I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
54 - Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Above we have Chên, the eldest son, and below, Tui, the youngest daughter. The man leads and the girl follows him in gladness. The picture is that of the entrance of the girl into her husbands house. In all, there are four hexagrams depicting the relationship between husband and wife. Hsien, INFLUENCE, (31), describes the attraction that a young couple have for each other. Hêng, DURATION (32), portrays the permanent relationships of marriage, Chien, DEVELOPMENT (53), reflects the protracted, ceremonious procedures attending the arrangement of a proper marriage. Finally, Kuei Mei, THE MARRYING MAIDEN, shows a young girl under the guidance of an older man who marries her.
A girl who is taken into the family, but not as the chief wife, must behave with special caution and reserve. She must not take it upon herself to supplant the mistress of the house, for that would mean disorder and lead to untenable relationships. The same is true of all voluntary relationships between human beings. While legally regulated relationships evince a fixed connection between duties and rights, relationships based on personal inclination depend in the long run entirely on tactful reserve. Affection as the essential principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance in all relationships in the world. For the union of heaven and earth is the origin of the whole of nature. Among human beings likewise, spontaneous affection is the all-inclusive principle of union.
Thunder stirs the water of the lake, which follows it in shimmering waves. This symbolizes the girl who follows the man of her choice. However, every relationship between individuals bears within it the danger that wrong turns may be taken, leading to endless misunderstandings and disagreements. Therefore, it is necessary constantly to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may determine. If on the other hand a man fixes his mind on an end that endures, he will succeed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer relationships of people.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Above we have Chên, the eldest son, and below, Tui, the youngest daughter. The man leads and the girl follows him in gladness. The picture is that of the entrance of the girl into her husbands house. In all, there are four hexagrams depicting the relationship between husband and wife. Hsien, INFLUENCE, (31), describes the attraction that a young couple have for each other. Hêng, DURATION (32), portrays the permanent relationships of marriage, Chien, DEVELOPMENT (53), reflects the protracted, ceremonious procedures attending the arrangement of a proper marriage. Finally, Kuei Mei, THE MARRYING MAIDEN, shows a young girl under the guidance of an older man who marries her.
The Judgement
THE MARRYING MAIDEN. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.A girl who is taken into the family, but not as the chief wife, must behave with special caution and reserve. She must not take it upon herself to supplant the mistress of the house, for that would mean disorder and lead to untenable relationships. The same is true of all voluntary relationships between human beings. While legally regulated relationships evince a fixed connection between duties and rights, relationships based on personal inclination depend in the long run entirely on tactful reserve. Affection as the essential principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance in all relationships in the world. For the union of heaven and earth is the origin of the whole of nature. Among human beings likewise, spontaneous affection is the all-inclusive principle of union.
The Image
Thunder over the lake: The image of THE MARRYING MAIDEN. Thus, the superior man understands the transitory, in the light of the eternity of the end.Thunder stirs the water of the lake, which follows it in shimmering waves. This symbolizes the girl who follows the man of her choice. However, every relationship between individuals bears within it the danger that wrong turns may be taken, leading to endless misunderstandings and disagreements. Therefore, it is necessary constantly to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may determine. If on the other hand a man fixes his mind on an end that endures, he will succeed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer relationships of people.
Changing
Six at the top means:
The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall, and kills it. Everything serves to further.
The hawk on a high wall is the symbol of a powerful inferior in a high position who is hindering the deliverance. He withstands the force of inner influences, because he is hardened in his wickedness. He must be forcibly removed, and this requires appropriate means. Confucius says about this line: "The hawk is the object of the hunt, and bow and arrow are the tools and means. The marksman is man (who must make proper use of the means to his end)". The superior man contains the means in his own person. He bides his time and then acts. Why then should not everything go well? He acts and is free. Therefore, all he has to do is to go forth, and he takes his quarry. This is how a man fares who acts after he has made ready the means.
The prince shoots at a hawk on a high wall, and kills it. Everything serves to further.
The hawk on a high wall is the symbol of a powerful inferior in a high position who is hindering the deliverance. He withstands the force of inner influences, because he is hardened in his wickedness. He must be forcibly removed, and this requires appropriate means. Confucius says about this line: "The hawk is the object of the hunt, and bow and arrow are the tools and means. The marksman is man (who must make proper use of the means to his end)". The superior man contains the means in his own person. He bides his time and then acts. Why then should not everything go well? He acts and is free. Therefore, all he has to do is to go forth, and he takes his quarry. This is how a man fares who acts after he has made ready the means.
Transformed
40 - Hsieh / Deliverance
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. Deliverance is not yet achieved, as it is just in its beginning, and the hexagram represents its various stages.
This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible, thus, this is the meaning of "the southwest". These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however. In such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no unwanted slowing of the process occurs.
A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air, and the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity, he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them, but rather he simply passes over mistakes, or unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, and intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. Deliverance is not yet achieved, as it is just in its beginning, and the hexagram represents its various stages.
The Judgement
DELIVERANCE. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one has to go, return brings good fortune. If there is still somewhere where one has to go, hastening brings good fortune.This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible, thus, this is the meaning of "the southwest". These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however. In such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no unwanted slowing of the process occurs.
The Image
Thunder and rain set in: The image of DELIVERANCE. Thus, the superior man pardons mistakes and forgives misdeeds.A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air, and the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity, he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them, but rather he simply passes over mistakes, or unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, and intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.