What is Hexagram 29, The Abysmal?
Hexagram 29, The Abysmal (坎 Kǎn), is built from Water (坎 Kǎn) over Water (坎 Kǎn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as danger, depth, sincerity. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 29 is built from Water (坎 Kǎn) over Water (坎 Kǎn).
- Its central themes, danger, depth, sincerity, flowing, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Black Tourmaline as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.
The Image
Water flows on and reaches the goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the superior person walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
Water upon water, danger doubled. The Abysmal is one of the most challenging hexagrams, reflecting a situation where danger surrounds you on multiple sides. But water teaches us something: it doesn't fight the abyss. It flows through it. The key to surviving this moment is sincerity, being honest with yourself about the danger while maintaining the inner confidence that you will emerge. Keep flowing.
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.”
Line 2
“The abyss is dangerous. One should strive to attain small things only.”
Line 3
“Forward and backward, abyss on abyss. In danger like this, pause at first and wait, otherwise you will fall into a pit in the abyss. Do not act in this way.”
Line 4
“A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it, earthen vessels simply handed in through the window. There is certainly no blame in this.”
Line 5
“The abyss is not filled to overflowing, it is filled only to the rim. No blame.”
Line 6 (top)
“Bound with cords and ropes, shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls: for three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 29
Black Tourmaline
Hold Black Tourmaline while meditating on The Abysmal. Its energy resonates with the themes of danger, depth, sincerity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 29 (The Abysmal) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 29, The Abysmal (坎 Kǎn), is read through Water (坎 Kǎn) over Water (坎 Kǎn). The classical sources describe its themes as danger, depth, sincerity. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for The Abysmal?
The Judgment reads: "The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for The Abysmal?
The Image reads: "Water flows on and reaches the goal: the image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus the superior person walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 29?
Black Tourmaline is the traditional pairing for The Abysmal. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 29 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
Occasional notes on BaZi and feng shui
Master Wei Lin writes when a new free tool ships or a chart pattern is worth explaining properly. No schedule, no spam, one reply removes you.
We respect your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.
Explore More Tools
I-Ching Online
Cast your own hexagram reading
Open →BaZi Calculator
Your Four Pillars chart (Master Wei Lin)
Open →Five Elements Quiz
Find your Wu Xing balance (Master Wei Lin)
Open →Feng Shui Bagua Mapper
Map your home's 8 sectors (Master Wei Lin)
Open →Chinese Zodiac Calculator
Year animal + element (Master Wei Lin)
Open →