Hexagram 20: Contemplation
觀Guàn
A long look before a move.
The passages below are historical language. Their references to fortune, danger, and the exemplary person belong to the text’s world. Our modern explanation is an invitation to reflect on your situation.
The Judgment
Classical Chinese
觀。 盥而不薦，有孚顒若。
Our English rendering
Contemplation. The hands have been washed, but the offering has not yet been presented. There is sincerity and a reverent bearing.
The Image
Classical Chinese
象曰：風行地上，觀。先王以省方觀民設教。
Our English rendering
Wind moves over the earth: Contemplation. The former kings therefore inspected the regions, observed the people, and established teaching.
Translation note: The washing is ritual preparation before an offering. The text describes the interval before its presentation, and its reverence has a religious setting.
A modern reading
The Judgment pauses between ritual washing and the presentation of an offering. Preparation has happened, and attention rests on the act still to come. Sincerity and reverence give that pause its character. A contemporary reflection can examine the moment before a consequential action becomes public: whether you understand what you are about to do, whether your intention is clear, and whether the way you proceed will express the care the situation calls for.
The Image's wind passes over the earth, and the former kings move through their regions to observe people before establishing teaching. Contemplation therefore includes contact with the people affected by a decision. In a present situation, an overview can improve when you visit the places where an arrangement is experienced. Looking at what people do, what they need, and how conditions differ can give your next action a more informed foundation.
A question to sit with
What could you observe among the people affected before you decide how to proceed?
Source and method
The Judgment and Image are classical passages from the Book of Changes. The English rendering and modern explanation are Meow Ching’s editorial work. This page covers these two passages; it does not translate the six individual line texts.
Read the classical text on Wikisource · Our sources and method