Hexagram 10 Lǚ (履): Treading, Meaning and Six Lines
Tenth hexagram of the I Ching: Lake beneath Heaven, how to conduct oneself in the presence of someone more powerful. Judgement, six lines, moving lines and a careful reading of Treading.
Key points
| Number | 10 of 64 (King Wen order) |
|---|---|
| Chinese name | 履 (Lǚ) |
| Approximate pronunciation | lü (the ü as in French “lune”) |
| Name (French tradition followed here) | Lü, Treading |
| Lower trigram (inner) | Dui, Lake |
| Upper trigram (outer) | Qian, Heaven |
| Lines, from bottom to top | yang / yang / yin / yang / yang / yang |
| Twin hexagram | No. 9, Xiao Chu, the Lesser Taming |
Hexagram 10: Lǚ (履), name and composition
Hexagram 10 is called “Treading” or “Conduct”. The character means at once to put on a shoe, to walk and, by extension, to conduct oneself. Its famous image is that of someone treading on the tail of a tiger.
Hexagram no. 10 is written 履 and transliterated Lǚ in pinyin; it is pronounced approximately “lü” (the ü as in French “lune”). It is made of two trigrams stacked one above the other: below, inside, Dui (Lake); above, outside, Qian (Heaven). The overall image is therefore Heaven above the Lake.
The six lines, from bottom to top, are: yang (solid), yang (solid), yin (broken), yang (solid), yang (solid), yang (solid). In King Wen’s order it forms a pair with hexagram 9 (Xiao Chu, the Lesser Taming), which is the same figure turned upside down.
The judgement in brief
The judgement fits in one sentence: one treads on the tail of the tiger and it does not bite, so it is a success. The danger is real, but the right attitude defuses it.
General meaning
The Lake is set beneath Heaven: the gentler one advances behind the stronger. The hexagram has a single yin line, the third, among yang lines. It is the image of courtesy and tact before someone more powerful than oneself: in a relationship of inequality, there is nothing to gain by provoking.
The lesson is that of a smiling prudence: advancing without provocation, knowing one’s limits, remaining simple. Neither reckless boldness nor a fear that paralyses. The text suggests that with sincerity and attention, one can pass very close to what is dangerous without being bitten.
The six lines, one by one
The lines are counted from bottom to top. Here, summarised in our own words, is the image the ancient text attaches to each one; the last column gives the hexagram obtained if that line alone is moving.
| Line | Nature | Summarised image | If it is moving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | yang (solid) | Walking simply, in ordinary shoes: when one advances without calculation, there is no fault. | No. 6 (Song) |
| 2 | yang (solid) | A level, clear path: the serenity of someone who lives apart benefits them. | No. 25 (Wu Wang) |
| 3 | yin (broken) | Seeing with one eye and walking with a limp: believing oneself more capable than one is, and being bitten for it. The zeal of a warrior in the service of a great chief. | No. 1 (Qian) |
| 4 | yang (solid) | Treading on the tail of the tiger with fear and attention: this caution ends well. | No. 61 (Zhong Fu) |
| 5 | yang (solid) | Walking resolutely: determination is good, but the danger remains and calls for staying lucid. | No. 38 (Kui) |
| 6 | yang (solid) | Looking back over the path already travelled and examining its signs: completing the circle brings great fortune. | No. 58 (Dui) |
The moving lines
A moving line is a line that the casting marks as unstable: one reads its own text, then it turns into its opposite, which gives a second hexagram, read as the direction the situation is taking. A moving yang line is called “nine”, a moving yin line “six”. Without a moving line, one keeps to the general judgement.
For Lü, a moving line locates the kind of caution you need: simplicity, serenity, humility about one’s abilities, attention to the stronger party, lucid determination, and a review of the path travelled.
A modern reading, with caution
Today, Lü is often read in connection with relationships with a superior, a difficult client or an intimidating person. A careful reading sees in it a reminder of tact: weighing what is at stake, staying sincere, not provoking needlessly. It does not say that the danger will disappear, only how to get through it with the least friction possible.
Questions for reflection
- Where am I walking on a tiger’s tail without knowing it?
- What do I overestimate in my abilities at the moment?
- How can I stay sincere while remaining respectful?
- What assessment can I make of my recent path?
Mistakes to avoid
- Provoking a stronger person out of bravado.
- Believing oneself more capable than one is, like the person of the third line.
- Confusing caution with submission.
- Taking the “success” of the judgement as a promise of complete safety.
Names, translations and a reminder
The name “Lü, Treading” follows one tradition of translation among others. Other translations speak of Conduct, Behaviour or Treading On; the character 履 means both “shoes” and “to tread on”. Compare two translations if you can.
A reminder: the I Ching is a book of wisdom and divination, consulted as a tool for reflection, never as a prediction; it does not replace medical, legal, financial or safety advice. This page summarises the text in our own words.
Frequently asked questions
What does hexagram 10 of the I Ching mean?
It is the hexagram of conduct: how to advance in the presence of someone stronger than oneself, with tact, simplicity and sincerity, without provocation.
What does treading on the tail of the tiger mean?
It is an image of the risk taken when approaching a superior force. The judgement affirms that, with the right attitude, the tiger does not bite.
Is Lü a dangerous hexagram?
It describes a delicate situation, but its judgement is positive. The danger comes above all from haste and pride, as the third line shows.
What are the trigrams of hexagram 10?
Dui (Lake) below, inside, and Qian (Heaven) above, outside.
What is the twin hexagram of number 10?
Number 9, Xiao Chu, the Lesser Taming: in King Wen’s order hexagrams come in pairs, the second being the same figure turned upside down.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to The 64 hexagrams of the Yi King.