I Ching · Hexagram 20 of 64
Hexagram 20: Guan （观） — Contemplation
Guan is Wind over Earth, wind moving across the land and bending the grass before it, the sign of an unseen majesty descending and the multitude bowing in assent. The hexagram treats the way of beholding and transforming, honoring the invisible gods and the way of Heaven with sincerity until worshiper and onlooker alike are changed, rising from a faith of fear and short gain to the mature ground where the mind itself is Buddha.
At a glance
| Hexagram | 20 of 64 |
|---|---|
| Name | Guan 观 · Contemplation |
| Upper trigram | Xun （巽）· Wind |
| Lower trigram | Kun （坤）· Earth |
| Structure | Wind over Earth |
| Lines | 6 lines |
The Judgment （卦辞）
Contemplation. The washing has been done, but not yet the offering. Full of trust, they look up.
ExplainedThe washing stands for the purity of heart prepared before the altar, before any gift or prostration, when no one is watching. That the offering has not yet begun means sincerity must be complete beforehand rather than produced for display. When the worshiper is wholly sincere those who watch lift their heads in awe, meeting heart with heart, and the invisible sacred seems to stand before them.
Tuan Zhuan — Commentary on the Judgment （彖传）
Great contemplation is above: compliant and gentle, centered and correct, he contemplates the world. Contemplation: the washing has been done but not yet the offering; full of trust, they look up: those below look up and are transformed. Contemplating the divine way of Heaven, the four seasons never err. The holy one sets up teaching by the divine way, and the world submits.
ExplainedWhat is most worthy of beholding lies above and cannot be seen, for the way of Heaven, the Most High and the original mind have no form, and only the unseen is most real. To be compliant is to accept the Heavenly mandate with a soft heart, so that within one keeps the center and without one walks upright, becoming a messenger of Heaven whom the world looks up to and trusts. The divine way shows itself in the turning of the seasons and the birth of all things, which no human strength could contrive; therefore the holy one teaches by the divine way, and the world submits.
Xiang Zhuan — Image Commentary （大象）
Wind moves over the earth: Contemplation. Thus the ancient kings inspected the regions, observed the people, and set up their teaching.
ExplainedAs the wind bends the grass, the divine descends like spring rain, changing hearts and customs. The ancient kings took from this the duty to inspect the differing customs of each region and to set up a teaching suited to each, guiding beings according to their capacity so that customs improve and hearts return to one.
The Six Lines （六爻）
The lines are read from the bottom upward. Each carries its own text, a Small Image commentary, and a plain-English reading.
Line 1 · YinLine 1
The contemplation of a child. For the small man, no blame; for the noble one, regret.
Small ImageThe childlike contemplation of the first six: this is the way of the small man.
ExplainedTo look at faith with a child's eye is to ask only what benefit it brings, seeking blessing and the warding off of misfortune. For ordinary people this is a blameless beginning, but one who aims at sagehood and stays there despises the great Way.
Line 2 · YinLine 2
Peeping contemplation. Favorable for the perseverance of a woman.
Small ImagePeeping contemplation and a woman's perseverance: this too may be shameful.
ExplainedPeeping from behind is to admire the sages and gods but not dare to follow, keeping oneself pure and withdrawn. For a woman in old times this had its place, but the noble one who only shuts his door and refuses to go out and transform others wears a shameful face.
Line 3 · YinLine 3
Contemplating my own life, advancing and retreating.
Small ImageContemplating my own life, advancing and retreating: he has not yet lost the Way.
ExplainedHere one moves from watching one's desires to watching one's own life, asking where it came from and where it goes and what it is for. Heaven's principle and human desire fight within, and one advances and retreats repeatedly; but once the question truly matters one never leaves the Way, however often one wavers.
Line 4 · YinLine 4
Contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the guest of a king.
Small ImageContemplating the glory of the kingdom: he is honored as a guest.
ExplainedReturning the light and beholding one's own nature, one then looks at the world and finds it everywhere bright with the way, for the green bamboo and the yellow blossom are all the Body of Truth. Such a one is honored by rulers as a guest and as a teacher of kings.
Line 5 · YangLine 5
Contemplating my own life. The noble one is without blame.
Small ImageContemplating my own life: he contemplates the people.
ExplainedTo know one's life thoroughly is to know that one's nature is that of a noble one and a sage, already complete and not acquired by cultivation, and all obstruction falls away at once. Looking within, one sees the hearts of all beings, and the unspoken teaching dissolves the darkness and sorrow of those one touches; this is the maturity of faith.
Line 6 · YangLine 6
Contemplating his life. The noble one is without blame.
Small ImageContemplating his life: his will is not yet at peace.
ExplainedOne who sees beings suffer hastens to save them, without time to return the light and meet hearts within. Such a person is still a noble one and blameless, but his will is never fulfilled, for compassion without wisdom urges others by effort alone and cannot transform them at the root.
Key takeaway
Contemplation moves from awe of the unseen to the transformation of the heart, until faith matures into seeing the Buddha within one's own mind.
Frequently asked questions
What does Hexagram 20 (Guan) mean in the I Ching?
Guan is Wind over Earth, wind moving across the land and bending the grass before it, the sign of an unseen majesty descending and the multitude bowing in assent. The hexagram treats the way of beholding and transforming, honoring the invisible gods and the way of Heaven with sincerity until worshiper and onlooker alike are changed, rising from a faith of fear and short gain to the mature ground where the mind itself is Buddha.
What is the judgment of Hexagram 20?
Contemplation. The washing has been done, but not yet the offering. Full of trust, they look up. The washing stands for the purity of heart prepared before the altar, before any gift or prostration, when no one is watching. That the offering has not yet begun means sincerity must be complete beforehand rather than produced for display. When the worshiper is wholly sincere those who watch lift their heads in awe…
What do the six lines of Hexagram 20 say?
Line 1: The contemplation of a child. For the small man, no blame; for the noble one, regret. Line 2: Peeping contemplation. Favorable for the perseverance of a woman. Line 3: Contemplating my own life, advancing and retreating. Line 4: Contemplating the glory of the kingdom. It is favorable to be the guest of a king. Line 5: Contemplating my own life. The noble one is without blame. Line 6: Contemplating his life. The noble one is without blame.
What is the main lesson of Hexagram 20 (Contemplation)?
Contemplation moves from awe of the unseen to the transformation of the heart, until faith matures into seeing the Buddha within one's own mind.
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