Hexagram 63

After Completion

水火既济 · 既济 · Jì Jì | Water over Fire

Water over fire in balance; completion is won, now guard it.

CompletionBalanceVigilanceConsolidation

Upper trigram

坎 · Water

Lower trigram

离 · Fire

The Judgment

“Success in small matters. Perseverance furthers. At the beginning good fortune, at the end disorder.”

The Lines

Nine at the beginningHe brakes his wheels; the tail gets wet. No blame.

Six in the second placeThe wife loses the screen of her carriage. Do not chase after it; in seven days you will get it back.

Nine in the third placeThe great ancestor attacks the Land of Demons. It takes three years to conquer it. Do not employ inferior people.

Six in the fourth placeThe finest silk turns to rags; be on guard all day long.

Nine in the fifth placeThe eastern neighbor who slaughters an ox does not gain as much blessing as the western neighbor with his small offering, who truly receives the favor.

Six at the topHe gets his head in the water. Danger.

Line texts are an original modern translation of the classical Zhou Yi (public domain).

Meaning

Water above fire, every line in its proper place—the moment of completion and equilibrium. Yet perfect balance is fragile and tends to slip back into disorder.

Guidance

Having achieved your aim, stay vigilant; consolidate gains and guard against the decline that follows success.

When This Hexagram Appears

Just after a goal is reached, when complacency is the danger and careful maintenance preserves the win.

FAQ about Hexagram 63

What does Hexagram 63, After Completion, mean?

After Completion (水火既济, hexagram 63 of the I Ching). Water above fire, every line in its proper place—the moment of completion and equilibrium. Yet perfect balance is fragile and tends to slip back into disorder.

What is the Judgment of the After Completion hexagram?

The Judgment reads: “Success in small matters. Perseverance furthers. At the beginning good fortune, at the end disorder.” Water over fire in balance; completion is won, now guard it.

What guidance does Hexagram 63 offer?

Having achieved your aim, stay vigilant; consolidate gains and guard against the decline that follows success.

When does the After Completion hexagram apply?

Just after a goal is reached, when complacency is the danger and careful maintenance preserves the win.

Related Hexagrams

Opposite Hexagram

No. 64 · Before Completion

Every line changed to its opposite — the mirror situation.

Reversed Hexagram

No. 64 · Before Completion

The same figure turned upside down — the view from the other side.