Hexagram 5: Waiting

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 5 in plain words

Water sits above heaven. Clouds have gathered in the sky, but the rain has not yet fallen. Heaven's strength below wants to move forward, while water above signals danger or delay. The strong lower trigram must hold back until the way is clear. Tradition stresses that this is not anxious or passive waiting. It is the waiting of someone who is sure of the goal and simply knows the hour has not struck.

In your situation, the best attitude is inner certainty combined with outer patience. Look at the facts plainly and do not tell yourself stories that make you rush. Take care of the basics, keep your routine, and stay ready. Nourishment is part of the image: the wise person eats and drinks and keeps good spirits while waiting for the rain. The closer you move toward the danger, the more trouble you invite, so stay where you have room. When the right moment comes, you will be rested and clear enough to cross the river. Sincere confidence in that outcome is what gives this waiting its strength.

The judgment

Hsü intimates that, with the sincerity which is declared in it, there will be brilliant success. With firmness there will be good fortune; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream.

Translation: James Legge, 1882 (public domain).

The image

(The trigram for) clouds ascending over that for the sky forms Hsü. The superior man, in accordance with this, eats and drinks, feasts and enjoys himself (as if there were nothing else to employ him).

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

In plain words: Clouds have gathered in the sky, but the rain will come in its own time. Rest, eat well, keep your spirits up, and do not wear yourself out pushing what is not ready.

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 waiting in the distant border. It will be well for him constantly to maintain (the purpose thus shown), in which case there will be no error.

You are waiting out in the open meadow, far from trouble. Keep your normal routine and do not wear yourself out with worry; there is no blame.

Line 2

The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject waiting on the sand (of the mountain stream). He will (suffer) the small (injury of) being spoken (against), but in the end there will be good fortune.

You wait on the sand, closer to the water. Some small talk or criticism may come your way, but staying calm brings a good end.

Line 3

The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject in the mud (close by the stream). He thereby invites the approach of injury.

You are waiting in the mud, too close to the danger. Your own impatience has drawn trouble near: be extra careful now.

Line 4

The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject waiting in (the place of) blood. But he will get out of the cavern.

You are waiting in the thick of the danger. Do not fight; keep still, stay composed, and find your way out of the pit.

Line 5

The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject waiting amidst the appliances of a feast. Through his firmness and correctness there will be good fortune.

You wait with food and wine in a calm moment within the difficulty. Enjoy the rest and stay steady; good fortune comes.

Line 6 (top)

The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject entered into the cavern. (But) there are three guests coming, without being urged, (to his help). If he receive them respectfully, there will be good fortune in the end.

You fall into the pit, and three unexpected guests arrive. Receive them with respect, even if they were not invited; help may come in a form you did not plan.

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 5 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 5 in love and relationships

In love, this hexagram counsels patience. Something may be developing, but forcing a talk or a decision now would not help; stay warm and let the right moment come.

Hexagram 5 for work and decisions

For work or a decision, the timing is not quite right yet. Use the waiting period to prepare and gather information, and act once the path is clearly open.

Questions