Zhouyi, received text. Traditional characters are retained from the electronic reference; punctuation is editorial.
A contemporary perspective
Examine an unequal arrangement and the choices available. Do not let urgency erase your needs.
This is Fatefold’s original reflective interpretation, not a word-for-word translation or a classical prediction about a modern question.
Classical line statements · bottom to top
01
初九 歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
02
九二 眇能視，利幽人之貞。
03
六三 歸妹以須，反歸以娣。
04
九四 歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。
05
六五 帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良。月幾望，吉。
06
上六 女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。
Read the structure
The lower trigram is Dui · Lake; the upper is Zhen · Thunder. The six lines describe positions and stages within one situation, rather than six independent answers. Examine an unequal arrangement and the choices available. Do not let urgency erase your needs.
The Tuan discusses the judgment through polarity, position and timing. Its conditions belong with the judgment; an isolated favorable or unfavorable word does not settle a whole situation.
Great Image · from pattern to conduct
澤上有雷，歸妹。君子以永終知敝。
The Great Image turns The Marrying Maiden into a model for conduct. Alongside divinatory language, this layer asks how to act. Consider whether your approach to the marrying maiden fits the actual conditions.
Line-by-line commentary
初九 · 1
歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。
《小象》：歸妹以娣，以恒也；跛能履，吉，相承也。
A limited position can still permit useful action.
The first line concerns an initial stage and its readiness.
九二 · 2
眇能視，利幽人之貞。
《小象》：利幽人之貞，未變常也。
Limited visibility calls for an inwardly sound principle.
Line two is central within the lower trigram; consider nearby coordination. Centrality is not an automatic favorable verdict.
六三 · 3
歸妹以須，反歸以娣。
《小象》：歸妹以須，未當也。
An unsuitable role calls for reassessment.
Line three ends the lower trigram and invites attention to a threshold and its pressures.
九四 · 4
歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。
《小象》：愆期之志，有待而行也。
A delayed commitment need not be corrected through haste.
Line four enters the upper trigram; consider a transition of setting or responsibility.
六五 · 5
帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良。月幾望，吉。
《小象》：帝乙歸妹，不如其娣之袂良也，其位在中，以貴行也。
Adornment does not establish worth or a suitable position.
Line five is central in the upper trigram; consider responsibility and the use of resources.
上六 · 6
女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。
《小象》：上六无實，承虛筐也。
A ceremony without substance cannot fulfill its purpose.
The top line ends this pattern; consider excess, closure and a next stage.
Relate it to your question
Separate known facts, unconfirmed information and available actions. Which part of this symbol fits, and which does not?
