44.4

[xumarhu]

If you read line two of 44 in the commentary of Wilhelm he states 'the fish likewise belongs to the yin principle.' In hexagram 44 this is in effect the solitary yin line at the beginning that through its subtleness, undermines the stronger yin; or comes to meet it in a spirit of union. The fish, then, has an ambivalent meaning. It can stand for Christ or it can represent the decaying aspect of evil. (BTW the Native Americans used fish to fertilize soil) It all depends on the question you are asking. When yin and yang meet all things on earth flourish, yet when we do not relate well to yin in ourselves or others there can be decay. Likewise, the melon in line five is a symbol of the yin principle, sweet but spoils easily.

With respect to the 'insignificant people' of line four it depends on the question and whom one assigns to represent 'people'. Could it be co-workers who must be tolerated or some small insignificant habit or thought pattern in oneself whose time has not yet come to be dispelled? In the commentary on four Wilhelm ammends: The misfortune inhering in the fact that there is no fish in the tank comes from his having kept aloof from the people. 'People' may mean the lower classes or servants. It could be ones body as servant which is under my guidance for proper nourishment, rest and exercise. It could be the soul who because of my 'aloofness' has not received the proper diet of impressions. Maybe as a Dad I haven't been spending enough time with my children. Or as a non-married person it might represent those talents and abilities which I am responsible for fostering and which can be thought of as my 'children'.

So you see it largely depends upon the question. I think, though, it is best to keep in mind the ambivalent character of images when studying the book. For example with respect to hexagram 1, one can be a creative progenitor or an arrogant dragon. It cuts both ways. The dragon, beneficent/ destructive.

Ken Wanamaker

very helpful insight, thank you for sharing.