03 · Difficulty at the Beginning (ZHŪN)
Zhun is the difficulty that accompanies birth. Energy has begun to move, but it moves inside danger and disorder. The six lines show how to establish a base, read relationships, accept guidance, form alliances, and keep early difficulty from becoming a lasting impasse.
The judgment
Zhun: originating and thriving; steadfastness is beneficial. Do not set out toward a destination. It is beneficial to establish leaders.
A beginning contains real potential, but its order has not yet formed. Do not rush toward a distant objective. First establish sound structure and responsible leadership so scattered energy can gather around a stable direction.
Original Chinese text
屯：元亨，利貞。勿用有攸往，利建侯。
The six lines
- 初九 · Line 1 — Hesitation and difficulty in advancing. It is beneficial to remain steadfast and to establish a leader.
Original Chinese
磐桓，利居貞，利建侯。
- 六二 · Line 2 — Difficulty and hesitation; mounted horses circle about. They are not raiders but seek marriage. The woman remains steadfast and does not consent; after ten years she consents.
Original Chinese
屯如邅如，乘馬班如。匪寇婚媾，女子貞不字，十年乃字。
- 六三 · Line 3 — Pursuing deer without a forester only leads into the forest. The noble person perceives the first signs and would rather stop; going on brings regret.
Original Chinese
即鹿無虞，惟入于林中。君子幾，不如舍，往吝。
- 六四 · Line 4 — Mounted horses circle about. Seek the marriage alliance; going forward is auspicious, with nothing unfavorable.
Original Chinese
乘馬班如，求婚媾，往吉，無不利。
- 九五 · Line 5 — Difficulty in distributing nourishment. Steadfastness in small matters is auspicious; in great matters it is ominous.
Original Chinese
屯其膏，小貞吉，大貞凶。
- 上六 · Line 6 — Mounted horses circle about; tears of blood flow in streams.
Original Chinese
乘馬班如，泣血漣如。