Hexagram 54
Kuei MeiThe Marrying Maiden
Thunder (Zhen) · Lake (Dui)
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.
This hexagram in one line
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 husband's 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.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Lake rises above thunder
Hexagram Judgment
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.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Thunder (Zhen)
- Thunder · Arousing
- Lake (Dui)
- Lake · Joy
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
The Marrying Maiden is the great significance of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, all creatures fail to prosper. The Marrying Maiden is the end and beginning of humanity. Joy and movement: the Marrying Maiden goes. Undertakings bring misfortune because her place is not the proper one. Nothing that would further: the yielding rides on the hard.
The Marrying Maiden expresses a great principle of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, the myriad things cannot flourish. The Marrying Maiden marks the end and beginning of human relationships. Joy moves her to go. Undertakings bring misfortune because the position is not proper. Nothing furthers because the yielding rides upon the hard.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
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. But 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.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
- Hexagram LoveHexagram 54 (The Marrying Maiden) in Love: I Ching Guidance for RelationshipsWhat does Hexagram 54 (The Marrying Maiden) reveal about love and relationships? A girl who is taken into the family, but not as the chief wife, must behave with special caution and reserve.
- Hexagram StudyI Ching Hexagram Meanings: How to Read the 64 PatternsUnderstand how I Ching hexagram meanings work, from the overall pattern to the image, line statements, and modern interpretation.
Frequently asked questions
What does Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden mean in the I Ching?
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...
How should I study Hexagram 54 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The princes of ancient China maintained a fixed order of rank among the court ladies, who were subordinated to the queen as are younger sisters to the eldest. Frequently they came...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
The Marrying Maiden expresses a great principle of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, the myriad things cannot flourish. The Marrying Maiden marks the end and beginning of human relationships. Joy moves...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.