44 · Encounter (GÒU)
After Breakthrough comes an unexpected meeting. One yielding line enters beneath five strong lines: a small beginning can grow into a meaningful connection or an unchecked complication. The six lines ask how to set a boundary, care for what comes into one's keeping, stay grounded when support is missing, remain connected to people, and avoid reaching so high that meeting becomes impossible.
The judgment
Encounter: the woman is strong; do not take this woman in marriage.
This is the ancient text's marriage warning, reflecting its own gender conventions. As a hexagram image, one yielding line suddenly meets five strong lines. The usable question today is whether an unexpected encounter can sustain a lasting commitment—not whether a strong woman is unsuitable.
Original Chinese text
姤：女壯，勿用取女。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — Tie it to a metal wheel-stop: steadfastness is auspicious. To go onward shows misfortune; a lean pig truly stamps and hesitates.
Original Chinese
系于金柅，貞吉，有攸往，見凶，羸豕孚踟躅。
- 九二 · Line 2 — The wrapped basket has a fish: no blame. It is not beneficial for a guest.
Original Chinese
包有魚，无咎，不利賓。
- 九三 · Line 3 — Buttocks without skin; walking is halting. There is danger, yet no great blame.
Original Chinese
臀无膚，其行次且，厲，无大咎。
- 九四 · Line 4 — The wrapped basket has no fish; to rise into action is ill-omened.
Original Chinese
包无魚，起凶。
- 九五 · Line 5 — A qi tree shelters a gourd; it holds its pattern within. Something falls from heaven.
Original Chinese
以杞包瓜，含章，有隕自天。
- 上九 · Line 6 — Encounter its horn: regrettable, yet without blame.
Original Chinese
姤其角，吝，无咎。