Hexagram 20
风地观
Contemplation
Upper Trigram
☴
巽 (木)
Lower Trigram
☷
坤 (土)
Palace
乾 Palace
Shi / Ying Lines
Shi: Line 4 · Ying: Line 1
The 巽 trigram (木) sits above the 坤 trigram (土), forming 风地观. This hexagram belongs to the 乾 Palace.
Judgment (卦辞)
Contemplation. The ablution has been made, but not yet the offering.
Image (象辞)
The wind blows over the earth: the image of Contemplation.
Line Texts (爻辞)
Boylike contemplation. (童观)
Contemplation through the crack of the door. (窥观)
Contemplation of my life decides advance and retreat. (观我生)
Contemplation of the light of the kingdom. (观国之光)
Contemplation of my life. No blame. (观我生)
Contemplation of his life. No blame. (观其生)
In-Depth Analysis
Hexagram 20, Guan (Contemplation), is Wind over Earth - the wind sweeping across the land, observing everything. This is the hexagram of seeing clearly, of observation that precedes action. The judgment: the ablution has been made but not yet the offering - the preparation is complete; now one must look carefully before proceeding. The lines distinguish levels of contemplation: boylike contemplation (superficial), contemplation through a crack (limited), contemplation of oneself (decisive), contemplation of the kingdom (expansive). The hexagram teaches that true seeing requires stillness, distance, and the willingness to observe without immediate judgment.
Historical Stories
📜 Darwin's voyage on the Beagle: five years of pure observation before he began formulating his theory. His contemplation of nature from a distance changed humanity's understanding of itself.
📜 The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui: the master would spend days observing a landscape - the wind, the water, the light - before making a single recommendation. Contemplation precedes effective action.
Practical Applications
Career: Before making a major career move, spend time observing the landscape. Talk to people, research, watch patterns.
Relationships: In conflict, step back and observe before reacting. Most regrettable words are spoken in the heat of unobserved emotion.
Personal Growth: Meditation is Guan in practice - the discipline of observing your own mind without immediately acting on every thought.