Gui Mei

Judgment

歸妹 征 凶 无攸利

It is bad if conquer. There will be no benefit

Interpretation

The Gwimae Hexagram has Jin (Thunder) in the upper trigram and Tae (Lake) in the lower trigram. Jin represents thunder, and Tae represents a lake. The image of this hexagram shows thunder above a lake. When the weather warms, thunder rises over the lake. This symbolizes spring, a time when men and women marry. Gwimae means that a woman is getting married.

In the commentary, Yu refers to a place or a location, while the story of King Ji of the Yin Dynasty sending his daughter to marry King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty is mentioned. However, the result of that marriage was not favorable.

For someone who draws this hexagram, it suggests that they should recognize that a momentary emotion can lead to irreversible regret and that they should avoid making rash decisions driven by fleeting feelings. The hexagram warns that if you rush into things driven by temporary emotions, it may lead to unfavorable outcomes. When thunder is above the lake, it is a good time for marriage in spring, but marriage should not be based solely on transient emotions. A marriage formed hastily out of fleeting feelings is difficult to sustain. Rushing into things impulsively can bring harm, and taking a step back to proceed more cautiously will lead to a better outcome without ruining the larger picture.

初九 歸妹以娣,跛能履,征吉

Initial Nine: Return to your mate, despite being limping, good fortune.

Gwi refers to marriage. Mae refers to a young woman. Je refers to a younger sister. Pa means a lame person, which refers to walking. The phrase "Gwi Mae Je" refers to a woman going to her marriage with her younger sister. In noble families, it was common for the younger sister to accompany the daughter being married. The lame person walking refers to a woman’s marriage, symbolizing the transition. The oracle indicates a favorable situation, as things will unfold positively when sought.

九二 眇能視,利幽人之貞

Nine Second: Blind, able to see, beneficial for those in isolation.

The word "Grave" refers to blindness, and "Yes" means to be trapped. The hexagram suggests that despite adversity, hope is restored. A difficult situation transforms into one of possibility, and the person will experience growth and positive change.

六三 歸妹以須,反歸以娣

Six Third: Return to your mate, the reverse with the youngest.

The term "Su" refers to the letter "su," used for a younger sister. "Bangwi" refers to being cast out from one’s in-law’s house and returning home. The person asking about the hexagram is in a situation where there is a sudden and unforeseen return to their family, possibly due to a conflict or separation. The task will involve significant setbacks and unforeseen circumstances.

九四 歸妹愆期,遲歸有時

Nine Fourth: Return with delay, the timing is wrong.

Delays persist despite hopes. The task at hand will not be fulfilled due to forces beyond control.

六五 帝乙歸妹,其君之袂不如其娣之袂良、月幾望,吉.

Six Fifth: Emperor Yi returns to the mate, the sleeve of the ruler is not as good as the younger sister’s, with a moon's nearing, good fortune.

Jie marries his daughter to King Wen with her less beautiful sister, yet timing after the full moon ensures fortune. The task at hand will favor the object over the subject, requiring focus, but proper timing will make it auspicious.

上六 女承筐无實,士刲羊无血,无攸利

Top Six: The woman carrying the basket has no fruit, the warrior slays the lamb without blood, no use.

The woman offers an empty basket and the man stabs a bloodless sheep, ill omens for Jie’s marriage to Wen. The task at hand meets no response, shattering cruelly with no benefit.