The 64 Hexagrams / 51
Hexagram 51 · ䷲
The Arousing Thunder
震 · Zhèn
Upper Thunder 震Lower Thunder 震
The Judgment · 卦辭
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 Image · 大象
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).
Plain-English Meaning
Shock and awakening. A jolt arrives; meet it with composure and learn from it.
The Judgment
After the shock comes laughter; the steady one keeps calm.
The Image
Like thunder upon thunder, examine your life with care and respect.
Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.
The Lines · 爻辭
- 初九 · Line 1震來虩虩,後笑言啞啞,吉。The first NINE, 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.象曰:震來虩虩,恐致福也。笑言啞啞,後有則也。
- 六二 · Line 2震來厲,億喪貝,躋于九陵,勿逐,七日得。The second SIX, 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.象曰:震來厲,乘剛也。
- 六三 · Line 3震蘇蘇,震行无眚。The third six, divided, shows its subject distraught amid the startling movements going on. If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake.象曰:震蘇蘇,位不當也。
- 九四 · Line 4震遂泥。The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.象曰:震遂泥,未光也。
- 六五 · Line 5震往來厲,億无喪,有事。The fifth SIX, 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).象曰:震往來厲,危行也。其事在中,大无喪也。
- 上六 · Line 6震索索,視矍矍,征凶。震不于其躬,于其鄰,无咎。婚媾有言。The topmost SIX, 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.象曰:震索索,中未得也。雖凶无咎,畏鄰戒也。
English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.