The Marrying Maiden (Guī Mèi)

Judgment

归妹：征凶，无攸利。

Plain Meaning：The marrying maiden: advancing brings misfortune, nothing furthers—union out of proper order.

Image (Great Commentary)

泽上有雷，归妹；君子以永终知敝。

Line Texts

• 初九归妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。

  Married as a junior consort—the lame can still walk; accepting one’s place, fortune.

• 九二眇能视，利幽人之贞。

  The one-eyed can still see—the quiet one’s steadfastness furthers.

• 六三归妹以须，反归以娣。

  Waiting to marry above her station, she returns as a junior consort.

• 九四归妹愆期，迟归有时。

  The wedding delayed—better late for the right match; its time will come.

• 六五帝乙归妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良，月几望，吉。

  Di Yi weds his sister plainly clad—virtue over adornment; the moon nearly full, fortune.

• 上六女承筐无实，士刲羊无血，无攸利。

  The maiden’s basket empty, the ram yields no blood—hollow forms profit nothing.

Symbolism

Thunder over the lake: union moved by desire out of order.

Life Lesson

Unions need legitimacy and substance; hasty bonds rarely end well.

Modern Application

In love or deals, don’t lower the bar out of urgency—better late than wrong.

Words of Caution

A relationship of empty forms cannot last.