姤 Gòu Encountering (Coming to meet) [hexagram 44]
Heaven over Wind/Wood
Metal element
Lunar month: 5 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
The Descision
‘Encountering’ – the young woman is coercive, an unsuitable partner.
An unexpected encounter – the weak bumps into the strong. ‘An unsuitable partner’ – it cannot last long. Heaven and earth join generating the huge variety of living things. When strength reaches the middle and correct position all under heaven will prosper. Crucial is the appropriate handling of chance encounters.
姤: 女壮, 勿用取女. Gòu: nǚ zhuàng, wù yòng qǔ nǚ.
彖传: 姤, 遇也, 柔遇刚也. 勿用取女, 不可与长也. 天地相遇, 品物咸章也. 刚遇中正, 天下大行也. 姤之时义大矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Gòu, yù yě, róu yù gāng yě. wù yòng qǔ nǚ, bù kě yǔ cháng yě. tiān dì xiāng yù, pǐn wù xián zhāng yě. gāng yù zhōng zhèng, tiān xià dà xíng yě. gòu zhī shí yì dà yǐ zāi!
The Image
Sky above wind forms ‘Encountering’. Leaders issue orders and laws to all four corners of the land.
象传: 天下有风, 姤; 后以施命诰四方. Xiàng zhuàn: Tiān xià yǒu fēng, gòu; hòu yǐ shī mìng gào sì fāng.
Impeded by a strong brake. Steadfastness brings good luck. If let free to take own course, then misfortune. A hungry pig is sure to rove around.
‘Impeded by a strong brake’ – the weak needs tying down.
初六: 系于金柅, 贞吉, 有攸往, 见凶, 羸豕孚蹢躅. Chū liù: jì yú jīn nǐ, zhēn jí, yǒu yōu wǎng, jiàn xiōng, léi shǐ fú dí zhú.
象传: 系于金柅, 柔道牵也. Xiàng zhuàn: Xì yú jīn nǐ, róu dào qiān yě.
There are fish in the net. Nothing is at fault but not favorable to the guests.
‘There are fish in the net’ – not appropriate to be given to the guests.
九二: 包有鱼, 无咎, 不利宾. Jiǔ èr: bāo yǒu yú, wú jiù, bù lì bīn.
象传: 包有鱼, 义不及宾也. Xiàng zhuàn: Bāo yǒu yú, yì bù jí bīn yě.
Raw, painful backside. Walking slowly with difficulty. Awkward but no great mistake.
‘Walking slowly with difficulty’ – the course has not yet been fixed.
九三: 臀无肤, 其行次且, 厉, 无大咎. Jiǔ sān: tún wú fū, qí xíng cì qiě, lì, wú dà jiù.
象传: 其行次且, 行未牵也. Xiàng zhuàn: Qí xíng cì qiě, xíng wèi qiān yě.
There are no fish in the net – misfortune will develop.
The misfortune of ‘no fish in the net’ is due to keeping aloof from others.
九四: 包无鱼, 起凶. Jiǔ sì: bāo wú yú, qǐ xiōng.
象传: 无鱼之凶, 远民也. Xiàng zhuàn: Wú yú zhī xiōng, yuàn mín yě.
Willow leaves wrapping a melon. Concealing talent will bring down reward from Heaven.
‘Concealing talent’ – form the middle and correct place. ‘Bring down reward from Heaven’ – obeying the higher purpose.
九五: 以杞包瓜, 含章, 有陨自天. Jiǔ wǔ: yǐ qǐ bāo guā, hán zhāng, yǒu yǔn zì tiān.
象传: 九五含章, 中正也. 有陨自天, 志不舍命也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jiǔ wǔ hán zhāng, zhōng zhèng yě. Yǒu yǔn zì tiān, zhì bù shè mìng yě.
Encountering horns. Embarrassing but not to blame.
‘Encountering horns’ – reaching the topmost is exhausting and a cause for regret.
上九: 姤其角, 吝, 无咎. Shàng jiǔ: gòu qí jiǎo, lìn, wú jiù.
象传: 姤其角, 上穷吝也. Xiàng zhuàn: Gòu qí jiǎo, shàng qióng lìn yě.
The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' ➚.