56. Lü | The Traveler
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
旅：小亨，旅贞吉。
English translation
Lü / The Traveler: The traveler has small success; when the traveler stays true, it is auspicious.
This is the judgment of Lü (The Traveler), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
Original Chinese text
初六：旅琐琐，斯其所取灾。
English translation
First Six: The traveler is unsettled and petty in movement; this is the source of coming misfortune.
The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
Original Chinese text
六二：旅即次，怀其资，得童仆，贞。
English translation
Second Six: The traveler stays by camp, carries what is needed, and gains helpers. This is steady and proper.
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.
Original Chinese text
九三：旅焚其次，丧其童仆，贞厉。象曰：「旅焚其次」，亦以伤矣。以旅与下，其义丧也。
English translation
Third Nine: The traveler burns the lower stores and loses attendants; keeping to principle is dangerous. It is a warning that the travel position has suffered loss.
The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “danger” calls for vigilance.
Original Chinese text
九四：旅于处，得其资斧，我心不快。
English translation
Fourth Nine: The traveler reaches a place and gains tools or an axe, but the heart is not at ease.
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：射雉一矢亡，终以誉命。
English translation
Fifth Six: A shot at a pheasant misses with one arrow, yet in the end one is rewarded with reputation and honor.
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.
Original Chinese text
上九：鸟焚其巢，旅人先笑后号咷，丧牛于易，凶。
English translation
Top Nine: A bird burns its nest; the traveler laughs first, then cries out. A cow is lost at an easy crossing, and this is dangerous.
The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “misfortune” marks serious risk.