Hexagram 54Upper Zhen · ThunderLower Dui · Lake

Gui Mei · The Marrying Maiden

归妹卦 · 雷泽归妹

Relationships
Position
Impulse
The long view

The Judgment

Kwei Mei indicates that (under the conditions which it denotes) action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.

征凶，无攸利。

The Image

Thunder over the lake: the marrying maiden. The noble one, in the same way, understands what will last to the end and recognises what will fail.

泽上有雷，归妹。君子以永终知敝。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

You may be in a relationship or partnership where your position is not ideal, or where the starting point was mostly impulse. Gui Mei is thunder moving over the lake, a young woman marrying, but the text warns that going forward brings misfortune: entering a bond on unequal or improper terms rarely ends well.

Where to put your effort

Take a calm look at this relationship or choice: is it built on equality and the long term? Think about where it will end up and see the possible problems in advance. If you are in a secondary position for now, keep your dignity and play your part well, and wait for a better moment rather than grabbing for position.

Four areas of life

Career: Advancing by the wrong means cannot last.
Wealth: Prices are fine, but the outcome is uncertain.
Family: Once married, do not live with your mother's family; do not indulge in passion.
Health: The end of the natural lifespan approaches.

Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.

The six lines

Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.

Nine at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows the younger sister married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. (It suggests the idea of) a person lame on one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.Moving

初九：归妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。

Image：Marrying as a secondary wife: this is the constant way. The lame can still walk: good fortune through supporting one another.

Career: Succeeding through others; nothing remarkable.
Wealth: Following instructions, you are lucky to profit.
Family: Even a side room is auspicious.
Health: Difficulty walking.

Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows her blind of one eye, and yet able to see. There will be advantage in her maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow.Moving

九二：眇能视，利幽人之贞。

Image：Favourable for a secluded person to persevere: not departing from the norm.

Career: Stop daydreaming; settle down and cultivate yourself.
Wealth: A unique insight brings quiet profit.
Family: Suited to a secluded life; a secondary role suits you.
Health: Look after your eyes.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows the younger sister who was to be married off in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.Moving

六三：归妹以须，反归以娣。

Image：Marrying in a lowly role: it is not proper.

Career: Held back by others; be patient for now.
Wealth: No profit now; plan for the future.
Family: Not the main residence; not a proper marriage.
Health: It will heal in time.

Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows the younger sister who is to be married off protracting the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.Moving

九四：归妹愆期，迟归有时。

Image：The intention of delaying: waiting for the right time to act.

Career: Good luck comes in its own time; do not rush.
Wealth: Act when the time is right and you will profit.
Family: Do not move for now; it will take time.
Health: Rest calmly.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, reminds us of the marrying of the younger sister of (king) Ti-yi, when the sleeves of her the princess were not equal to those of the (still) younger sister who accompanied her in an inferior capacity. (The case suggests the thought of) the moon almost full. There will be good fortune.Moving

六五：帝乙归妹，其君之袂不如其娣之袂良。月几望，吉。

Image：Emperor Yi gives his sister in marriage, less finely dressed than the bridesmaid: her position is central, and she acts with dignity.

Career: Humility brings blessing; rising together with others.
Wealth: Later goods are better; selling early is profitable.
Family: Happy news at the door; two women enter the family together.
Health: Better within half a month.

Six at the topThe sixth line, divided, shows the young lady bearing the basket, but without anything in it, and the gentleman slaughtering the sheep, but without blood flowing from it. There will be no advantage in any way.Moving

上六：女承筐无实，士刲羊无血，无攸利。

Image：Six at the top has nothing: holding an empty basket.

Career: Nothing goes smoothly; be careful.
Wealth: No capital and no goods; how can there be profit?
Family: Guard against disputes; the marriage is improper.
Health: Exhaustion and blood loss; a very grave sign.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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