Hexagram 54
The Younger Bride
歸妹 · guī mèi
- Upper trigram
- 震 · thunder
- Lower trigram
- 兌 · lake
Judgement
歸妹：征凶，无攸利。
Kwei Mei indicates that (under the conditions which it denotes) action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.
James Legge, 1882
Lines · bottom to top
- Line 1 初九
初九：歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
The first line, undivided, shows the younger sister married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. (It suggests the idea of) a person lame on one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.
- Line 2 九二
九二：眇能視，利幽人之貞。
The second line, undivided, shows her blind of one eye, and yet able to see. There will be advantage in her maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow.
- Line 3 六三
六三：歸妹以須，反歸以娣。
The third line, divided, shows the younger sister who was to be married off in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.
- Line 4 九四
九四：歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。
The fourth line, undivided, shows the younger sister who is to be married off protracting the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.
- Line 5 六五
六五：帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良。月幾望，吉。
The fifth line, divided, reminds us of the marrying of the younger sister of (king) Tî-yî, when the sleeves of her the princess were not equal to those of the (still) younger sister who accompanied her in an inferior capacity. (The case suggests the thought of) the moon almost full. There will be good fortune.
- Line 6 上六
上六：女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。
The sixth line, divided, shows the young lady bearing the basket, but without anything in it, and the gentleman slaughtering the sheep, but without blood flowing from it. There will be no advantage in any way.