garden-gate

Hexagram Fifty-four—Love Partnerships

Hexagram Fifty-four concerns love relationships. Mutual respect and affection are the basis of all lasting partnerships; anything else will lead to an uneasy alliance that will require special caution and many hurt feelings. If the situation seems cloudy, it is better to wait before making a decision.

The first line, yang, shows a young woman who is about to marry for reasons other than love. Look for a solution that will change the obvious outcome. There is still time.

The second line, yang, advises that it is better to wait a situation out, confident it will work out to one's advantage. The example is a young woman who is disappointed when all her girlfriends marry. She finds comfort in the belief that she too will marry soon.

The third line, yin, shows one who hopes for unattainable riches. There is no gain in this, just as there is no blame.

The fourth line, yang, explains timing is essential, along with purity of intent. It is not wise to manipulate others to get something, for the desired goal will come about in its own time.

The fifth line, yin, advises that it is best to take a humble position, since deep satisfaction and value may be found in apparently limiting circumstances. It is compared to a woman who marries for love, rather than money.

The sixth line, yin, shows that caring for others will bring happiness to oneself. In a sound marriage, the husband and wife put each other's welfare above their own.


Hexagram Fifty-four Commentary

This hexagram discusses love as the most important criteria for deciding to marry. People marry for many reasons, but this hexagram argues anything less than "mutual respect and affection" will lead to an "uneasy alliance" and "many hurt feelings."

The first line, yang, shows a woman who is about to marry for another reason besides being in love with the groom. The line warns, "There is still time" to stop the wedding.

The second line, yang, recommends waiting and trusting in a situation where it seems like the right person will come along. The example in this line is of a woman who is disappointed when all her friends marry, but she feels confident she too will marry soon.

The subject of the third line, yin, uses wishful thinking, hoping for a wealthy suitor to come along. Although it's okay to dream, wishing does not make it so. It's likely not to happen, so it would be better to actively search for a mate to reciprocate love and respect.

The fourth line, yang, elaborates on the previous line, explaining that it's wrong to manipulate a potential mate to get wealth, or other desires fulfilled. It's better to keep a pure intent, trusting when the timing is right, a suitable mate will come along.

The fifth line, yin, explains further, it is better to marry for love than for money. Even though a love marriage may not lead to untold riches, a good relationship has the potential to bring deep satisfaction.

The sixth line, yin, explains "in a sound marriage, the husband and wife put each other's welfare above their own." Caring for each other makes both people happy.





To the reader: Most of the hexagrams have at least one line that predicts bad results, but that does NOT mean you are fated to that result. The hexagrams illustrate different attitudes, so study the actions and reactions to learn the attitudes that will lead to better outcomes.

The I Ching teaches you to flow with changes and create positive change from the inside through conscious living. Your future is in your hands. Consult the I Ching for ideas that lead to clear thinking and positive mental attitude. Reading the I Ching helps you take the time to reflect on your attitudes and ideas. Continue asking until you feel positive about your course.


Click here for another hexagram.





A note about this interpretation of the I Ching: Nori Muster wrote this version of the I Ching in 1994 and put it online at Surrealist.org in 2000. It is also available at Amazon:
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