Gui Mei
Subordinate Position
When you receive Hexagram 54, Gui Mei, the I Ching turns your attention to subordinate position. The Marrying Maiden. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.
The Judgment
The Marrying Maiden. Action will bring misfortune, and in no wise advantageous.
Classical (Legge)Kwei Mei indicates that (under the conditions which it denotes) action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.
The Image
Thunder above the lake. Gui Mei. The centered one, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief that may be done at the beginning.
Classical (Legge)(The trigrams representing) thunder above and the waters of a marsh below form Kwei Mei. The superior man, in accordance with this, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief (that may be done at the beginning).
The Changing Lines
The younger sister is married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. Like a person lame on one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.
Classical (Legge)The younger sister is married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. (It suggests the idea of) a person lame on one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.
She squints with one eye, and yet can see. It furthers to maintaining the firm and correct of a solitary widow.
Classical (Legge)She squints with one eye, and yet can see. There will be advantage in her maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow.
The younger sister who was to be married off is in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.
Classical (Legge)The younger sister who was to be married off is in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.
The young lady who should be married off has protracted the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.
Classical (Legge)The (young lady who was to be) married off has protracted the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.
The sovereign gave his younger sister in marriage. The sleeves of the princess were not equal to those of the still younger sister who accompanied her. The moon almost full brings good fortune.
Classical (Legge)The sovereign I gave his younger sister in marriage. The sleeves of the princess were not equal to those of the (still younger) sister who accompanied her. The moon almost full brings good fortune.
The lady bears the basket, but without anything in it. The gentleman slaughters the sheep, but without blood flowing from it. There will be no advantage in any way.
Classical (Legge)The lady bears the basket, but without anything in it. The gentleman slaughters the sheep, but without blood (flowing from it). There will be no advantage in any way.
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