Hexagram 48: The Well

Written by Orbitarot · Sources: James Legge, The Yi King (The I Ching), 1882 (judgment and lines); plain readings our own · Updated October 7, 2026

Hexagram 48 in plain words

Water sits above wood. A wooden bucket goes down into the water and brings it up, the image of the well. Towns may move, but the well stays where it is. It neither shrinks nor overflows, and anyone may come to drink. Tradition warns that if the rope is too short or the bucket breaks just before it reaches the top, the effort is lost.

The well stands for what is constant in human life: basic needs, shared resources, and the deep source of wisdom each person carries. The commentary says the wise person encourages people at work and urges them to help one another. For you, the message is to tend your inner source and your shared foundations: skills, relationships, daily habits, the things that keep everyone going. Clean what has silted up, repair what leaks, and make sure the good water actually reaches people. Neglect leaves even a good well muddy. The lines move from a forgotten, dirty well to an open one giving freely, which shows the path: restore, protect, and finally share without holding back.

The judgment

(Looking at) Žing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram representing) wood and above it that for water form Žing. The superior man, in accordance with this, comforts the people, and stimulates them to mutual helpfulness.

From Legge's Appendix II (the Great Symbolism), The Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, 1882 (public domain).

In plain words: Water drawn up through wood: the well that serves the whole village. Encourage the people around you and help them support each other, so the shared source never runs dry.

The six lines

Read only the lines that changed in your reading. Lines are counted from the bottom.

Line 1 (bottom)

The first SIX, divided, shows a well so muddy that men will not drink of it; or an old well to which neither birds (nor other creatures) resort.

The well is full of mud and no one drinks; even animals stay away from an old well. Something neglected has lost its use; it needs cleaning before it can serve again.

Line 2

The second NINE, undivided, shows a well from which by a hole the water escapes and flows away to the shrimps (and such small creatures among the grass), or one the water of which leaks away from a broken basket.

Fish are shot at in the well hole, and the jug is cracked and leaking. Your gift is spent on small things or slips away through poor tools.

Line 3

The third NINE, undivided, shows a well, which has been cleared out, but is not used. Our hearts are sorry for this, for the water might be drawn out and used. If the king were (only) intelligent, both he and we might receive the benefit of it.

The well has been cleaned, yet no one drinks from it, and that is painful. The water is good; when the right person sees it, many can benefit.

Line 4

The fourth SIX, divided, shows a well, the lining of which is well laid. There will be no error.

The well is being lined with stone. It is a time to repair and strengthen yourself; there is no blame in pausing to do this.

Line 5

The fifth NINE, undivided, shows a clear, limpid well, (the waters from) whose cold spring are (freely) drunk.

The well has a clear, cool spring that people can drink from. What you offer is fresh and nourishing; let it be used.

Line 6 (top)

The topmost SIX, divided, shows (the water from) the well brought to the top, which is not allowed to be covered. This suggests the idea of sincerity. There will be great good fortune.

Water is drawn from the well freely, with no cover over it. It is reliable for everyone, and that brings supreme good fortune.

Related hexagrams

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 48 turns into:

Learn more: what the I Ching is, how to read changing lines, the eight trigrams, how to cast with coins or yarrow.

Hexagram 48 in love and relationships

In love, look after the deep source of the relationship: trust, daily care, honest conversation. Clear out old resentments and keep giving from what is genuinely good between you.

Hexagram 48 for work and decisions

At work, focus on fundamentals: skills, systems and relationships that keep everything running. Fix what is neglected, then make your knowledge available to others.

Questions