Trigrams
☳☱ – Thunder above, Lake below
Meaning
Represents an imperfect but necessary union. Thunder above the lake — impulsive force above joyful receptivity. A secondary marriage, or a union made under less than ideal circumstances. Such relationships can still be made to work through patience and adapting to one's actual situation.
Interpretation
- Accept your actual situation gracefully rather than demanding ideal conditions.
- A secondary or subordinate position, held with dignity, is better than none.
- Patience and modesty in a difficult relationship eventually brings harmony.
Six Yao (Lines) with Classical Quotes
1st Yao (初爻)
归妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
English: Marrying as a concubine — the lame can still walk. Going forward is auspicious. Even in a secondary position, making the best of it with courage and patience brings good results.
Luck Level: Good
2nd Yao (二爻)
眼能视，利幽人之贞。
English: The one-eyed can still see — beneficial for the constancy of the reclusive person. Even with limited perception, a quiet steadiness of character brings benefit.
Luck Level: Neutral
3rd Yao (三爻)
归妹以须，反归以娣。
English: The maiden to be married must wait — she returns to marry as a concubine. Failing to achieve the primary status, she accepts the secondary role.
Luck Level: Caution
4th Yao (四爻)
归妹湆期，迟归有时。
English: The marrying maiden delays the time — a late return has its own proper time. Waiting for the right moment, even if it means a delayed fulfillment.
Luck Level: Neutral
5th Yao (五爻)
帝乙归妹，其君之襄，不如其娣之襄良；月几望，吉。
English: Emperor Yi marries off his younger sister. The prince's sleeves are not as fine as the concubine's — the moon is nearly full. Good fortune. True inner virtue is more important than outward rank or adornment.
Luck Level: Good
6th Yao (上爻)
女承筐无实，士制羊无血，无攸利。
English: The woman holds a basket with nothing in it; the man slaughters the sheep and gets no blood — nothing is gained. A union that is empty of genuine substance; the forms are maintained but nothing real is exchanged.
Luck Level: Caution