Hexagram 58The eight pure hexagrams · Lake
TuiThe Joyous
Lake (Dui) · Lake (Dui)
The image
Lakes resting one on the other: The image of THE JOYOUS. Thus the superior man joins with his friends For discussion and practice.
This hexagram in one line
This hexagram, like Sun, is one of the eight formed by doubling of a trigram. The trigram Tui denotes the youngest daughter; it is symbolized by the smiling lake, and its attribute is joyousness. Contrary to appearances, it is not the yielding quality of the top line that accounts for joy here. The attribute of the yielding or dark principle is not joy but melancholy. However, joy is indicated by the fact that there are two strong lines within, expressing themselves through the medium of gentleness. True joy, therefore, rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting itself outwardly as yielding and gentle.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Lake creates joy
Hexagram Judgment
THE JOYOUS. Success. Perseverance is favorable.
The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and strength must dwell in the heart, while gentleness reveals itself in social intercourse. In this way one assumes the right attitude toward God and man and achieves something. Under certain conditions, intimidation without gentleness may achieve something momentarily, but not for all time. When, on the other hand, the hearts of men are won by friendliness, they are led to take all hardships upon themselves willingly, and if need be will not shun death itself, so great is the power of joy over men.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Lake (Dui)
- Lake · Joy
- Lake (Dui)
- Lake · Joy
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
The Joyous means pleasure. The hard is in the middle and the yielding is without; pleasure and perseverance—therefore success and perseverance. This accords with heaven and responds to man. When one leads with pleasure, the people forget their toil. When one leads into danger, the people forget their death. How great is the meaning of the Joyous!
The Joyous means delight. Hardness is centered and softness is outward, so delight furthers perseverance. In this way it accords with heaven and answers human hearts. Guiding people with delight makes them forget their toil; facing danger with delight makes them forget death. Such is the greatness of delight.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
Lakes resting one on the other: The image of THE JOYOUS. Thus the superior man joins with his friends For discussion and practice.
A lake evaporates upward and thus gradually dries up; but when two lakes are joined they do not dry up so readily, for one replenishes the other. It is the same in the field of knowledge. Knowledge should be a refreshing and vitalizing force. It becomes so only through stimulating intercourse with congenial friends with whom one holds discussion and practices application of the truths of life. In this way learning becomes many-sided and takes on a cheerful lightness, whereas there is always something ponderous and one-sided about the learning of the self-taught.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
- Hexagram LoveHexagram 58 (The Joyous [Lake]) in Love: I Ching Guidance for RelationshipsWhat does Hexagram 58 (The Joyous [Lake]) reveal about love and relationships? The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and... Explore how the I Ching guides emotional connection, dating, and partnership dynamics.
- Hexagram HealthHexagram 58 (The Joyous [Lake]) in Health: I Ching Guidance for Wellbeing and VitalityWhat does Hexagram 58 (The Joyous [Lake]) suggest about health and wellbeing? The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and... Explore how the I Ching frames the balance of energy, rest, and renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What does Tui / The Joyous mean in the I Ching?
The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and...
How should I study Hexagram 58 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. A quiet, wordless, self-contained joy, desiring nothing from without and resting content with everything, remains free of all egotistic likes and dislikes. In this freedom lies goo...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
The Joyous means delight. Hardness is centered and softness is outward, so delight furthers perseverance. In this way it accords with heaven and answers human hearts. Guiding people with delight makes them forget their t...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.