Forty-Fourth Hexagram Gou : The Wisdom of Coming to Meet

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the forty-fourth hexagram of the I Ching, Gou (姤), which symbolizes 'Coming to Meet' or 'Encountering'. It represents heaven over wind, like a sudden encounter with a powerful feminine force, emphasizing caution in unexpected alliances, the danger of yielding to temptation, and maintaining integrity to avoid misfortune. The hexagram statement is: "Gou: Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful. One should not marry such a maiden."

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

Ancient Tale: 'The Sudden Maiden, Encounter of Power'

Once upon a time, under vast heavens where winds whispered unexpected meetings, a young prince ventured into a mysterious forest and encountered a powerful maiden who seemed to emerge from the breeze itself. The maiden was powerful, and one should not marry such a maiden, for the encounter signaled caution amid temptation. At the outset, tied to a metal brake, perseverance brought good fortune; if he had somewhere to go, he would see misfortune, like a lean pig with power to run but restrained.

There was a fish in the tank; no blame, but it did not further guests, as the maiden's power was contained and not to be shared casually.

There was no skin on his buttocks, and walking came hard; if one was mindful of the danger, no great mistake in the difficult approach to her.

No fish in the tank; this led to misfortune as the contained power vanished, leaving him empty.

A melon covered with willow leaves; hidden lines, then it dropped down to one from heaven, a gift amid the encounter.

He came to meet with his horns; humiliation, no blame as the aggressive push led to shame but not fault.

How did you like the tale? Hope it was engaging! Now, let's break down each line based on the story. For each, I'll quote the matching part and annotate with the I Ching source. This connects the wisdom directly to the narrative for better recall!

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Six): Tied to a metal brake. Perseverance brings good fortune. If you have somewhere to go, you will see misfortune. A lean pig with power to run.

This line advises restraint in initial encounters, persevering for success but avoiding hasty advances. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, tied to a metal brake, perseverance brought good fortune; if he had somewhere to go, he would see misfortune, like a lean pig with power to run but restrained." This symbolizes controlled energy in meetings. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram first line: "Tied to a metal brake. Perseverance brings good fortune. If you have somewhere to go, you will see misfortune. A lean pig with power to run."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): There is a fish in the tank. No blame. Does not further guests.

This line suggests contained potential blameless but not to be shared with outsiders. Matching part in the tale: "There was a fish in the tank; no blame, but it did not further guests, as the maiden's power was contained and not to be shared casually." Contained not shared. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram second line: "There is a fish in the tank. No blame. Does not further guests."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing fish in tank no blame not further guests contained power, representing Gou hexagram second line: not shared, tank scene wind heaven, earthy tones with subtle yellows for containment."

Third Line (Six in the Third Place): There is no skin on his buttocks, And walking comes hard. If one is mindful of the danger, No great mistake.

This line cautions difficulty in movement due to vulnerability, but mindfulness avoids major errors. Matching part in the tale: "There was no skin on his buttocks, and walking came hard; if one was mindful of the danger, no great mistake in the difficult approach to her." Mindful difficulty avoids. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram third line: "There is no skin on his buttocks, And walking comes hard. If one is mindful of the danger, No great mistake."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating no skin buttocks walking hard mindful danger no mistake difficult approach, embodying Gou hexagram third line: vulnerable mindfulness, approach scene heaven wind, muted browns and reds for difficulty."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): No fish in the tank. This leads to misfortune.

This line warns of loss of contained potential leading to failure. Matching part in the tale: "No fish in the tank; this led to misfortune as the contained power vanished, leaving him empty." Loss empties misfortune. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram fourth line: "No fish in the tank. This leads to misfortune."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying no fish tank leads misfortune contained vanished empty, symbolizing Gou hexagram fourth line: potential loss, empty tank scene wind heaven, serene blues and grays for emptiness."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): A melon covered with willow leaves. Hidden lines. Then it drops down to one from heaven.

This line represents hidden blessings dropping unexpectedly from heaven. Matching part in the tale: "A melon covered with willow leaves; hidden lines, then it dropped down to one from heaven, a gift amid the encounter." Hidden drops gift. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram fifth line: "A melon covered with willow leaves. Hidden lines. Then it drops down to one from heaven."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text in English, showing melon covered willow leaves hidden lines drops heaven gift, representing Gou hexagram fifth line: unexpected blessing, melon drop scene heaven wind, vibrant greens and yellows for hidden."

Top Line (Six at the Top): He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation. No blame.

This line suggests aggressive encounter leading to shame but no fault if defensive. Matching part in the tale: "He came to meet with his horns; humiliation, no blame as the aggressive push led to shame but not fault." Aggressive shame blameless. Annotation: I Ching Gou hexagram top line: "He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation. No blame."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting come meet horns humiliation no blame aggressive push, symbolizing Gou hexagram sixth line: defensive shame, horns meet scene wind heaven, dark purples and grays for aggression."

This blog should make the six lines of Gou hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~