Hexagram 54 · ䷵
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
Judgment
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
Image
Thunder above the lake represents the Marrying Maiden. The noble person keeps the end in view and understands what decays.
Lines
The marrying maiden as concubine. A lame man able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune. A one-eyed man able to see. Perseverance of a secluded man brings good fortune. The mar...
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
The Marrying Maiden is the great significance of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, all creatures fail to prosper. The Marrying Maiden is the end and beginning of humanity. Joy and movement: the Marrying Maiden goes. Undertakings bring misfortune because her place is not the proper one. Nothing that would further: the yielding rides on the hard.
The Marrying Maiden expresses a great principle of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, the myriad things cannot flourish. The Marrying Maiden marks the end and beginning of human relationships. Joy moves her to go. Undertakings bring misfortune because the position is not proper. Nothing furthers because the yielding rides upon the hard.
Thunder over the lake: the image of the Marrying Maiden. The noble person through the ending foreknows the beginning.
Thunder above the lake represents the Marrying Maiden. The noble person keeps the end in view and understands what decays.
The marrying maiden as a concubine. A lame man who is able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune.
The marrying maiden as concubine. A lame man able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune.
Small Image
The marrying maiden as a concubine: the purpose is continued thereby. A lame man who is able to tread: good fortune comes through acting in the right place.
Marrying maiden as concubine continues purpose. Lame man treading brings good fortune through right place.
A one-eyed man who is able to see. The perseverance of a secluded man brings good fortune.
A one-eyed man able to see. Perseverance of a secluded man brings good fortune.
Small Image
The perseverance of a secluded man brings good fortune: he has not changed his constant nature.
Secluded man's perseverance brings good fortune—unchanged constant nature.
The marrying maiden as a slave. She marries as a concubine.
The marrying maiden as slave. She marries as concubine.
Small Image
The marrying maiden as a slave: she does not act in the right place.
Marrying maiden as slave means not acting in right place.
The marrying maiden draws out the allotted time. A late marriage comes in due course.
The marrying maiden draws out the allotted time. Late marriage comes in due course.
Small Image
The allotted time is drawn out: the purpose is to act after waiting.
Drawing out allotted time means acting after waiting.
The sovereign Yi gave his daughter in marriage. The embroidered garments of the princess were not as gorgeous as those of the servingmaid. The moon that is nearly full brings good fortune.
Sovereign Yi gave his daughter in marriage. Princess's garments not as gorgeous as servingmaid's. Nearly full moon brings good fortune.
Small Image
The embroidered garments of the princess were not as gorgeous as those of the servingmaid: her position is in the middle; she gives herself to noble conduct.
Princess's garments less gorgeous than servingmaid's—position in middle, noble conduct.
The woman holds the basket, but there are no fruits in it. The man stabs the sheep, but no blood flows. Nothing that acts to further.
Woman holds basket but no fruits. Man stabs sheep but no blood flows. Nothing acts to further.
Small Image
She holds a basket but there are no fruits in it: she carries an empty basket.
Holding basket with no fruits means carrying empty basket.
What does Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden mean in the I Ching?
The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further.
How should I study Hexagram 54 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The marrying maiden as concubine. A lame man able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune. A one-eyed man able to see. Perseverance of a secluded man brings good fortune. The mar...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
The Marrying Maiden expresses a great principle of heaven and earth. If heaven and earth do not unite, the myriad things cannot flourish. The Marrying Maiden marks the end and beginning of human relationships. Joy moves...
Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.
Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.