Hexagram 51: Zhen

Judgment

亨。震來虩虩，笑言啞啞。震驚百里，不喪匕鬯。

Kăn gives the intimation of ease and development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred lî, he will be (like the sincere worshipper) who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits.

The verdict starts with progress. When thunder arrives people are afraid, then they laugh and talk again, and even a crash that rattles the district does not make the person at the altar drop the ladle and the wine.

Image

洊雷，震；君子以恐懼修省。

(The trigram representing) thunder, being repeated, forms Kăn. The superior man, in accordance with this, is fearful and apprehensive, cultivates (his virtue), and examines (his faults).

Line 1 · 初九

震來虩虩，後笑言啞啞，吉。

The first line, undivided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, looking out and around with apprehension, and afterwards smiling and talking cheerfully. There will be good fortune.

The thunder arrives and you are frightened, then later you laugh and talk freely again. Being afraid at the start is what gets you to that ease.

Line 2 · 六二

震來厲，億喪貝，躋于九陵，勿逐，七日得。

The second line, divided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, in a position of peril. He judges it better to let go the articles (in his possession), and to ascend a very lofty height. There is no occasion for him to pursue after (the things he has let go); in seven days he will find them.

The thunder is dangerous and you lose your valuables, so you climb to high ground. Do not chase what is gone, because the text says you get it back in seven days.

Line 3 · 六三

震蘇蘇，震行无眚。

The third line, divided, shows its subject distraught amid the startling movements going on. If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake.

You are dazed and uneasy as the thunder rolls. If the shock moves you to correct your course, nothing goes wrong.

Line 4 · 九四

震遂泥。

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.

The shock leaves you sunk in mud, caught between weaker forces on either side and unable to rouse yourself.

Line 5 · 六五

震往來厲，億无喪，有事。

The fifth line, divided, shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements (of the time), and always in peril; but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business (which he can accomplish).

Thunder comes and goes again and again, and the situation stays dangerous. If you hold to the center, nothing is lost and your task stays in your hands.

Line 6 · 上六

震索索，視矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其鄰，无咎。婚媾有言。

The topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension. If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.

You tremble and glance about in terror, and rushing ahead leads to trouble. Preparing while the thunder is still at a neighbor's door is the sound move, though relatives may grumble.