䷑
Hexagram #18
䷑ 蛊 · Work on the Decayed
Gǔ
Contents
卦象组成 · Trigram Composition
Upper Trigram (上卦)
☶
艮
Mountain / Keeping Still
Lower Trigram (下卦)
☴
巽
Wind / The Gentle
卦辞 · Judgement
元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
Work on what has been spoiled has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days.
《周易》— Zhouyi / Book of Changes
Source Tier / 来源层级
- Tier:
- Classical Text
- Registry ID:
- zhouyi-ctext
- Scope:
- Hexagram judgments and line statements are labeled as classical Zhouyi text.
- Reference:
- https://ctext.org/book-of-changes/zh
象辞 · Image
山下有风，蛊；君子以振民育德。
The wind blows low on the mountain: The image of Decay. Thus the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
现代释义 · Modern Interpretation
上卦艮（山），下卦巽（风/木）。此卦强调止与入的配合，提示在变化中找到稳固的立场。古辞曰「元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。」，可理解为在承载与稳定时仍需避免停滞。
Dao Oracle 解读边界— Dao Oracle Interpretation Policy
Source Tier / 来源层级
- Tier:
- Dao Oracle Interpretation
- Registry ID:
- dao-oracle-interpretation-policy
- Scope:
- Modern guidance is Dao Oracle reflective interpretation, not a direct classical quotation or professional advice.
应用场景 · Application Scenarios
事业与决策
适合评估当前策略是否兼顾止与入，在推进与稳固之间取得平衡。
关系与合作
提醒在合作中保持入的基础，并用止的方式推进共识。
身心与节奏
适用于调整节奏与情绪管理：承载与稳定时，记得避免停滞。
爻辞 · Line Texts
初六
(Initial Six)干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. If there is a son, no blame rests upon the departed father. Danger. In the end good fortune.
小象: 干父之蛊，意承考也。
九二
(Nine in Second)干母之蛊，不可贞。
Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.
小象: 干母之蛊，得中道也。
九三
(Nine in Third)干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be a little remorse. No great blame.
小象: 干父之蛊，终无咎也。
六四
(Six in Fourth)裕父之蛊，往见吝。
Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing one sees humiliation.
小象: 裕父之蛊，往未得也。
六五
(Six in Fifth)干父之蛊，用誉。
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.
小象: 干父用誉，承以德也。
上九
(Nine at Top)不事王侯，高尚其事。
He does not serve kings and princes, sets himself higher goals.
小象: 不事王侯，志可则也。
变卦关系 · Changing Lines
When a line changes, this hexagram transforms into a new one. Click to see the detailed changing line interpretation:
Try a reading with 蛊 (Work on the Decayed)
Experience this hexagram through an interactive I Ching divination session.
Start a Reading实用指导 · Practical Guidance
蛊卦象征腐败与整治，山下有风，风被山阻而停滞，器物久置不动则生虫——蛊之义也。卦辞"元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日"表明整顿虽然艰难但终将亨通，关键是行动前三天深思熟虑、行动后三天审查完善。象辞"君子以振民育德"揭示蛊的积极面——腐朽恰恰提供了革新的契机，正如朽木可以培育新生。初六"干父之蛊"和九二"干母之蛊"表明修复前人遗留问题需要不同的策略——对待父辈的错误需刚正果断，对待母辈的失误则需柔和渐进。蛊不是灾祸，而是清除积弊、重新开始的珍贵机会。
Work on What Has Been Spoiled represents decay, corruption, and the imperative of reform. Wind trapped beneath the mountain stagnates; a vessel left unattended breeds worms — this is the meaning of Gu. The judgment "Supreme success; it furthers to cross the great water; three days before the beginning, three days after" indicates that while remediation is arduous, it ultimately leads to success. The crucial discipline is deliberating for three days before acting and reviewing for three days after. The Image "the superior man stirs up the people and nourishes their virtue" reveals the positive dimension: decay provides the very opportunity for renewal, like decomposing matter nurturing new growth. The first line "setting right what the father has spoiled" and the second "setting right what the mother has spoiled" show that correcting inherited problems requires different approaches — confronting paternal errors demands firmness, while addressing maternal failings requires gentleness. Gu is not catastrophe but the precious chance to purge accumulated dysfunction and begin anew.
