Hexagram 56: The Wanderer
Hexagram
56. The Wanderer · Lu
Structure of the sign
The mountain (Gen) stands still, above the fire (Li) flames up and does not linger. Therefore they do not remain together. Foreign lands, separation is the lot of the wanderer.
The Judgment
The Wanderer. Success through smallness. Perseverance brings good fortune to the wanderer. As a wanderer and stranger one must not be brusque nor aim too high. One has no large circle of acquaintances, therefore one must not boast. One must be cautious and reserved; thus one protects oneself from evil. If one is obliging toward others, one wins success. The wanderer has no fixed abode; the road is his home. Therefore he must take care to be inwardly righteous and steadfast, to linger only in good places, and to associate only with good men. Then he has good fortune and can go his way unmolested.
The Image
Fire on the mountain: the image of the Wanderer. Thus the superior man is clear and cautious in the application of penalties and protracts no litigations. When the grass burns on the mountain, it gives a bright glow. But the fire does not linger; it wanders on in search of fresh nourishment. It is only a passing phenomenon. So it should be with penalties and lawsuits. They must be a passing phenomenon and must not be dragged out. Prisons must be something that accommodates people only temporarily, like guests. They must not become dwellings for men.
The lines
Line 1
If the wanderer busies himself with petty things, he thereby draws misfortune upon himself. A wanderer must not demean himself and occupy himself with vulgar things along the way. Especially the lowlier and more defenseless his outward position is, the more must he preserve his dignity within. For if a stranger thinks to find a friendly reception by lending himself to jest and ridicule, he deceives himself. The consequences are only contempt and insulting treatment.
Line 2
The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He gains the perseverance of a young servant. The wanderer portrayed here is modest and reserved. Inwardly he does not lose himself, therefore he finds a resting place. Outwardly he does not lose the goodwill of men, therefore all further him, so that he can acquire property. Moreover, a loyal and reliable servant attaches himself to him, such as is of inestimable value to the wanderer.
Line 3
The wanderer's inn burns down. He loses the perseverance of his young servant. Danger. A violent stranger does not know how to conduct himself. He meddles in affairs and quarrels that do not concern him. Thereby he loses his resting place. He treats his servant coldly and arrogantly. Thereby he loses the servant's loyalty. When as a stranger one no longer has anyone to rely on, it is very dangerous.
Line 4
The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an axe. My heart is not glad. Here a wanderer is depicted who knows how to be outwardly modest, although inwardly he is strong and pressing forward. Therefore he finds at least a shelter where he can linger. He also succeeds in acquiring property. But he is not secure with his property. He must ever be on guard, ready to defend himself with an armed hand. Therefore he does not feel at ease. He is constantly conscious that he is a stranger in a foreign land.
Line 5▶ ruling line
He shoots a pheasant; it falls at the first arrow. In the end this brings praise and office. Traveling statesmen were accustomed to introduce themselves to princes with the gift of a pheasant. The wanderer here desires to enter into a prince's service. For this purpose he shoots a pheasant, which he brings down at the first shot. Thus he finds friends who praise and recommend him, and is finally accepted by the prince, who confers an office upon him. Often circumstances arise that cause one to seek one's home abroad. If one understands how to meet the situation and introduce oneself in the right way, one may find a circle of friends and a sphere of activity even in a foreign land.
Line 6
The bird's nest burns down. The wanderer laughs at first, then he must weep and lament. He loses the cow through carelessness. Misfortune! The image of the bird whose nest burns down shows the loss of the resting place. If the bird was careless and heedless in building its nest, this misfortune can befall it. So too with the wanderer. If he gives way to jest and laughter and no longer remembers that he is a wanderer, he will later have to weep and lament. For when through carelessness one loses one's cow, that is, one's modest adaptability, it leads to evil.
Below ☶ Mountain (Gen)
- Direction
- NE
- Element
- Mountain · Stone
- Attributes
- Keeping Still · Firm · Immovable · Setting Boundaries
- Family
- Youngest Son
Above ☲ Fire (Li)
- Direction
- S
- Element
- Fire · Sun · Light
- Attributes
- Clarifying · Luminous · Clinging · Conscious · Beautiful
- Family
- Middle Daughter