I Ching Hexagram 3 - Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning

• Above K'an the abysmal, Water
•  
• Below Chen the Arousing, Thunder

Introduction

The name of the hexagram, Chun, really connotes a blade of grass pushing against an obstacle as it sprouts out of the earth--hence the meaning, "difficulty at the beginning." The hexagram indicates the way in which heaven and earth bring forth individual beings. It is their first meeting, which is beset with difficulties. The lower trigram Chen is the Arousing; its motion is upward and its image is thunder. The upper trigram K'an stands for the Abysmal, the dangerous. Its motion is downward and its image is rain. The situation points to teeming, chaotic profusion; thunder and rain fill the air. But the chaos clears up. While the Abysmal sinks, the upward movement eventually passes beyond the danger. A thunderstorm brings release from tension, and all things breathe freely again.

See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.

Judgement

Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success, Furthering through perseverance. Nothing should be undertaken. It furthers one to appoint helpers.

Judgement Commentary

Times of growth are beset with difficulties. They resemble a first birth. But these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to attain form . Everything is in motion: therefore if one perseveres there is a prospect of great success, in spite of the existing danger. When it is a man's fate to undertake such new beginnings, everything is still unformed, dark. Hence he must hold back, because any premature move might bring disaster. Likewise, it is very important not to remain alone; in order to overcome the chaos he needs helpers. This is not to say, however, that he himself should look on passively at what is happening. He must lend his hand and participate with inspiration and guidance.

The Image

Clouds and thunder: The image of Difficulty at the Beginning. Thus the superior man Brings order out of confusion.

Image Commentary

Clouds and thunder are represented by definite decorative lines; this means that in the chaos of difficulty at the beginning, order is already implicit. So too the superior man has to arrange and organize the inchoate profusion of such times of beginning, just as one sorts out silk threads from a knotted tangle and binds them into skeins. In order to find one's place in the infinity of being, one must be able both to separate and to unite.

The Lines

Nine at the beginning means: Hesitation and hindrance. It furthers one to remain persevering. It furthers one to appoint helpers.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 8 - Pi / Holding Together (union) so the ultimate outcome of this changing line is union and the conditions necessary for it to occur successfully. The line above shows that there will be difficulty in achieving the goal due to the weakness of our position. Legge states that although the questioner is capable of achieving their goal this will only be achieved in cooperation with others and the exercise of caution.

Six in the second place means: Difficulties pile up. Horse and wagon part. He is not a robber; He wants to woo when the time comes. The maiden is chaste, She does not pledge herself. Ten years--then she pledges herself.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 60 - Chieh / Limitation. Although this line suggests same eventual,long delayed success, the resultant hexagram of Chieh / Limitation is not a good augury to receive. "If a man should seek to impose galling limitations upon his own nature, it would be injurious. And if he should go too far in imposing limitations on others, they would rebel." Legge is equally pessimistic and suggests only after 10 years will there be any sign of success.

Six in the third place means: Whoever hunts deer without the forester Only loses his way in the forest. The superior man understands the signs of the time And prefers to desist. To go on brings humiliation.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 63 - Chi Chi / After Completion which does indicate some level of success, if only in small matters with possible failure at the end "any movement may cause order to revert to disorder." Wilhelm indicates that proceeding with ones plans without the correct advice or map is futile. Legge states the superior man "...thinks it better to give up the chase. If he went forward, he would regret it." So whilst there is some possibility of success here, that success may actually be avoiding the entanglements mentioned.

Six in the fourth place means: Horse and wagon part. Strive for union. To go brings good fortune. Everything acts to further.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 17 - Sui / Following which has supreme success. The line indicates that swallowing ones pride and accepting help will result in a very good outcome. Legge is equally clear that this line means, if one finds oneself in a difficult situation, accepting or even seeking out help from a stronger party will "...turn out advantageously."

Nine in the fifth place means: Difficulties in blessing. A little perseverance brings good fortune. Great perseverance brings misfortune.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 24 - Fu / Return (The Turning Point) which indicates a return to good conditions, such as spring after winter. This line is experiencing problems doing as it is expected to and can only hope to perform small things. There is a danger of not living up to expectations and one should not go overboard trying to do so. Legge puts it thus "...shows the difficulties in the way of its subject's dispensing the rich favours that might be expected from him". Not withstanding this, the resultant hexagram 24 is a positive one and shows that a positive outcome is to be expected.

Six at the top means: Horse and wagon part. Bloody tears flow.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 42 - I / Increase. The resultant hexagram might sound good but the bad can increase just as easily as the good. Wilhelm and Legge both agree that this line is a negative one and Legge puts it well "the extremity of peril; the game is up. What can remain for its subject in such a case but terror and abject weeping?".

See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 3 - Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning translation of this hexagram.