Hexagram 2: The Receptive

䷁ 坤 Kūn – The Book of Changes

The Judgment

The Receptive is great and originating, penetrating, advantageous, correct and having the firmness of a mare. When the superior man has to make any movement, if he takes the initiative he will go astray; if he follows, he will find his proper lord. The advantage will be seen in his getting friends in the southwest and losing friends in the northeast. If he rests in correctness and firmness, there will be good fortune.

The Image

The capacity and sustaining power of the earth: the image of the Receptive. Thus the superior man, with his large virtue, supports men and things.

Description

The Receptive (Kun) is pure yin, the earth that receives, carries and nourishes. Where the Creative starts things, the Receptive gives them form and brings them to completion. Its strength lies in devotion, patience and the willingness to follow a good lead instead of forcing one's own.

The six lines

A line's place shapes its role: 1 the beginning, 2 the center of the inner world, 3 the threshold to the outside, 4 close to power, 5 the ruler's place, 6 the end and the excess. Keep this grid in mind and the line texts become much easier to read. More in the guide →

Line 1: Old Yin (bottom)

The hidden treasure. Do not act — wisdom lies deep, like a pearl in its shell; this is a time for inner gathering and trust in silence.
Line 2: Old Yin

The straight path. Favorable for service — acceptance opens the way to harmony; humility becomes strength when joined with clear intent.
Line 3: Old Yin

Hidden strength. Possible danger — suppressed value creates inner conflict; acknowledge your power even if it’s not yet visible.
Line 4: Old Yin

The sack is empty. No blame — clearing away excess makes space for the new; emptiness is not lack, but potential.
Line 5: Old Yin

The yellow skirt. Favorable — strength appears gently and confidently; mature femininity shines from within without seeking recognition.
Line 6: Old Yin (top)

Dragons fight. Blood — conflict between active and passive forces reaches a peak; the choice between destruction and integration becomes inevitable.

Reading by area of life

❤️ What does hexagram 2 mean for relationships and private life?

Support matters more than initiative right now. Listen closely, make room for your partner's growth, and let care show in small, practical ways. Receiving is a skill too: accept help and affection without keeping score. Problems arise only when yielding becomes self-erasure, so stay present and honest while you give. Trust grows quietly in this season, and it grows deep.

💼 What does hexagram 2 mean for work and money?

Cooperation beats self-assertion at this stage. Your value lies in taking the ideas of others, giving them structure and carrying them through to a stable result. Be the reliable person on the team, the one who finishes. If someone more experienced is leading, follow well and learn. Loyalty, consistency and attention to detail will be noticed, and they will pay off later.

🌌 What does hexagram 2 mean for your personal path and spirituality?

Practice openness. The earth does not choose what falls on it; it receives and transforms. Try to meet your life the same way: less control, more attention, more trust in the process. Quiet routines such as walking, gardening or simple meditation help. Strength found in receptivity is calm and durable, and it leaves space for healing and a wider view.

Nuclear hexagram

Lines 2, 3 and 4 form the lower trigram, lines 3, 4 and 5 the upper one. Leaving out the beginning and the end reveals the core of the situation, what is at work out of sight. It is a secondary aspect, not a second verdict. If it seems to contradict the main hexagram, that happens and is not an error. More in the guide →

Lines 2, 3, 4 and 3, 4, 5 form nuclear hexagram 2, The Receptive. It shows what is at work beneath the surface – an inner tendency, not a verdict on the situation itself.