The Arousing (Zhèn)

Judgment

震：亨。震来虩虩，笑言哑哑。震惊百里，不丧匕鬯。

Plain Meaning：Shock brings success: terror first, then laughter; thunder startles a hundred miles, yet the officiant spills not a drop.

Image (Great Commentary)

洊雷，震；君子以恐惧修省。

Line Texts

• 初九震来虩虩，后笑言哑哑，吉。

  Fearful at the shock, laughing after—fortune through vigilance.

• 六二震来厉，亿丧贝，跻于九陵，勿逐，七日得。

  Shock brings danger and loss—climb the heights; do not chase, in seven days it returns.

• 六三震苏苏，震行无眚。

  Trembling distraught—move on carefully and no harm comes.

• 九四震遂泥。

  The shock bogs down in mud—vigor lost.

• 六五震往来厉，亿无丧，有事。

  Shock coming and going—danger; with measure nothing is lost, duties are kept.

• 上六震索索，视矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其邻，无咎。婚媾有言。

  Trembling and darting eyes—advancing is ominous; warned by the neighbor’s shock, no blame, though kin murmur.

Symbolism

Thunder upon thunder: upheaval that awakens.

Life Lesson

Let shocks trigger reflection, not panic; keep composure amid upheaval.

Modern Application

In sudden turbulence, protect the core and learn from the aftershock.

Words of Caution

Sinking into the mud after the shock wastes its lesson.