Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 归妹 (Guī Mèi) |
| English Name | The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate Union |
| Trigrams | Thunder over Lake (震上兑下) |
| Number | 54 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Thunder over the lake: the image of the Marrying Maiden. Thus the superior man understands the transitory in the light of the eternity of the end.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初九 | Bottom | The marrying maiden as a concubine. A lame man who is able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九二 | 2nd | A one-eyed man who is able to see. The perseverance of a solitary man furthers. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六三 | 3rd | The marrying maiden as a slave. She marries as a concubine. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九四 | 4th | The marrying maiden draws out the allotted time. A late marriage comes in due course. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 六五 | 5th | The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. The embroidered garments of the princess are not as gorgeous as those of the serving maid. The moon that is nearly full brings good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上六 | Top | The woman holds the basket, but there are no fruits. The man stabs the sheep, but no blood flows. Nothing that acts to further. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Accepting a subordinate position; understanding the transitory nature of things
- Upper trigram Thunder (arousing and energizing) over lower trigram Lake (joyous and open)
- Embodies the qualities of subordination, limitation, acceptance and transience, patience, duty
Keywords
SubordinationLimitationAcceptanceTransiencePatienceDuty
Divination & Prediction
★☆☆☆☆Inauspicious — Accept Limitations
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Challenging period requiring patience. Accepting a subordinate position; understanding the transitory nature of things Preserve your strength through patience and duty. |
| Timing | Not the time for bold initiatives. Consolidate and wait. |
| Challenge | The temptation to force progress will backfire. Practice transience. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels subordination and limitation. The Thunder trigram above suggests arousing and energizing energy in your outer dealings, while the Lake trigram below points to joyous and open foundations. Retrench and preserve resources until conditions improve.
Health & Wellness
Focus on liver and feet and mouth and respiratory. Rest and recovery are priorities. Don't push your body beyond its current capacity.
Relationships
In relationships, embody subordination and limitation. Patience and understanding are needed. Avoid confrontation; focus on maintaining what you have.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes acceptance and transience. Focus on fundamentals and review. Build a strong foundation before advancing.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate subordination in all your actions
- Practice limitation consistently
- Embrace acceptance as your guiding principle
- Develop transience through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of patience
- Abandon duty under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 53. Jiàn (渐) | Development — proper gradual progress |
| 34. Dà Zhuàng (大壮) | Great Power — power that subordination lacks |
| 11. Tài (泰) | Peace — the harmony that proper positions bring |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “I'm in a position beneath my abilities. How should I handle this?”
You received Hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden. The judgment says: 'The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further....' Accepting a subordinate position; understanding the transitory nature of things This is a cautionary sign. The current conditions call for patience rather than action. Preserve your resources and wait for the cycle to turn.