56. Lǚ 旅
WANDERER, TRANSITION, WANDERING
Key Concepts:
inconstancy, travel, movement, separation, searches, strangers, managing people, evaluation, verdict, uncertainty, self-discipline
A concrete result is unattainable; seek new meanings, develop your integrity and spiritual maturity.
Above is the trigram Li (Fire), below is the trigram Gen (Mountain). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is flames consuming the foliage on top of a mountain. Quickly consuming all the foliage on the peak, the flames must descend in search of new fuel. The relationship between these two trigrams symbolizes transience.
This image personifies the need that occasionally compels us to embark on a journey in search of what we cannot find at home. Thus, Lü is the hexagram of the seeking person, the search, the transition from one phase of the situation (or more broadly – life) to another.
This hexagram denotes a situation where a concrete benefit or result is unattainable. All you can do now is simply get through this period, get from point A to point B. But in the absence of a concrete result, we can still gain benefit—experience, inner understanding, spiritual maturity. During this period, it's best to direct your energies not towards achieving a goal but towards your own integrity.
Sometimes it's said that you cannot run away from yourself. Changing places in the external world is not a guarantee that peace and tranquility will ensue in the internal world. But in traveling, a person has the opportunity to find themselves again, even if the journey is long and difficult. What is a journey if not a metaphor for our entire life?
The need for constant movement, even if chaotic and unthought, often stems from our need to find new meanings in our life. Separated from the familiar and known, we must respectfully adapt to unfamiliar places and customs and treat strangers with kindness and respect. Traveling (especially in ancient China) is a dangerous and difficult endeavor. Fire on the Mountain is a sign for the traveler, but you should continue moving and not linger, remembering the ultimate goal of your journey.
This image personifies the need that occasionally compels us to embark on a journey in search of what we cannot find at home. Thus, Lü is the hexagram of the seeking person, the search, the transition from one phase of the situation (or more broadly – life) to another.
This hexagram denotes a situation where a concrete benefit or result is unattainable. All you can do now is simply get through this period, get from point A to point B. But in the absence of a concrete result, we can still gain benefit—experience, inner understanding, spiritual maturity. During this period, it's best to direct your energies not towards achieving a goal but towards your own integrity.
Sometimes it's said that you cannot run away from yourself. Changing places in the external world is not a guarantee that peace and tranquility will ensue in the internal world. But in traveling, a person has the opportunity to find themselves again, even if the journey is long and difficult. What is a journey if not a metaphor for our entire life?
The need for constant movement, even if chaotic and unthought, often stems from our need to find new meanings in our life. Separated from the familiar and known, we must respectfully adapt to unfamiliar places and customs and treat strangers with kindness and respect. Traveling (especially in ancient China) is a dangerous and difficult endeavor. Fire on the Mountain is a sign for the traveler, but you should continue moving and not linger, remembering the ultimate goal of your journey.
I Ching Talking
In wandering, you will stay in place. You will find your means for the journey. But in your own soul, there is no peace.
Hexagram Line Descriptions
If in wandering you are timid about small things, you will thereby invite trouble upon yourself.
Disregarding the values of others can lead you only to failure.
In wandering, restore order. Tuck your wealth under your arm and you will find steadfastness in servants and slaves.
Thanks to a calm, sober attitude towards life, you will acquire a valuable friend.
In wandering, you will burn this order. Lose servants and slaves. Steadfastness is terrible.
Insistence and impudence may repel those few who support you currently.
In wandering, you will stay in place. You will find your means for the journey. But in your own soul, there is no peace.
The instability of your situation begins to tire you.
You shoot a pheasant, one arrow is lost. But in the end, you will be praised from above.
You may need to find a way to win over those whose favor you seek.
Birds' nests are burned. The wanderer first laughs, then screams and cries. Lose an ox in the square. Misfortune.
If you treat others' problems superficially, those problems may come to you.