Hexagram 58: The Joyous Lake → Hexagram 12: Standstill

The Joyous Lake
Lake / Lake
Standstill
Heaven / Earth
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 3 changing lines (lines 1, 2, 6).

Line 1

初九 和兌吉。

responsive
duìjoy
promising

Nine at the beginning means: Contented joyousness. Good fortune.

Line 2

九二 孚兌吉。悔亡。

trusting
duìjoy
promising
huǐregret
wángpass

Nine in the second place means: Sincere joyousness. Good fortune. Remorse disappears.

Line 6

上六 引兌。

yǐnled
duìjoy

Six at the top means: Seductive joyousness.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramLake HeavenThe Joyous → The Creative
Lower TrigramLake EarthThe Joyous → The Receptive

Yilin Verse

有兩赤頭,從五岳來。謠言无祐,趍爾之林。俯伏聽命,不敢動搖。

Two with red heads come from the Five Peaks. Rumors offer no protection; hasten to your forest refuge. Bow low and heed the command; dare not stir or waver.

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

Commentary

Paired lakes confront the image of heaven and earth refusing to communicate — Standstill. Two red-headed figures arrive from the Five Sacred Mountains bearing rumors and false prophecies, driving the listener into the forest. There one lies prostrate, listening for commands, not daring to move. The 'two red-headed' ones suggest ominous emissaries or supernatural agents whose message inspires paralysis rather than action. From The Joyous to Standstill, open communication collapses into fearful submission. When heaven and earth separate, rumors fill the void. The verse warns that in times of cosmic blockage, even those who receive messages from sacred places may find only intimidation, not guidance.

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