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Hexagram 10: Treading
履 · Lǚ
Treading on the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.Judgment 卦辭
Heaven above, the lake below: the image of Treading. The noble one distinguishes high and low, settling the hopes of the people.Image 象辭
Core Meaning of Hexagram 10
Hexagram 10 is conduct in dangerous territory — treading carefully on a tiger’s tail. You must proceed among power, risk or touchy people, and survival depends on manner: correct behavior, appropriate distance, respect for the hierarchy of the situation. The tiger does not bite the person whose conduct is impeccable and unprovocative.
Hexagram 10 in a Reading
In a reading, mind your step. This is not the moment for original gestures or corner-cutting; convention, courtesy and precise execution protect you. Know your position relative to others — what is above you and what is below — and act accordingly. Done right, hazardous ground can be crossed whole; one careless step is what wakes the tiger.
Common Questions
What does hexagram 10 mean?
Hexagram 10 is conduct in dangerous territory — treading carefully on a tiger’s tail. Read the full meaning above, or cast your own reading with our free online I Ching coins.
What is the structure of hexagram 10?
Hexagram 10 is built from the trigram Heaven above and Lake below — binary 110111 read from the bottom line to the top. Treading is King Wen number 10 of the 64 hexagrams.
Related Hexagrams
Other Hexagrams with Trigram Heaven Above
Keywords: i ching hexagram 10, hexagram 10 meaning, treading, lu, treading on the tigers tail, careful conduct, dangerous situation etiquette