Lu · Treading

Judgment

履虎尾，不咥人，亨。

One treads on the tail of a tiger, and it does not bite. Success.

The Chinese above is the received classical text. The English below it is a plain-language rendering written for this site — not a scholarly translation. The classical wording is terse and genuinely open to more than one reading, so where interpretations diverge we follow the mainstream one.

The Image (Da Xiang)

上天下泽，履，君子以辩上下，定民志。

上面是天，下面是泽，这是履卦，践行礼节、如履薄冰的卦象，君子应当明辨尊卑上下，安定心志。

The Six Lines

• First line素履，往无咎。初九 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Second line履道坦坦，幽人贞吉。九二 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Third line眇能视，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人为于大君。六三 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Fourth line履虎尾，愬愬终吉。九四 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Fifth line夬履，贞厉。九五 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.
• Top line视履考祥，其旋元吉。上九 — classical Chinese line text. Translations vary substantially between traditions; consult a scholarly edition for depth.

Modern Interpretive Reference

Quality: Neutral

Tendency: Careful conduct; treading where footing is uncertain.

Guidance: Proceed with courtesy and precision. Care converts danger into safe passage.

This section is editorial reflection written for this site, not classical commentary. Hexagram qualities are not fixed outcomes — context and response matter more than the label. For cultural reflection only; not a basis for any decision.