I Ching hexagram
54. Improper Advances
歸妹Guī Mèi
Thunder over Lake
Also called The Marrying Maiden, The Symbol of the Marriage of the Younger Sister, Marriageable Maiden, The Marrying Girl, Subordinate, The Second Wife, Converting Maidenhood, Returning maiden, Making a young girl marry, Marrying a young girl, Marrying a Maiden, Unilateral Action, Impropriety, Improper Advances, "Deals with life and death, sex and birth. It contains a warning about a person or situation. It deals essentially with discrimination. The first step on the Path without which we are useless." -- D.F. Hook
Hexagram 54, Improper Advances (歸妹 Guī Mèi) is formed by Thunder over Lake. It is also known as The Marrying Maiden, The Symbol of the Marriage of the Younger Sister, Marriageable Maiden, The Marrying Girl, Subordinate, The Second Wife, Converting Maidenhood, Returning maiden.
Legge
Read as
The judgment
Legge
征凶，无攸利。
Propriety indicates that action will be evil, and in no wise advantageous.
The six lines
line 1 is at the bottom
- Line 1Yang
歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
You may feel insignificant in this situation, but you've been granted the trust of someone in a higher position. By remaining humble, you can ensure your safety and subtly influence the situation.
- Line 2Yang
眇能視，利幽人之貞。
The current circumstances are disappointing. It falls to you to uphold the original vision. Your dedication and loyalty will eventually lead to advancement.
- Line 3Yin
歸妹以須，反歸以娣。
To fulfill your desires, you will need to relinquish some of your own identity.
- Line 4Yang
歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。
You are now in a position where you must refrain from acting and wait for a more favorable time. It may seem like opportunities are passing you by, but staying true to your principles will bring rewards.
- Line 5Yin
帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良，月幾望，吉。
When you can set aside your social standing and serve others, you will find good fortune. Overcoming vanity and pride is essential. Putting others first, regardless of their status, is beneficial now.
- Line 6Yin
女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。
Are you merely going through the motions? Is there substance to the polished image you present? If you're only following the rules superficially, it's not worth it. Nothing will come from it.
When this hexagram changes
These are the moves that have come up most often in readings. Each page keeps the book text.
Use this hexagram in a reading
These are the same judgment and lines that appear when hexagram 54 comes up in a cast. Ask a question to see which lines change, or keep a journal of your readings. The throw uses the odds of three coins: how a reading is cast.