ChineseStudy

44. Gou | Coming to Meet

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English translation

Gou / Coming to Meet: A strong woman appears; do not take a wife now.

This is the judgment of Gou (Coming to Meet), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

First Six: Held fast at a bronze brake, firm integrity is auspicious. If one has business in motion, danger is to be seen. The omen is like a gaunt pig in an uneven, dragging gait.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Second Nine: Fish is held in a bag; there is no blame, but receiving guests is not fitting.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.

Third Nine: The buttocks are unprotected and the gait is unsteady, showing danger; there is no major fault.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “danger” calls for vigilance.

Fourth Nine: This position is like carrying a bundle with nothing inside; danger has already begun to appear.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Fifth Nine: It is like wrapping a melon in a quince shell, with hidden excellence beneath, but a fall or setback comes down from above.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Top Nine: At the summit, the meeting reaches a horned edge: there is vexation or regret, yet no blame is incurred.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

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