I Ching - No.48 - Ching - 'The Well', by Faye Edmondson

This is the original watercolour painting. Picture size 84cm H x 63cm W.

*All the original works are mounted in black painted wooden frames and glazed.

Please note - the image you see online is faintly watermarked for Copyright Protection.

Interpretation.

The Well from which water is drawn conveys the idea of an inexhaustible dispensing of nourishment. Whereas cities can be moved and changed along with styles of architecture over the centuries, the well cannot be moved, and the shape has remained essentially the same. Thus the well is the symbol of that social structure which, evolved by mankind to meet its most primitive needs, is independent of all political and religious forms. A well neither increases nor decreases; people come and go and draw water to their satisfaction.

For a favourable outcome it is necessary to go down to the very foundations of life. Any superficial ordering of life that leaves its deepest needs unsatisfied is as ineffectual as if no attempt had been made. Excessive use of power must be avoided (by which the jug is broken), resulting in making the well unusable for all.

However people may differ in disposition and education, the foundations of human nature are the same in everyone, all share the same emotional and spiritual needs for love, support and inspiration. Every human being can draw from the inexhaustible wellspring of the divine in man’s nature. There are two dangers to be avoided, a failure to penetrate to the real roots of humanity and therefore remaining fixed in convention, and neglect of self-development.