---
title: 坎為水 — The Abysmal Water (Hexagram 29)
lang: en
canonical: https://ekidan.ai/library/29
alternates:
  - ja: https://ekidan.ai/ja/library/29
  - zh-Hant: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/29
  - zh-TW: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/29
  - zh-HK: https://ekidan.ai/zh/library/29
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.
---

# 坎為水 · The Abysmal Water — Hexagram 29

Hexagram 29 of the I Ching is 坎為水 (The Abysmal Water). The Abysmal Water — repeated peril. With sincerity the heart prevails; advance and be honored. Hold to sincerity and pass through danger.

## Work / Relationships / Health

- **Work**: Successive trials; truth breaks through.
- **Relationships**: A trial of bonds; sincerity is tested.
- **Health**: Kidneys, ears, fluids, cold.

## Structure

- Number: 29
- Name: 坎為水
- English: The Abysmal Water
- Romaji: kan-i-sui
- Pinyin: kǎn
- Upper: 水 (Water)
- Lower: 水 (Water)
- Lines (top to bottom):

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

## Questions about this hexagram

### What does hexagram 29 (坎為水) mean?

The Abysmal Water — repeated peril. With sincerity the heart prevails; advance and be honored.

### What does 坎為水 counsel?

Hold to sincerity and pass through danger.

### What does 坎為水 say about work?

Successive trials; truth breaks through.

### What does 坎為水 say about relationships?

A trial of bonds; sincerity is tested.

### What does 坎為水 say about health?

Kidneys, ears, fluids, cold.

### Which trigrams make up hexagram 29?

Upper trigram 水 (Water) over lower trigram 水 (Water).


Source: [Takashima Ekidan AI — ekidan.ai](https://ekidan.ai/library/29)