Hexagram 10 of 64
Treading
lv · 履
TL;DR
- ◈Hexagram 10, Treading, is summarized by the Judgment: Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.
- ◈Its structure is Heaven above Lake; read the trigram interaction before treating it as a simple label.
- ◈Core keywords: caution, conduct, propriety, courage.
By the Numbers
- #10
- King Wen Order
- Treading in the 64-hexagram sequence.
- 2
- Trigrams
- Heaven above Lake.
- 6
- Lines
- Each hexagram is read from bottom to top.
Classical Context
Hexagram 10, Lǚ (履), is the hexagram of Treading — the art of careful conduct in the presence of power. It is composed of Qián (☰ Heaven) above and Duì (☱ Lake) below. The image suggests treading upon something dangerous — like stepping on a tiger's tail — yet proceeding with correct conduct and emerging unharmed.
This expanded note is adapted from the long-form hexagram draft as cultural and textual context; a live reading still depends on the question, changing lines, and the full transformation pattern.
Six-Line Theme Map
I Ching lines are read from the bottom upward. This map runs from the initial line to the top line so the Judgment, Image, and moving-line position can be read together.
- L1
初九 · 素履
Simple treading — unadorned conduct
- L2
九二 · 履道坦坦
The path is level and smooth
- L3
六三 · 眇能视
The one-eyed can see — overreaching
- L4
九四 · 履虎尾
Treading the tiger's tail — critical
- L5
九五 · 夬履
Resolute treading — decisive conduct
- L6
上九 · 视履考祥
Examine the path, inspect omens
Deep Reading
Conduct as protection near power
Lu does not ask the reader to deny danger. The tiger is real: authority, risk, hierarchy, or a sensitive boundary. The hexagram's teaching is that correct conduct can make dangerous ground passable when avoidance and aggression would both fail.
- •Heaven above Lake sets joy and openness beneath authority.
- •The Judgment allows contact with danger only through proper conduct.
- •The third line warns against ambition that outruns capacity.
- •The top line asks for review: the path matters as much as the arrival.
Caution without servility
Lu balances respect and integrity. Fear in the fourth line is not cowardice; it is accurate perception of risk. Resoluteness in the fifth line is not domination; it must remain correct because power magnifies every error.
- •Simple conduct at the first line keeps motives clean.
- •A level path at the second line favors inner steadiness.
- •The tiger bites when weak position pretends to full mastery.
- •Resolute conduct is useful only when it remains disciplined.
Reading Lu in a live question
- Authority or hierarchy
- Respect the real power in the room while keeping your integrity. Speak and act cleanly; do not posture or provoke.
- Risky negotiation
- Move step by step. If you are treading the tiger's tail, caution is the intelligence that keeps the negotiation open.
- Review after action
- The final line asks you to inspect how you walked. A result gained by reckless conduct may not be a stable success.
Source Notes
- Primary text
- This reading follows the Zhouyi Lu Judgment, Image, Tuan commentary, and line statements, especially the tiger-tail and distinguishing-above-below motifs.
- Zhouyi: Lu Judgment, Image, Tuan Zhuan, and line statements
- Method boundary
- Lu is a symbolic guide to conduct around risk and authority, not permission to seek danger. Changing lines and context decide whether to advance, pause, or withdraw.
- CosmicTao editorial method note
Interpretation
Proceed with extreme caution. Watch every step.
Upper Trigram
Heaven
Lower Trigram
Lake
The Judgment (King Wen)
Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.
The Image
Heaven above, the lake below: the image of Treading. Thus the superior man discriminates between high and low.
Keywords
FAQ
What is Hexagram 10 (Treading)?
Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.
What is the geometric structure of Hexagram 10?
Hexagram 10 acts with the upper trigram Heaven and the lower trigram Lake.
What are the core themes of Treading?
The core themes and meanings include: caution, conduct, propriety, courage.