Water above – Fire below
The Chinese name of this hexagram is Ji Ji. The first Ji translates to already, at last, entirely and the second Ji means complete, across, done. This is the 63rd of the 64 hexagrams. According to ancient diviners, the positions of the solid and broken placement within the 6 lines of the hexagram holds importance. The lines start with 1 at the bottom, moving to 6 at the top. The odd (masculine) numbers of 1, 3, 5 represent their highest functionality when occupied by a solid (yang) line. The even (feminine) numbers, 2, 4, 6 are best when occupied by a broken (yin) line. Already Complete is the only hexagram this perfect order occurs in. The irony is Ji Ji signals completion occurring before the end of the 64 hexagrams. Even at a moment of perfection, it is immediately time to plan repairs, maintenance and new endeavors because completion is dynamic and fleeting. Other titles for this hexagram are: Already Across, After Completion, Already Fulfilled.
Breaking down the symbolism of the 3-line trigrams helps with understanding the ancient teachings:
When trigram Fire is below (the bottom 3 lines in image below right), it references the inner realm of the person or situation. With Fire as the inner trigram, internal intelligence has clarity (light) which brings the ability achieve good order within one’s life or situation. But Fire also offers the insight that, as with all of nature, there is always both creative and destructive forces contained within it. One’s mind can only remain healthy when confusion and turmoil alternate with renewed levels of order and understanding.
Trigram Water is on top of trigram Fire as the top 3 lines in the hexagram image (below right). Water represents, among other things, danger. Water seeps downward which, in this hexagram, indicates there is always the need to be on guard against danger in whatever form it may appear. The ancient Chinese found it extremely difficult and dangerous to cross a river, thus they chose the symbolism of water to illustrate this uncertainty. They also understood that once the crossing has been completed, it did not mean danger was defeated forever.
The ancient ideograph is on the upper left portion of the image below. Ji Ji used to mean finishing a meal and then became “already finished”. A person is on the upper right in a kneeling position and a vessel of food is on the left. The lower portion shows water (a river) on the left and on the right a boat with 3 people in it, working together to cross the river. The ideograph means to complete something when taking all the parts together.
In summary: Already Complete refers to times in life when a task is complete, the danger is in the rear-view mirror or the contest was won. Reaching completion means the motivation behind the endeavor is withdrawn and what is complete cannot continue indefinitely fixed into that one state of completion. Although success cannot last, careful attention and maintenance can help make sure it lasts longer. Nature and life are dynamic as order and chaos weave an ongoing saga. One analogy may be found in the pattern of green leaves on trees in the spring falling into dry, disordered patterns in the autumn, then regrowing into a similar but different green pattern the next spring. Hexagram 63, Already Complete, symbolizes dealing with the process of “what was” moving into “what is”.
Following are a few ideas for interpretations of each line:
Line 1 – There is an ancient Chinese story about a fox crossing a river. The fox lifted its tail to avoid getting it wet but as the water got deeper midway through, its tail got wet anyways. What the ancients suggest is that you have made a decision and a start, but this is not yet finished. Although it is important to be cautious in life, there will be mistakes, but fewer if you can learn to stop pushing too hard.
Line 2 – There may be some way in which you are feeling vulnerable or exposed causing you to want to withdraw into yourself. A new cycle is coming so, rather than hide or fight, wait quietly and remain faithful until the situation matures.
Line 3 – You may come up against some tests which can bring up the demons of insecurity or some other kind of weakness. The process may be an extended one that will require perseverance. Vigilance and attention are necessary for eventual success.
Line 4 – There is something within the current situation which is deteriorating and it may not be apparent quite yet. Do not gloss over small clues, even if they seem insignificant. Take care to make sure you are paying attention to anyone else who may be involved or any details which may need attention.
Line 5 – This is a time where it is better to make a less flashy, but more sincere effort. More force, complexity or grandiosity can push away success. If living with a high degree of prosperity becomes essential, life becomes much more tenuous.
Line 6 – The ancient’s analogy for this situation is to avoid “soaking one’s head”. What they mean is, as you are cross a great river and coming to the other bank, there may be the temptation to start to think too highly of yourself. This kind of self-satisfaction or emotional excitement can block you from success. You’ve come a long way, keep your thinking clear.