Hexagram 56: The Wanderer

Hexagram 56, The Wanderer (Lǚ, 旅), is formed of the upper trigram Fire (离) over the lower trigram Mountain (艮). 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 Fire describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Mountain describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of The Wanderer.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 The wanderer fussing over trifles draws misfortune on himself.旅琐琐，斯其所取灾。
• 六二 · Line 2 The wanderer reaches an inn, means intact, and wins a loyal young helper.旅即次，怀其资，得童仆，贞。
• 九三 · Line 3 The wanderer's inn burns; the helper is lost. Persistence is perilous.旅焚其次，丧其童仆，贞厉。
• 九四 · Line 4 The wanderer finds shelter and provisions — yet the heart is uneasy.旅于处，得其资斧，我心不快。
• 六五 · Line 5 One arrow brings down the pheasant: in the end, praise and appointment.射雉，一矢亡；终以誉命。
• 上九 · Line 6 The bird's nest burns: the wanderer laughs first, then wails. The ox lost in easy ground — misfortune.鸟焚其巢，旅人先笑后号啕；丧牛于易，凶。

Reading Hexagram 56 for Your Question

When The Wanderer 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 Wanderer to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.