歸妹

Hexagram 54: The Marrying Maiden → Hexagram 16: Enthusiasm

歸妹
The Marrying Maiden
Thunder / Lake
Enthusiasm
Thunder / Earth
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 1, 2).

Line 1

初九 歸妹以娣。跛能履。征吉。

guīmarries
mèithe maiden
as
second
the lame
néngcan manage
to walk
zhēngto expedite
is promising

Nine at the beginning means: The marrying maiden as a concubine. A lame man who is able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune.

Line 2

九二 眇能視。利幽人之貞。

miǎothe one-eyed
néngcan
shìto see
reward
yōuan obscure
rénone
zhī's
zhēnpersistence

Nine in the second place means: A one-eyed man who is able to see. The perseverance of a solitary man furthers.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramThunder Thunder
Lower TrigramLake EarthThe Joyous → The Receptive

Yilin Verse

逐利三年,利走如神。輾轉東西,如鳥避丸。

Chasing profit for three years, gain eludes like a spirit. Rolling east then west, like a bird dodging the slung stone.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Thunder over lake gives way to thunder over earth: the maiden's impulsive energy finds outlet in Enthusiasm's mobilizing power. For three years one chases profit, darting like a spirit, rolling east and west like a bird dodging pellets. The verse captures relentless commercial agility, a merchant who survives by speed and instinct rather than by settling anywhere. From the Marrying Maiden to Enthusiasm, the transformation channels restless movement into purposeful momentum. Thunder emerging from earth shakes the world into coordinated action, as the ancient kings used music and ceremony to unite. The merchant's bird-like evasion resonates with Enthusiasm's thunderous release: energy that cannot be contained finds its proper expression in swift, decisive movement.

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