I Ching · Hexagram 5 of 64
Hexagram 5: Xu （需） — Waiting
Water above heaven, clouds gathered but rain not yet fallen: the meaning of waiting. Taking food and drink as its image, the hexagram teaches that what life requires should be sought from heaven with sincerity and uprightness rather than seized by greed. To grasp and hoard only draws danger down upon oneself.
At a glance
| Hexagram | 5 of 64 |
|---|---|
| Name | Xu 需 · Waiting |
| Upper trigram | Kan （坎）· Water |
| Lower trigram | Qian （乾）· Heaven |
| Structure | Water over Heaven |
| Lines | 6 lines |
The Judgment （卦辞）
Xu. There is sincerity: radiant success, steadfast good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great water.
ExplainedXu is need and waiting, and the needs of life, beginning with food and drink, stand for all that we require. The first requirement is sincerity, by which one moves heaven and earns the trust of others, and through it the light of human nature appears and life becomes open. Add steadfastness, a straight heart and good conduct, and heaven grants its blessing, so that even the crossing of great waters becomes safe. What is needed is not seized but requested, and virtue is the true provision.
Tuan Zhuan — Commentary on the Judgment （彖传）
Xu means waiting: danger lies ahead, yet the firm and strong do not sink into it, for in justice they are not exhausted. Xu: sincerity, radiant success, steadfast good fortune, because he dwells in the heavenly position, in the central and the right. It is favorable to cross the great water, for going brings merit.
ExplainedXu means waiting: danger lies ahead, yet the firm and strong refuse to sink into it, for their justice keeps them from exhaustion. Whoever dwells in the heavenly position, central and right, gains sincerity, light, success and good fortune. Heaven then confers a mission, so that it is favorable to cross the great water and going brings merit, not only one's own blessing but service and salvation for the world.
Xiang Zhuan — Image Commentary （大象）
Clouds rise up to heaven: Xu. Thus the gentleman eats and drinks, and is joyous.
ExplainedClouds above heaven must thicken before they fall as rain. So after food and drink are sufficient the gentleman must feast and share: wealth flows like water and must be distributed, for heaven gives its abundance to those who give it away.
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 · YangLine 1
Waiting in the outer fields: it is favorable to be constant. No blame.
Small ImageWaiting in the outer fields: he does not risk hardship in going. Favoring constancy, without blame: he has not lost his normal course.
ExplainedThe outer field is far from the water's danger, and most people live there, seeking only a steady living. Constancy keeps them from losing their measure; the danger is the restlessness that abandons a trade and drifts.
Line 2 · YangLine 2
Waiting on the sand: some words are spoken, but in the end good fortune.
Small ImageWaiting on the sand: he is at ease in the center. Though some words are spoken, he ends in good fortune.
ExplainedOne step nearer the water, a bolder person dares a small change to increase his gain without risking ruin. Change invites criticism, so keep flexibility within: bold yet careful, leaving room to withdraw, and the end is good.
Line 3 · YangLine 3
Waiting in the mud: it draws robbers down upon him.
Small ImageWaiting in the mud: the disaster comes from outside. He himself invites the robber; respectful caution would leave him unconquered.
ExplainedCaught in the mud, one has rushed blindly at profit with no way out, and swindlers and rivals gather to set traps. The disaster is self-invited; respectful caution and an early exit can still save the principal.
Line 4 · YinLine 4
Waiting in blood: he comes out of the pit.
Small ImageWaiting in blood: he yields and listens.
ExplainedFalling into the pit through overwork means paying with health and not merely with money. The way out is to yield and listen: heed the counsel of family and friends, rest and recover, and one emerges from the pit one dug oneself.
Line 5 · YangLine 5
Waiting with wine and food: steadfast good fortune.
Small ImageWine and food, steadfast good fortune: because he is central and right.
ExplainedWine and food stand for heaven's care and sufficiency, granted to the upright. Those so favored can sacrifice above and give alms below, and because they keep the center and walk upright they are steadfast and fortunate.
Line 6 · YinLine 6
He enters the pit; three uninvited guests come. To treat them with respect brings good fortune in the end.
Small ImageUninvited guests come; treating them with respect ends in good fortune. Though his place is wrong, he does not greatly err.
ExplainedAt the extreme of the pit there is no retreat, yet unexpected guests arrive to warn and guide. To receive their words with respect ends in good fortune; to reject honest counsel as ill-omened words leaves one beyond rescue.
Key takeaway
Life's needs come from heaven and not from seizure: wait with sincerity and uprightness, and turn abundance into sharing.
Frequently asked questions
What does Hexagram 5 (Xu) mean in the I Ching?
Water above heaven, clouds gathered but rain not yet fallen: the meaning of waiting. Taking food and drink as its image, the hexagram teaches that what life requires should be sought from heaven with sincerity and uprightness rather than seized by greed. To grasp and hoard only draws danger down upon oneself.
What is the judgment of Hexagram 5?
Xu. There is sincerity: radiant success, steadfast good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great water. Xu is need and waiting, and the needs of life, beginning with food and drink, stand for all that we require. The first requirement is sincerity, by which one moves heaven and earns the trust of others, and through it the light of human nature appears and life becomes open. Add steadfastness, a straight heart and good…
What do the six lines of Hexagram 5 say?
Line 1: Waiting in the outer fields: it is favorable to be constant. No blame. Line 2: Waiting on the sand: some words are spoken, but in the end good fortune. Line 3: Waiting in the mud: it draws robbers down upon him. Line 4: Waiting in blood: he comes out of the pit. Line 5: Waiting with wine and food: steadfast good fortune. Line 6: He enters the pit; three uninvited guests come. To treat them with respect brings good fortune in the end.
What is the main lesson of Hexagram 5 (Waiting)?
Life's needs come from heaven and not from seizure: wait with sincerity and uprightness, and turn abundance into sharing.
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