ChineseStudy

54. Gui Mei | The Marrying Maiden

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English translation

Gui Mei / The Marrying Maiden: In this arrangement, advancing is dangerous, and there is no real benefit.

This is the judgment of Gui Mei (The Marrying Maiden), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. the warning against going forward suggests restraint rather than expansion; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

First Nine: The bride is taken as a younger companion; though she limps, she can still walk. Advancing 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.

Second Nine: Vision is limited but still able to see; this favors one who is reclusive and holds to sincerity and uprightness.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time.

Third Six: The bride is in a waiting state and then returns in a sisterly role. Timing and relation must be handled with care.

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.

Fourth Nine: The bride is late and has missed the proper timing. A delayed return is acceptable at its proper moment.

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.

Fifth Six: Emperor Yi gives in marriage; the ruler’s sleeve does not shine as well as the sister’s. When the moon is near full, it is auspicious.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Top Six: A woman carries a basket with nothing in it, and a man slaughters a sheep with no blood. Nothing here is favorable.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. the warning against going forward suggests restraint rather than expansion.

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