54 · 歸妹

Judgment

征凶，无攸利。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

1. 初九：歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
2. 九二：眇能視，利幽人之貞。
3. 六三：歸妹以須，反歸以娣。
4. 九四：歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。
5. 六五：帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良，月幾望，吉。
6. 上六：女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。

Tuan commentary

歸妹，天地之大義也。天地不交，而萬物不興，歸妹人之終始也。說以動，所歸妹也。征凶，位不當也。无攸利，柔乘剛也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 归妹

Great Image commentary

澤上有雷，歸妹；君子以永終知敝。

Small Images · bottom to top

1. 歸妹以娣，以恆也。跛能履吉，相承也。
2. 利幽人之貞，未變常也。
3. 歸妹以須，未當也。
4. 愆期之志，有待而行也。
5. 帝乙歸妹，不如其娣之袂良也。其位在中，以貴行也。
6. 上六无實，承虛筐也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Gui Mei through Dui’s joy following Zhen’s movement, with most lines from the second to fifth incorrectly placed. The union lacks correctness and yielding rides firmness, so the judgment warns of inauspicious advance and no benefit.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

1. The first yang line below lacks proper correspondence. The original commentary uses the ancient institution of subordinate spouses and a lame person able to walk; though only assisting, firm, worthy correctness permits advance.
2. Firm yang at the center in the second line corresponds above with incorrectly placed yielding yin, like restricted sight and ability not fully expressed. Hold to the way in quiet independence.
3. Yielding yin in the third line lacks centered correctness and governs Dui’s joy. The original commentary uses an unsuitable marriage and reduction to a subordinate role to explain its improper situation.
4. Yang in the upper fourth line lacks proper correspondence, like a worthy person not forming a relationship lightly, preferring to miss the date and await a fitting partner. Delayed advance has its own time.
5. Yielding strength at the honored center in the fifth line corresponds below with the second, valuing virtue rather than outward clothing. Inner virtue is full like the moon approaching fullness, hence auspiciousness.
6. Yielding yin at the relationship’s end lacks proper correspondence, like an empty basket or slaughtering a sheep without blood. The agreement is not substantially fulfilled, so there is no benefit.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Gui Mei uses ancient marriage relationships as its setting to describe an imbalance of position, sequence and legitimacy in a union. The subordinate spouses and marriage roles in the lines belong to historical institutions and should not be applied directly as norms for modern relationships.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

1. The original commentary uses ancient subordinate marriage and a lame person still able to walk as images. Although only able to assist, firm correctness still permits advance.
2. Firm strength at the center corresponds with someone improper, like limited sight or ability that cannot be fully expressed. Maintain the way independently.
3. The position is neither centered nor correct. The original commentary uses an unsuitable marriage and reduction to a subordinate role to explain a wrongly arranged relationship.
4. Without a proper correspondence, one does not enter a union lightly, preferring to miss the date and wait for a suitable partner. Delayed advance has its own fitting time.
5. Yielding strength at the center values inner virtue rather than outward dress. Like the moon approaching fullness while leaving room, this is auspicious.
6. The relationship reaches its end without substance, like an empty basket or a sheep without blood. The agreement has not truly been fulfilled.

Read the source

• 中国哲学书电子化计划 · 周易
• 维基文库 · 朱熹《周易本义》（四库全书本）卷二