51. Zhen | The Arousing
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
震：亨，震来虩虩，笑言哑哑。震惊百里，不丧匕鬯。
English translation
Zhen / The Arousing: Success: thunder arrives with dread and nervous laughter follows. The shock carries for a hundred li, yet the sacred vessels are not lost.
This is the judgment of Zhen (The Arousing), 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.
Original Chinese text
初九：震来虩虩，后笑言哑哑，吉。
English translation
First Nine: Thunder comes with fear, followed by nervous laughter, and this is auspicious.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
六二：震来厉，亿丧贝，跻于九陵，勿逐，七日得。
English translation
Second Six: Thunder brings danger; treasures may be lost, and one climbs toward Nine Ridges. Do not pursue, and in seven days things are regained.
The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
六三：震苏苏，震行，无眚。
English translation
Third Six: Thunder moves in a trembling manner; movement occurs, and there is no disaster.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
九四：震遂泥。
English translation
Fourth Nine: At the fourth line, the stirring force is cut short and sinks into mud. Do not force movement beyond this point.
The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
六五：震往来厉，意无丧，有事。
English translation
Fifth Six: At the fifth line, movement and return are both dangerous. There is no loss of substance, but there is work that needs careful handling.
The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
上六：震索索，视矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其邻，无咎。婚媾有言。
English translation
Top Six: At the top, the shaking is hesitant and the eyes look about anxiously; advancing is dangerous. The shock misses the self and affects the neighbor instead, so there is no blame, though marriage matters may become talk of the moment.
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; “misfortune” marks serious risk.