48䷯井 The Well Jǐng

☵水🌊 Water
☴風🍃 Wind

木上有水,井; 君子以勞民勸相。

Water over wood: The Well. Superior people encourage others at their work. They encourage others to help one another.

井:改邑不改井, 无喪无得,往來井井。 汔至,亦未繘井, 羸其瓶,凶。

The Well: A town may be changed, but not the well. Neither decrease nor increase. They come & go & draw from the well. If one gets down almost to the water & the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune.

Line 6

井收勿幕, 有孚元吉。

The well is clean, without a cover. There is confidence that water can be drawn. Great good fortune.

Line 5

井冽,寒泉食。

In the well there is a clear, cold spring from which one can drink.

Line 4

井甃,无咎。

The well is being rebuilt. No blame.

Line 3

井渫不食, 為我心惻,可用汲, 王明,並受其福。

The well is cleaned, but no one drinks. My heart aches, for one might draw from it. If the ruler is clear-minded, good fortune is enjoyed in common.

Line 2

井谷射鮒, 瓮敝漏。

At the well’s opening, one shoots fish. The jug is old & leaks.

Line 1

井泥不食, 舊井无禽。

Muddy water at the bottom of the well is undrinkable; an old well attracts no animals.