履

Hexagram 10 · 履

Upper trigram: 乾 · Lower trigram: 兌

Lu (Treading): the hexagram of careful conduct. Recognize your position, respect boundaries, and move with measured confidence.

The image

Heaven stands above the lake, with strength above and openness below. The two natural images remain distinct while responding to each other. Lu means treading, the way one places each step. Its tiger image presents careful conduct in a situation where confidence needs respect for limits.

Judgment

履虎尾，不咥人，亨。

Treading on the tiger's tail, yet it does not bite the person. Flourishing.

The commentary joins yielding responsiveness with firm strength. A junior employee raising a difficult issue with a director often needs both a clear purpose and tactful delivery.

Great Image

上天下澤，履；君子以辨上下，定民志。

Heaven above and the lake below: Treading. The exemplary person accordingly distinguishes higher and lower positions and settles the people's purposes.

Clear responsibilities can reduce needless friction between people. In a shared workshop, knowing who approves purchases and who maintains equipment helps everyone act confidently.

Line texts

Line 1 · 初九
素履，往无咎。
Plain treading. Going forward brings no blame.
Nine in the first place is yang beginning without ornament or pretension. The Small Image values following one's own purpose, like a beginner doing straightforward work without borrowing a grand title.
Line 2 · 九二
履道坦坦，幽人貞吉。
Treading a broad, level path. The secluded person's constancy brings good fortune.
Nine in the second place has central yang composure. The Small Image says its center is not disturbed, like a researcher keeping sound methods despite competition for attention.
Line 3 · 六三
眇能視，跛能履，履虎尾，咥人，凶。武人為于大君。
One with impaired sight tries to see; one with a lame leg tries to walk. Treading on the tiger's tail, the person is bitten. Misfortune. A warrior acts as the great ruler.
Six in the third place is yin out of position with an excessively forceful purpose. The Small Image questions adequacy for the task, like accepting authority before acquiring the necessary knowledge.
Line 4 · 九四
履虎尾，愬愬終吉。
Treading on the tiger's tail, fearful and cautious. Good fortune in the end.
Nine in the fourth place brings yang strength close to the ruler's position. The Small Image permits its purpose to proceed, like carefully checking permissions before changing a sensitive shared system.
Line 5 · 九五
夬履，貞厲。
Decisive treading. Even constancy carries danger.
Nine in the fifth place is central and correctly placed yang, with real decision-making power. The Small Image acknowledges that position, reminding a manager that justified authority still needs caution.
Line 6 · 上九
視履考祥，其旋元吉。
Look at the path trodden and examine its favorable and unfavorable signs. At its completion, great good fortune.
Nine at the top is yang looking back over a completed course. The Small Image sees cause for celebration, like reviewing both results and conduct after finishing a demanding assignment.

When asking about

Career

Sensitive responsibilities often call for tact and preparation. Understand the decision process before taking an ambitious step.

Love

Respectful conduct tends to support trust. Discuss boundaries without assuming affection removes the need for consent.

Money

Confidence benefits from knowing the terms. Check obligations carefully before accepting a consequential commitment.

Home

Clear roles can make shared living easier. Treat differences in responsibility with courtesy rather than superiority.

Study

Work at a level that stretches existing ability reasonably. Review your methods as well as your marks.

Health

A measured routine can make demanding days more manageable. See a doctor for any health concern.

Advice

Know where you stand before taking the next step. Combine plain purpose with tact, and review the effects of your conduct.

Related hexagrams

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Reference content based on the I Ching classic, not a prediction.