Propriety/Making-Do

歸妹 (guī mèi)
Hexagram 54 • Binary: 001011

Trigrams

Upper: Thunder

Attribute: Arousing
Element: Wood
Direction: East
Family: Eldest Son

Lower: Lake

Attribute: Joyous
Element: Metal
Direction: West
Family: Youngest Daughter

Palace

Dui Palace

Element: Metal
Ruling Trigram: lake

Judgment

Propriety indicates that action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.

Image

The waters of a Marsh with Thunder over it form the hexagram of Propriety. The superior man, in accordance with this, having regard to the far-distant end, knows the mischief that may be done at the beginning.

Lines

1

Position 1: Ancillary Position yin

The first line, dynamic, shows the young woman married off in a position ancillary to the real wife. It suggests the idea of a person lame in one leg who yet manages to tramp along. Going forward will be fortunate.

2

Position 2: Partial Vision yin

The second line, dynamic, shows her blind of one eye, and yet able to see. There will be advantage in her maintaining the firm correctness of a solitary widow.

3

Position 3: Returning to Subordinate Position yang

The third line, magnetic, shows the young woman who was to be married off in a mean position. She returns and accepts an ancillary position.

4

Position 4: Delayed Marriage yin

The fourth line, dynamic, shows the young woman who is to be married off protracting the time. She may be late in being married, but the time will come.

5

Position 5: Modest Wedding yang

The fifth line, magnetic, reminds us of the marrying of the younger sister of King Ti-yi, when the sleeves of the princess were not equal to those of the still younger sister who accompanied her in an inferior capacity. The case suggests the thought of the moon almost full. There will be good fortune.

6

Position 6: Empty Ritual yang

The sixth line, magnetic, shows the young lady bearing the basket, but without anything in it, and the gentleman slaughtering the sheep, but without any blood flowing from it. There will be no advantage in any way.