What this hexagram is about
Wind beneath the mountain; things long left breed decay — the image of accumulated ills awaiting repair. It speaks of setting wrong to right and reviving what has fallen into ruin: when a corruption is found, one must dare to put it in order — hard at first, and rewarding after.
The Judgment 卦辞
蛊，元亨，利涉大川。先甲三日，后甲三日。
Supreme success. It is favorable to cross the great river. Three days before the turning point, three days after.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：山下有风，蛊；君子以振民育德。
Wind blows below the mountain; so the noble person rouses the people and nurtures their virtue.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
干父之蛊，意承考也。
Repairing what the father spoiled — minded to carry on the forebear's work.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Six at the top不事王侯，高尚其事。
To serve neither king nor lord, standing apart from the affairs of the world, and to hold one's own integrity and aims the higher for it.
Six in the fifth place干父之蛊，用誉。
To set right the father's ills, and win renown for doing it well.
Nine in the fourth place裕父之蛊，往见吝。
To indulge and let slide the father's ills, leaving them unmended — to go on so brings regret.
Six in the third place干父之蛊，小有悔，无大咎。
To set right the father's ills; the hand is a touch too hard and brings slight remorse, but there is no great fault.
Nine in the second place干母之蛊，不可贞。
To set right the ills left by the mother; here one must not be too blunt and rigid, but bend and go gently.
Initial Nine干父之蛊，有子，考无咎，厉终吉。
To set right the ills left by the father; with so able an heir, the late father is freed of blame; though there is danger along the way, the end is good fortune.