场景解读 · Scenario Interpretations
感情姻缘
Love & Relationships感情方面，蛊卦揭示关系中积累的问题需要正视和修复。长期忽视的矛盾、沟通障碍或信任裂痕正在腐蚀感情基础。"先甲三日"提醒不要冲动行事——先反思问题的根源，然后有计划地修复。即使关系已经出现严重问题，蛊卦的"元亨"表明只要愿意面对和修复，感情是可以挽回的。
In love, this hexagram reveals accumulated problems that must be faced and repaired. Long-ignored conflicts, communication barriers, or trust fractures are corroding the relationship's foundation. "Three days before acting" counsels against impulsive moves — first reflect on root causes, then repair systematically. Even if serious damage has occurred, the judgment "supreme success" promises that willing confrontation and repair can save the relationship.
事业发展
Career事业方面，蛊卦指出工作中存在需要整顿的积弊——可能是低效的流程、过时的制度、有毒的团队文化或遗留的管理问题。这正是你展现改革能力的机会。"利涉大川"鼓励勇于承担困难的整顿工作。关键在于"先甲三日"——彻底调研问题后再动手改革，并在改革后持续跟进效果。
Career-wise, this hexagram points to accumulated dysfunction needing remediation — inefficient processes, outdated systems, toxic team culture, or inherited management problems. This is your opportunity to demonstrate reform capability. "It furthers to cross the great water" encourages taking on difficult cleanup work. The key is "three days before" — thoroughly investigate problems before initiating reform, and continue monitoring results afterward.
财运
Wealth钱财议题中，蛊卦可作为旧账、积弊和修复流程的象义参考。它适合用来整理资源、节奏和风险感，不构成投资建议，也不判断收益。
For money questions, Work on What Has Been Spoiled can be read as a symbol of old accounts, accumulated problems, and repair work. Use it to reflect on resources, timing, and risk awareness; it is not financial advice or an outcome forecast.
健康
Health健康相关问题中，蛊卦可作为长期习惯问题和渐进修正的反思线索。它适合用来观察作息、压力和自我照护，不构成医疗建议，也不判断病程。
For health-related reflection, Work on What Has Been Spoiled can be read as a symbol of long-standing habits and gradual correction. Use it to notice routines, stress, and self-care; it is not medical advice or diagnosis.
常见问题 · FAQ
蛊卦是凶卦吗？
Is the Work on What Has Been Spoiled hexagram unfavorable?
蛊卦虽然揭示腐败和问题，但本质上不是凶卦。卦辞明确说"元亨"——至为亨通，说明整顿后结果是积极的。蛊提供的是改革的机遇而非灾难的预兆。关键在于行动：敢于面对问题、勇于改革的人反而能从蛊中获得新生。逃避问题才是真正的凶。
Though it reveals corruption and problems, this hexagram is not inherently unfavorable. The judgment explicitly says "supreme success," indicating positive outcomes after remediation. It offers the opportunity for reform, not an omen of disaster. The key lies in action: those who dare to face problems and boldly reform can achieve renewal through Gu. Avoiding the problems — that is the real misfortune.
"先甲三日，后甲三日"是什么意思？
What does "three days before the beginning, three days after" mean?
"先甲三日，后甲三日"中的"甲"代表新的开始（天干之首）。意思是在推行改革之前要用三天时间深思熟虑、调查研究（辛、壬、癸），改革之后也要用三天时间审查效果、持续完善（乙、丙、丁）。这是《周易》对计划和执行的精辟指导——准备充分再行动，行动之后要复盘。
"Three days before the beginning, three days after" uses "jia" (the first Heavenly Stem) to represent a new start. It means spending three days in careful deliberation and investigation before initiating reform, and three days reviewing results and refining after implementation. This is the I Ching's brilliant guidance on planning and execution — prepare thoroughly before acting, and always review afterward.
蛊卦对家庭关系有什么启示？
What does hexagram 18 teach about family relationships?
蛊卦的多个爻辞直接涉及家庭——"干父之蛊""干母之蛊"表明修复家族中代际传递的问题。初六以刚正方式纠正父辈的偏差，九二以温和方式处理母辈的失误。这教导我们：面对家庭中上一代留下的问题（无论是物质还是精神层面），既要有担当又要讲策略，刚柔并济才能真正修复家庭关系。
Multiple lines directly address family: "setting right the father's decay" and "setting right the mother's decay" speak to repairing intergenerational family dysfunction. The first line corrects paternal errors with firm resolve; the second addresses maternal failings with gentle flexibility. This teaches us that facing inherited family problems — whether material or emotional — requires both courage and strategy. Only by combining firmness with gentleness can family relationships be truly restored.
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