---
title: 山風蠱 — Work on the Decayed (Hexagram 18)
lang: en
canonical: https://ekidan.ai/library/18
alternates:
  - ja: https://ekidan.ai/ja/library/18
  - zh-Hant: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/18
  - zh-TW: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/18
  - zh-HK: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/18
source: 高島易断 (Takashima Ekidan), public-domain 1893 English and 1901 Chinese editions
provider: ekidan.ai — AI-assisted I Ching reading grounded in 88 source-verified historical Takashima cases
license: Classical source text is public domain. This structured edition and its modern commentary are © ICHING LLC, ekidan.ai. Attribution requested when quoted.
---

# 山風蠱 · Work on the Decayed — Hexagram 18

Hexagram 18 of the I Ching is 山風蠱 (Work on the Decayed). Work on the Decayed — worms breed in a vessel; corruption to be set right. Plan carefully before and after — great success. Trace the cause; correct at the root.

## Work / Relationships / Health

- **Work**: Time for restoration and reform.
- **Relationships**: Re-examine and clear up old ties.
- **Health**: Chronic liver or stomach issues.

## Structure

- Number: 18
- Name: 山風蠱
- English: Work on the Decayed
- Romaji: san-pū-ko
- Pinyin: gǔ
- Upper: 山 (Mountain)
- Lower: 風 (Wind)
- Lines (top to bottom):

```text
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬   ▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
```

## Questions about this hexagram

### What does hexagram 18 (山風蠱) mean?

Work on the Decayed — worms breed in a vessel; corruption to be set right. Plan carefully before and after — great success.

### What does 山風蠱 counsel?

Trace the cause; correct at the root.

### What does 山風蠱 say about work?

Time for restoration and reform.

### What does 山風蠱 say about relationships?

Re-examine and clear up old ties.

### What does 山風蠱 say about health?

Chronic liver or stomach issues.

### Which trigrams make up hexagram 18?

Upper trigram 山 (Mountain) over lower trigram 風 (Wind).


Source: [Takashima Ekidan AI — ekidan.ai](https://ekidan.ai/library/18)