Hexagram 10: Treading
履 Lǚ · Heaven over Lake
You are stepping close to something powerful, like walking right behind a tiger. This hexagram says you can get through safely if your conduct is careful, good-humored, and correct. Know your place, respect the stronger forces around you, and move with tact. Good manners and clear awareness of the risk keep you from being bitten.
| Number (King Wen order) | 10 |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 履 (Lǚ) |
| Upper trigram | ☰ Heaven (Qián): strong, creative |
| Lower trigram | ☱ Lake (Duì): joyful, open |
| Unicode symbol | ䷉ |
On this page (9)
Hexagram 10 in plain words
Heaven sits above the lake. Heaven is high and the lake is low, and the difference between them is natural and clear. The lake below is cheerful and soft, yet it moves just behind the strong force above. Tradition captures this with the image of treading on the tail of a tiger without being bitten: the weak dealing with the strong, and doing so successfully through good conduct.
In your situation, there is a clear difference of rank, power, or position between you and someone or something else. That is not a problem in itself. The question is how you carry yourself. Treading means conduct, the way you walk through the world. If you are respectful without being servile, light without being careless, and honest about the risks, you can pass where others would fail. Clarify what is high and what is low, who decides what, and act accordingly. Arrogance or pretending to more strength than you have invites trouble. Simple, sincere, careful steps, taken with awareness of the danger, are exactly what bring success here.
The judgment
(Lî suggests the idea of) one treading on the tail of a tiger, which does not bite him. There will be progress and success.
Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).
The image
(The trigram representing) the sky above, and below it (that representing the waters of) a marsh, form Lî. The superior man, in accordance with this, discriminates between high and low, and gives settlement to the aims of the people.
From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).
In plain words: Heaven is above and the lake is below, each in its rightful place. Know where you stand, respect the order of things, and help others feel settled in their aims.
The six lines
Read only the lines that changed in your reading. Lines are counted from the bottom.
Line 1 (bottom)
The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading his accustomed path. If he go forward, there will be no error.
You move forward with simple, honest conduct. Stay plain and true to yourself, and there is no blame.
Line 2
The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading the path that is level and easy; a quiet and solitary man, to whom, if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune.
You walk a smooth, level path, quiet and apart from the crowd. Staying independent and calm brings good fortune.
Line 3
The third SIX, divided, shows a one-eyed man (who thinks he) can see; a lame man (who thinks he) can walk well; one who treads on the tail of a tiger and is bitten. (All this indicates) ill fortune. We have a (mere) bravo acting the part of a great ruler.
Thinking you can see well with one eye or walk well with a limp, you step on the tiger's tail and are bitten. Overrating yourself is dangerous: know your limits.
Line 4
The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject treading on the tail of a tiger. He becomes full of apprehensive caution, and in the end there will be good fortune.
You step on the tiger's tail, but with great care. Caution and respect bring a good outcome in the end.
Line 5
The fifth NINE, undivided, shows the resolute tread of its subject. Though he be firm and correct, there will be peril.
You walk with firm resolve. Determination is right, but stay aware of the danger it carries.
Line 6 (top)
The sixth NINE, undivided, tells us to look at (the whole course) that is trodden, and examine the presage which that gives. If it be complete and without failure, there will be great good fortune.
Look back at how you have walked and judge it by its results. If your conduct has been sound throughout, great good fortune.
Related hexagrams
| Opposite (every line changed) | 15. Modesty |
|---|---|
| Inverse (turned upside down) | 9. Small Taming |
| Nuclear (lines 2 to 5) | 37. The Family |
All three relations have traditional Chinese names (cuo gua for the opposite, zong gua for the inverse, hu gua for the nuclear). Many modern readers use the opposite as the shadow side of a situation, the inverse as the same moment seen from the other side, and the nuclear hexagram as its inner core.
If one line changes
With a single changing line, hexagram 10 turns into:
| Line 1 changes | Hexagram 6, Conflict |
|---|---|
| Line 2 changes | Hexagram 25, Innocence |
| Line 3 changes | Hexagram 1, Creative Force |
| Line 4 changes | Hexagram 61, Inner Truth |
| Line 5 changes | Hexagram 38, Opposition |
| Line 6 changes | Hexagram 58, Lake (Joy) |
Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.
Hexagram 10 in love and relationships
In love, this hexagram calls for tact and respect, especially if there is an imbalance of power or feeling. Be gentle, honest, and mindful of the other person's boundaries.
Hexagram 10 for work and decisions
At work, you may be dealing with a demanding boss, client, or situation. Be polite, prepared, and clear about your role; careful conduct gets you through where boldness would not.
Questions
What does hexagram 10 mean?
You are stepping close to something powerful, like walking right behind a tiger. This hexagram says you can get through safely if your conduct is careful, good-humored, and correct. Know your place, respect the stronger forces around you, and move with tact. Good manners and clear awareness of the risk keep you from being bitten.
What does hexagram 10 mean in love?
In love, this hexagram calls for tact and respect, especially if there is an imbalance of power or feeling. Be gentle, honest, and mindful of the other person's boundaries.
What does hexagram 10 mean for work?
At work, you may be dealing with a demanding boss, client, or situation. Be polite, prepared, and clear about your role; careful conduct gets you through where boldness would not.
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