【第
三
卦】
屯
水雷屯
坎上震下
屯
元亨
利貞
勿用
有攸往
利建侯
初九
磐桓
利居貞
利建侯
六二
屯如邅如
乘馬班如
匪寇婚媾
女子貞不字
十年乃字
六三
既鹿無虞
惟入于林中
君子几不如舍
往吝
六四
乘馬班如
求婚媾
無不利
九五
屯其膏
小貞吉
大貞凶
上六
乘馬班如
泣血漣如
Translation: (Initiation is) extremely harmonious. It is better to remain upright. Do not have purpose. One must spread one’s assistance.
Translation: Vacillating back and forth. It is better to remain upright. One must spread one’s assistance.
Analysis: Upright describes honesty and integrity; once one possesses these two traits, one’s venture will be successful. Yang is venerated while Yin follows Yang. In this symbol, Yang, as an individual of extreme value, occupies the lowest segment. As a result, this segment gains communal respect.
Translation: The initiation of anything is arduous and demanding. Oscillating and not progressing. A horde of cavalry asks for marriage, but they are not gangsters that coerce the bride into agreeing. The woman seeks integrity; she does not consent. After ten years, she consents.
Analysis: The horde of cavalry is the symbol of the Fifth Segment, Nine. The fifth segment, as Yang, asks to marry the second segment. However, the second segment, as Yin, is impeded by the 2 Yin segments above herself. The moral of this segment is that it is difficult at the beginning, and one must remain stable and not seek progress without careful consideration. The woman’s disapproval of the marriage signifies that she did not decide prematurely. A period of ten years indicates an extremely long span.
Translation: Chasing after a deer without a guide, one has run astray into the woods. A man of virtue must apprehend the opportunity––––right now one should give up chasing. Imprudence can cause regret.
Analysis: The Yin segment at the third position is at the very top of the lower portion (the segment does not have integrity, nor is it chief), which means the person develops hastily and prematurely. The author employs the descriptions of chasing after a deer to compare the imprudent person with the deer-chaser. Initiation is a difficult process. Without integrity, the person who is chasing after the deer must realize the he must retreat when she sees the opportunity; otherwise, she not only would not catch the deer, but would also arrive at the state of embarrassment.
Translation: A horde of cavalry comes without stop and asks for marriage. Moving forward is a blessing; there will be no anguish.
Analysis: The second segment lingers ten years before moving forward because she was obstructed by the third and the fourth segment. The obstruction arises because the fifth segment was courting the second. Unlike last time, the fourth Yin segment now asks the first Yang segment for marriage because both are at the bottom of the respective portion. The message that underlies this segment is that it is a good thing when a person of a higher rank seeks a person of a lower rank.
Translation: When the initiation reaches this stage, one is ready to disseminate one’s fortune. A little perseverance brings good fortune. Great perseverance brings misfortune.
Analysis: The fifth segment is often called the segment of the King. As a Yang segment in the middle, the person fractures the difficulty faced by initiation. A little perseverance keeps the possessor away from disaster, while those who have persevered greatly must be careful of ominous occurrences.
Translation: A horde of cavalry comes without stop and asks for marriage. However, (it receives no permission) and sheds disheartening tears.
Analysis: The sixth segment acts similar to the previous segments, but it is connected to the third segment, which is of the same sex. As a result, a marriage does not succeed.