Hexagram 16, Line 5

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line describes a paradoxical and challenging situation. The fifth position is that of the ruler or leader. However, in this hexagram, it is a weak Yin line, while the true source of power and enthusiastic energy is the strong Yang line below it in the fourth position. This creates a state of "constant affliction" (貞疾). The person in this position feels perpetual pressure, stress, or constraint. They are in a position of authority but are dependent on or overshadowed by a powerful force (a subordinate, a circumstance, a partner) that they cannot fully control. This is what the commentary means by "riding on a strong line"—it is an unstable and uncomfortable placement for a weak line. Despite this chronic ailment, the line promises survival: "one endures and does not perish" (恆不死). The reason for this resilience is the line's "central position" in the upper trigram (Thunder). This centrality provides a core of balance, stability, and inner integrity. While the external situation is a constant source of stress, the individual possesses an inner strength or occupies a fundamentally sound position that prevents a total collapse. The enthusiasm of the hexagram is thus experienced as a burden rather than a joy. The challenge is to endure and manage a difficult, ongoing situation without succumbing to it, drawing strength from one's own centeredness.

Guidance for Action

You find yourself in a situation of persistent difficulty and pressure. This is not an acute crisis that will soon pass, but a chronic condition you must learn to live with. You may feel overshadowed, constrained by circumstances, or dependent on a powerful force you don't fully control. Trying to radically change or fight this dynamic head-on will likely lead to exhaustion. Instead, the wisdom of this line lies in endurance and management. Acknowledge the reality of the pressure without letting it define you. The key to your survival and well-being is to connect with your "central position"—your core principles, your inner balance, and your fundamental purpose. Do not look for an external cure. Reinforce your inner stability through practices like mindfulness, self-care, and focusing on what you *can* control. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Your strength lies not in overcoming the affliction, but in not letting it destroy your core self.

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line points to a chronic, unresolved issue that creates constant tension or sadness. There may be a fundamental power imbalance, where one partner's strong personality or needs consistently overwhelm the other. The relationship itself is not in immediate danger of ending—there is enough love, history, or shared life ("centrality") to hold it together. However, the "affliction" is a persistent source of unhappiness for you. It's the recurring argument that is never solved, the emotional dependency that feels draining, or the feeling of being overshadowed. The guidance is not to expect a magical resolution, but to find ways to manage the dynamic. This requires strengthening your own sense of self and independence within the relationship, so the chronic issue doesn't erode your personal well-being.

For Career & Business

This line describes being in a leadership or senior position where you feel constant pressure and a lack of full control. You might be a manager who is heavily reliant on a brilliant but difficult subordinate (the strong line 4), or a CEO navigating a market you can't dictate. The enthusiasm and success of the enterprise may be happening, but you bear the stressful burden of keeping it all together. You feel the "sickness" of this pressure daily. However, your position is fundamentally secure, and the project or company is not failing ("does not perish"). The advice is to accept the stressful nature of the role. Focus on strategic management and maintaining your composure ("centrality") rather than getting into power struggles. Conserve your energy, delegate wisely, and lead through stability and endurance.

For Financial Matters

This line suggests a financial situation that is a source of chronic worry. Perhaps you have a significant amount of debt that you are managing, an income that is precarious, or investments that require constant, stressful attention. The good news is that you are not on the verge of bankruptcy or ruin ("does not perish"). You have enough resources or a stable enough core financial situation to keep afloat. The "sickness" is the constant mental and emotional strain of this financial pressure. The path forward is not through a risky, high-reward scheme to fix everything at once. Rather, it is through diligent, persistent, and stable management of your finances. Stick to a budget, steadily address debt, and avoid letting the anxiety push you into rash decisions. Your security comes from your own disciplined and centered approach.