The Abysmal (习坎, Kǎn), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Water below and Water above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of The Abysmal?

The judgment of The Abysmal reads, in the Chinese original: “有孚，维心亨。行有尚。”. Its Great Image reads: “水洊至，习坎。君子以常德行，习教事。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does The Abysmal symbolize?

In the classical tradition, The Abysmal is associated with repeated danger, and constancy like flowing water. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.