Hexagram 28, Line 6

The Line Text

Interpretation

This top line represents the climax of the crisis depicted in Hexagram 28. The pressure has become absolute, and the situation is untenable. The image is one of desperate, self-sacrificing action: a person wades into a flooding river, determined to cross, but the water is too deep and submerges them completely. The outcome is "misfortune" (凶) – the attempt fails, and the person is overwhelmed. However, the judgment is also "no blame" (无咎). This crucial distinction is the heart of the line's meaning. The action was not born of foolishness or greed, but of a noble, albeit desperate, intention. It was an attempt to save the situation, help others, or uphold a principle, even when the odds were impossible. The failure is due to the overwhelming external circumstances, not a flaw in character. This is the heroic failure, the noble sacrifice where one goes down for a cause greater than oneself. The integrity of the act transcends the negative outcome.

Guidance for Action

You are facing a situation of overwhelming pressure where a positive outcome seems impossible through conventional means. This line advises that the time for careful maneuvering is over. A bold, decisive, and potentially self-sacrificial act is called for. You must act from a place of pure intention and selflessness, without regard for your own gain or safety. Be prepared for the effort to result in a personal loss or "failure." However, if your motives are to serve a greater good or to save others, you will incur no blame. Your honor and integrity will remain intact, and your actions will be respected, even in failure. Do not act recklessly, but if you must act, let it be a conscious sacrifice for a worthy cause. The key is to let go of the outcome and focus on the purity of your intent.

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line points to a moment of ultimate sacrifice. The partnership may be facing an insurmountable challenge. You might feel compelled to let your partner go, not out of anger or selfishness, but for their own happiness and well-being, even if it breaks your own heart. This is the "misfortune" of the relationship ending. The "no blame" comes from the purity of your motive: you are acting out of deep love. Alternatively, it could mean sacrificing your own needs completely to support your partner through an overwhelming crisis. The relationship as you knew it might be "submerged," but your selfless dedication is a profound act of love that transcends blame.

For Career & Business

This line indicates a crisis point in your career or business. You may be in a position where you must take a stand for your principles, even if it means losing your job or your company failing. This could be whistleblowing, refusing to compromise on ethics, or taking full responsibility for a team's failure to protect your subordinates. The result is "misfortune"—you lose your position or the business folds. Yet, there is "no blame" because you acted with integrity. You chose to "go down with the ship" rather than compromise your values. While a difficult path, it preserves your honor and reputation in the long run. It is a warning against trying to save a failing enterprise with a final, desperate gamble; it's better to accept the loss with dignity.

For Financial Matters

This line is a stark warning against making a final, desperate move to save a terrible financial situation. Do not throw your last resources into a failing investment, hoping for a miracle; the "flood" will simply overwhelm you. The "misfortune" is the financial loss, which now appears inevitable. The "no blame" aspect comes from accepting this loss with integrity. It means facing bankruptcy honestly, paying what debts you can, and not trying to deceive others. It can also represent a situation where you must sacrifice your own financial security to help someone else in a dire emergency (e.g., covering a family member's massive medical bills). The financial hit is severe, but the act is selfless and therefore without fault.