56 · The Wanderer (LǙ)
The Wanderer is a guest away from home, with only modest room to prosper. Mountain steadies while Fire gives light, yet a flame on a ridge cannot stay forever. The six lines move through distraction, shelter and help, a burned lodging, an uneasy temporary camp, the loss of an arrow, and final ruin. Travel calls for care with people, resources, and the limits of a temporary place.
The judgment
The Wanderer: small passage; steadfastness while traveling is auspicious.
Classical commentary describes a guest away from their usual home. Small success reflects limited control over circumstances, not a smaller human worth. Reliable conduct matters more than claiming a grand position.
Original Chinese text
旅：小亨，旅貞吉。
The six lines
- 初六 · Line 1 — The wanderer becomes preoccupied with petty details; this draws trouble.
Original Chinese
旅瑣瑣，斯其所取災。
- 六二 · Line 2 — The wanderer reaches a lodging, keeps resources close, and gains a reliable young attendant.
Original Chinese
旅即次，懷其資，得童僕貞。
- 九三 · Line 3 — The wanderer's lodging burns; the young attendant is lost. Even steadfastness faces danger.
Original Chinese
旅焚其次，喪其童僕，貞厲。
- 九四 · Line 4 — The wanderer stays in a place and gains resources and an axe, yet the heart is not glad.
Original Chinese
旅于處，得其資斧，我心不快。
- 六五 · Line 5 — Shoot at a pheasant and lose one arrow; in the end receive praise and recognition.
Original Chinese
射雉一矢亡，終以譽命。
- 上九 · Line 6 — A bird's nest burns; the wanderer laughs first, then wails. An ox is lost with ease. Misfortune.
Original Chinese
鳥焚其巢，旅人先笑後號咷。喪牛于易，凶。