Hexagram 54: The Marrying Maiden

Hexagram 54, The Marrying Maiden (Guī Mèi, 归妹), is formed of the upper trigram Thunder (震) over the lower trigram Lake (兑). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Thunder describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Lake describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of The Marrying Maiden.

The Six Lines

• 初九 · Line 1 Married as the younger consort: the lame can still walk — advancing brings good fortune.归妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
• 九二 · Line 2 The half-blind can still see: the quiet one's steadfastness furthers.眇能视，利幽人之贞。
• 六三 · Line 3 Marrying while grasping for rank, she returns to marry as the younger.归妹以须，反归以娣。
• 九四 · Line 4 The marriage delayed past its date: the late union has its season.归妹愆期，迟归有时。
• 六五 · Line 5 Emperor Yi's daughter weds in sleeves plainer than her maid's; the moon nearly full — good fortune.帝乙归妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良；月几望，吉。
• 上六 · Line 6 She lifts a basket with nothing in it; he sacrifices a ram that gives no blood. Nothing furthers.女承筐，无实；士刲羊，无血。无攸利。

Reading Hexagram 54 for Your Question

When The Marrying Maiden appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of The Marrying Maiden to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.