I Ching Oracle / Hexagrams / 10
The Judgement
Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite. Success.
Walking a risky path safely by observing propriety.
The Image
Heaven above, the lake below; the noble one discriminates between high and low, and thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.
This hexagram on ten matters
- WorkCAREER
- Treading on the tiger's tail: the situation carries risk but steady footing keeps you safe. What matters is knowing your position and its limits.
- LoveRELATIONSHIP
- A gap in status or circumstance needs handling. Simple conduct, no blame — plain honesty is safer than accommodation.
- MoneyFINANCE
- You are operating inside someone else's rules. Resolute conduct, danger — even when you are right, do not press to the end; leaving the other party an exit leaves yourself one.
- HealthBODY
- This hexagram is about careful footing. The one-eyed man sees, the lame man treads — pushing past your physical limits is the explicit warning here.
- StudyLEARNING
- Learning in a strict environment. Following the rules costs you nothing; shortcuts here map directly onto misfortune.
- An examEXAM
- Keep the exam rules. Do not lose marks to a small violation or carelessness; tread carefully and you pass.
- PeopleSOCIAL
- Dealing with people who have more power than you. Caution and circumspection lead to good fortune; casualness is what is dangerous.
- A choiceDECISION
- Possible, but every step must be proportionate. Weigh the chain of consequences before deciding.
- TravelJOURNEY
- Feasible, but keep to rules and process. This hexagram does not forgive chancing it.
- A lost itemLOST ITEM
- Retrace your route. Look to your conduct: walk the path again step by step; it is likely somewhere along the way.
The Six Lines
Simple conduct. Progress without blame.
Simple conduct; no blame. Walk plainly. No ornament, no attachment — the safety here comes from not drawing attention.
Treading a smooth, level course. The perseverance of a dark man brings good fortune.
Treading a smooth, level course; the perseverance of a dark man. The road is flat. The quiet person walks it most steadily; no need to push forward.
A one-eyed man is able to see, a lame man is able to tread. He treads on the tail of the tiger. The tiger bites him. Misfortune.
A one-eyed man sees, a lame man treads. Overestimating yourself is the only misfortune in this line. Pressing on under-equipped, the tiger bites.
He treads on the tail of the tiger. Caution and circumspection lead ultimately to good fortune.
He treads on the tiger's tail; caution and circumspection lead to good fortune. Same tail, no harm — the difference is only that he knows to be afraid.
Resolute conduct. Perseverance with awareness of danger.
Resolute conduct; perseverance with awareness of danger. Too decisive. Even when right, do not press to the end.
Look to your conduct and weigh the favorable signs. When everything is fulfilled, supreme good fortune comes.
Look to your conduct and weigh the signs. The best line in the hexagram, and it is good precisely because it reviews.
The governing line
Nuclear · Opposite · Reverse
The nuclear hexagram shows the middle stretch of the matter; the opposite is the same situation seen from the reverse position; the reverse is the view from the other party's side.