困Kun.Oppression.
Lake stands above Water, yet the reservoir is drained: resources narrow while inner danger remains. Kun concerns exhaustion, constraint and the integrity that survives when words lose influence and external support contracts.
Preserve the centre when resources and recognition contract.
Kun means oppression, exhaustion, confinement or being hemmed in. The condition is real, but the Judgment still speaks of success through correctness and the great person.
Words are not believed in this phase. Explanation has limited reach; conduct, endurance and right positioning carry more weight than persuasion.
Lake above. Water below.
Water has drained beneath the Lake. The visible container remains while accessible reserves diminish.
Constraint tests whether the centre depends on favourable conditions.
The governing proposition
困：亨，貞，大人吉，無咎，有言不信。
Oppression. Success through correctness. The great person has good fortune and no blame. Words are not believed.
Exhausted without losing oneself
困，剛掩也。險以說，困而不失其所，亨；其唯君子乎？
The firm is covered. Danger joins with openness. To be constrained without losing one’s proper place—only the cultivated person can do this.
Carry purpose through extremity
澤無水，困；君子以致命遂志。
A Lake without Water: Oppression. The cultivated person commits life itself to fulfilling purpose.
Six forms of constraint.
Oppressed beneath a bare treeEntering a dark valley for three years · Changes to 58 兌
初六：臀困于株木，入于幽谷，三歲不覿。
Passive withdrawal deepens the confinement. The position offers neither rest nor visibility.
小象傳 · 入于幽谷，幽不明也.Entering the dark valley means obscurity without clarity.
Oppressed amid food and drinkAuthority approaches; sacrifice is useful · Changes to 45 萃
九二：困于酒食，朱紱方來，利用享祀，征凶，無咎。
Material provision does not remove the deeper constraint. Wait sincerely for legitimate recognition; forcing action is harmful.
小象傳 · 困于酒食，中有慶也.The central position still contains cause for celebration.
Oppressed by rock and resting on thornsReturning home finds no partner · Changes to 28 大過
六三：困于石，據于蒺藜，入于其宮，不見其妻，凶。
The support chosen is itself injurious. Mispositioning outside leads to absence within.
小象傳 · 據于蒺藜，乘剛也；入于其宮，不見其妻，不祥也.Resting on thorns is inauspicious.
Coming slowly, constrained by a metal carriageRegret, yet there is an end · Changes to 29 坎
九四：來徐徐，困于金車，吝，有終。
Status and apparatus delay help. The position is imperfect, but genuine connection permits completion.
小象傳 · 來徐徐，志在下也；雖不當位，有與也.The intention reaches downward; companionship remains.
Nose and feet are cut; constrained by scarlet sashesRelease comes gradually · Changes to 40 解
九五：劓刖，困于赤紱，乃徐有說，利用祭祀。
Authority is trapped by the very symbols of office. Patient sincerity gradually restores freedom.
小象傳 · 劓刖，志未得也；乃徐有說，以中直也.Release comes through central uprightness.
Entangled in vines on an unstable heightRecognise regret; advancing brings good fortune · Changes to 06 訟
上六：困于葛藟，于臲卼，曰動悔。有悔，征吉。
The final prison is hesitation about movement. Acknowledging the pattern permits decisive departure.
小象傳 · 困于葛藟，未當也；動悔有悔，吉行也.Moving beyond regret opens the fortunate path.
Conserve resources, simplify speech and protect the principle that must survive.
Work and leadership
Under constraint, preserve critical capacity and let consistent conduct replace repeated explanation.
Relationships
Distinguish temporary depletion from structural harm; do not seek comfort from thorn-like support.
Timing and decisions
Avoid forced expansion. Wait for a real opening while preparing to move when entanglement loosens.
Kun is constructive when constraint clarifies what cannot be surrendered.
Aligned expression
- Resources are conserved.
- Integrity survives disbelief.
- Support is assessed honestly.
- Release is prepared patiently.
Distorted expression
- Exhaustion becomes identity.
- Words replace action.
- Harmful supports are defended.
- Fear prevents the final move.