Hexagram 44
姤 Gòu
Coming to Meet
☰ Heaven above ☴ Wind
Judgment 卦辭
女壯。勿用取女。
Commentary
The maiden is powerful. One should not marry such a maiden. After being eliminated, darkness unexpectedly obtrudes again from within and below. The inferior element seems harmless and inviting—you imagine you may dally with it and come to no harm. The inferior rises only because the superior doesn't regard it as dangerous and lends it power. If resisted from the first, it could never gain influence. But meeting can also be important: when elements predestined to be joined come together halfway, the world prospers. The meeting must be free of ulterior motives.
Classical Text
姤巽下乾上 姤，女壯，勿用取女。
Gou (Encounter): Xun below, Qian above. Encounter. The woman is strong. Do not take this woman in marriage.
Image 象
天下有風，姤。后以施命誥四方。
Wind blows beneath heaven, reaching everywhere. The ruler is far from the people but sets them in motion by means of commands. Influence exercised from above.
Lines 爻辭
繫于金柅貞吉有攸往見凶羸豕孚蹢躅
Check it at once with a brake of bronze. Persistence brings good fortune. Let it take its course and experience misfortune. Even a lean pig has it in him to rage around. An inferior element that has wormed its way in must be energetically checked immediately. Its insignificance should not tempt you to underrate it—a young pig, once grown strong, reveals its true nature.
Classical commentary
初六，繫于金柅，貞吉。有攸往，見凶。羸豕孚蹢躅。
Initial Six: Tied to a bronze brake — Correctness brings good fortune. If there is somewhere to go, one meets misfortune. A lean pig faithfully stamps its hooves.
包有魚無咎不利賓
There is a fish in the tank. No blame. Does not further guests. The inferior element is kept under gentle control, not overcome by violence. Nothing evil is to be feared. But don't let it come in contact with those further away—once free, it would unfold its evil aspects unchecked.
Classical commentary
《象》曰：包有魚，義不及賓也。
The Image says: 'In the kitchen there is a fish' — in meaning it does not extend to the guest.
臀無膚其行次且厲無大咎
No skin on his thighs, walking comes hard. If mindful of the danger, no great mistake is made. Temptation to fall in with the evil offering itself. Fortunately, circumstances prevent this. Painful indecision in behavior, but clear insight into danger avoids more serious mistakes.
Classical commentary
九三，臀无膚，其行次且，厲，无大咎。
Nine in the Third: The buttocks have no skin; one's movement is halting. Danger, but no great blame.
包無魚起凶
No fish in the tank. This leads to misfortune. Insignificant people must be tolerated to keep them well disposed—then they're at your disposal when needed. Become alienated, fail to meet them halfway, and they turn their backs. Your own fault.
Classical commentary
九四，包无魚，起凶。
Nine in the Fourth: In the kitchen there is no fish. Rising up brings misfortune.
以杞包瓜含章有隕自天
A melon covered with willow leaves. Hidden lines. Then it drops from heaven. A strong, superior person tolerates and protects the inferiors in their charge without laying stress on their own firm lines of order. No tiresome admonitions—trust in the transforming power of an upright personality. Fate is favorable; inferiors respond like ripe fruit.
Classical commentary
九五，以杞包瓜，含章，有隕自天。
Nine in the Fifth: With willow wrapping a melon, containing inner brilliance — something falls from Heaven.
姤其角吝無咎
He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation, but no blame. When withdrawn from the world, you may hold yourself aloof from all that is low and rebuff it brusquely. You're reproached for being proud and distant, but since active duties no longer hold you, this doesn't greatly matter. Bear the dislike of the masses with composure.
Classical commentary
《象》曰：姤其角，上窮吝也。
The Image says: 'Encountering its horns' — at the top, exhausted, there is regret.