Hexagram 60 · Limitation

节 · Jié

Hexagram 60, Limitation (节, Jié), is one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). It is formed by Lake below and Water above. Its judgment reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，苦节，不可贞。”. In the classical tradition this hexagram is associated with limitation — measure, joints and moderation. This page collects its structure, judgment, Image and six line texts for cultural study.

Structure

Lower trigram: Lake (兑) — joy and open exchange
Upper trigram: Water (坎) — depth, danger and constancy in flow
Symbol: ䷻ · Name: 节 (Jié) · Number: 60 of 64

Judgment (Chinese original)

The Image (Chinese original)

The Six Lines (Chinese original)

1. Bottom line (yang) (初九)
   不出户庭，无咎。
   The Image says: “不出户庭”，知通塞也。
2. 九二 (九二)
   不出门庭，凶。
   The Image says: “不出门庭，凶”，失时极也。
3. 六三 (六三)
   不节若，则嗟若，无咎。
   The Image says: “不节”之“嗟”，又谁“咎”也？
4. 六四 (六四)
   安节，亨。
   The Image says: “安节”之“亨”，承上道也。
5. 九五 (九五)
   甘节，吉。往有尚。
   The Image says: “甘节”之“吉”，居位中也。
6. Top line (yin) (上六)
   苦节，贞凶，悔亡。
   The Image says: “苦节，贞凶”，其道穷也。

FAQ

What is I Ching Hexagram 60?

Hexagram 60 is Limitation (节, Jié), one of the sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching. It is formed by Lake below and Water above, and belongs to the classical Chinese textual tradition.

What is the judgment of Limitation?

The judgment of Limitation reads, in the Chinese original: “亨，苦节，不可贞。”. Its Great Image reads: “泽上有水，节。君子以制数度，议德行。”. Translations vary by edition; the judgment and the Image are the core texts for understanding the hexagram.

What does Limitation symbolize?

In the classical tradition, Limitation is associated with limitation — measure, joints and moderation. It is studied as cultural symbolism — a lens for reflection — not as a prediction of fortune or future events.