56 · 旅
Hexagram 56, 旅. Original Chinese judgment: 小亨，旅貞吉。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
小亨，旅貞吉。
Line texts
- 初六：旅瑣瑣，斯其所取災。
- 六二：旅即次，懷其資，得童僕貞。
- 九三：旅焚其次，喪其童僕，貞厲。
- 九四：旅于處，得其資斧，我心不快。
- 六五：射雉一矢亡，終以譽命。
- 上九：鳥焚其巢，旅人先笑後號咷。喪牛于易，凶。
Tuan commentary
旅，小亨，柔得中乎外，而順乎剛，止而麗乎明，是以小亨，旅貞吉也。旅之時義大矣哉！
Great Image commentary
山上有火，旅；君子以明慎用刑，而不留獄。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 旅瑣瑣，志窮災也。
- 得童僕貞，終无尤也。
- 旅焚其次，亦以傷矣。以旅與下，其義喪也。
- 旅于處，未得位也。得其資斧，心未快也。
- 終以譽命，上逮也。
- 以旅在上，其義焚也。喪牛于易，終莫之聞也。
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》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Lu’s unsettled sojourn through a mountain stopping below and fire flaming above. The fifth yin line holds the center in the outer trigram, with Gen stopping and Li attaching to clarity, allowing only modest progress. Even without a permanent home, never depart from correctness.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- Yielding yin at the lowest position in the journey is trapped in petty details and constricted purpose. Harm arises from its own handling of affairs.
- Yielding, centered correctness in the second line has secure lodging, retained resources and a trustworthy attendant, the most auspicious condition in Lu.
- Excessive firmness without the center in the third line, at the top of the lower trigram, burns the lodging and loses the attendant’s loyalty. Treating subordinates thus during a journey inevitably brings danger.
- Yang in a yin fourth position can use yielding conduct below, temporarily securing lodging and resources. Yet incorrect position and lack of firm companions above and below leave the heart uneasy.
- Yielding, cultivated clarity at the center in the fifth line is like shooting a pheasant with the loss of only one arrow. Limited cost can ultimately bring esteem and appointment from above.
- Excessive firmness at the top of the journey and Li’s clarity is arrogant and unresponsive, like a bird burning its nest. Joy becomes sorrow and carelessness loses the ox, ending inauspiciously.
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
Lu describes sojourning away from home without a lasting place to stay. A guest can seek only modest progress and especially needs discernment, knowing when to stop and attachment to a proper place. Even a brief stay must not depart from the proper way.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- At the lowest position in the journey, one is caught in petty details and constricted aims. Trouble comes from one's own manner of handling things.
- Yielding, centered correctness brings lodging, retained resources and a trustworthy attendant during the journey: this is the most settled condition.
- Excessive firmness burns the lodging and loses the attendant's loyalty. Treating people this way while away naturally makes the situation dangerous.
- Yielding conduct temporarily secures shelter and resources, but the position is not correct and companions are lacking, so the heart remains uneasy.
- Yielding, cultivated clarity holds the center, like shooting a pheasant at the cost of only one arrow. A limited cost gains esteem and appointment.
- Excessive firmness becomes arrogant and unresponsive, like a bird whose nest burns. Joy turns to sorrow, and carelessness brings loss of everything.