Hexagram 51 · 震

Thunder stands above thunder, repeating the force of sudden movement. A firm beginning stirs the yielding lines around it in each trigram. Zhen means a shock or arousing movement. Its image asks how one can remain responsible when an unexpected event interrupts a familiar rhythm.

1. Line 1 · 初九

   震來虩虩，後笑言啞啞，吉。

   Thunder comes with trembling; afterward there is laughter and lively speech. Good fortune.

   Nine in the first place is yang initiating the disturbance and learning a sound response. The Small Image connects fear with restored measure, like regaining composure after unexpected feedback and asking a useful question.

2. Line 2 · 六二

   震來厲，億喪貝，躋于九陵，勿逐，七日得。

   Thunder comes with danger. One reckons the shells lost and climbs the nine hills. Do not pursue them; in seven days they are recovered.

   Six in the second place is central yin above a forceful yang line. The Small Image stresses that pressure, like leaving a disrupted task temporarily rather than chasing every detail in confusion; the seven days are classical imagery.

3. Line 3 · 六三

   震蘇蘇，震行无眚。

   Thunder leaves one unsettled. Acting in response to the shock brings no error.

   Six in the third place is yin in an unsuitable position but capable of adjustment. The Small Image notes the mismatch, like using an unexpected review to move into a role better suited to one's skills.

4. Line 4 · 九四

   震遂泥。

   Thunder sinks into the mud.

   Nine in the fourth place is yang whose movement lacks a clear path. The Small Image finds its light incomplete, like repeatedly discussing a sudden problem without assigning anyone a practical next step.

5. Line 5 · 六五

   震往來厲，億无喪，有事。

   Thunder comes and goes with danger. One reckons that nothing is lost; there are affairs to attend to.

   Six in the fifth place is central yin amid repeated disturbance. The Small Image locates the essential task in the center, like keeping basic service running while a workplace changes around it.

6. Line 6 · 上六

   震索索，視矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其鄰，无咎。婚媾有言。

   Thunder brings trembling and startled glances. Advancing brings misfortune. If the shock reaches the neighbor rather than oneself, there is no blame. Marriage partners have words of complaint.

   Six at the top is yin unsettled at shock's extreme. The Small Image values taking warning from nearby disturbance, like reviewing one's own arrangements after another team's disruption without rushing into an unnecessary change.

Allow the first surprise to pass before making a major choice. Check what remains essential, learn from the disturbance, and act with recovered proportion.

• Nuclear蹇39
• Inverted艮52
• Opposite巽57
• Previous鼎50
• Next艮52