Situational Guidance
The Gou hexagram is an extremely important hexagram in the I Ching. It reminds us that real dangers are often not obvious enemies, but small temptations and problems that quietly appear when we are complacent.
Hexagram 44
Coming to Meet
Encounter, meeting, yin grows and yang diminishes
The Gou hexagram is an extremely important hexagram in the I Ching. It reminds us that real dangers are often not obvious enemies, but small temptations and problems that quietly appear when we are complacent.
Trigram Structure
䷫, Qian above, Xun below
Palace：巽
Key Themes
Encounter, meeting, yin grows and yang diminishes
Judgement
Gou: If a girl is strong, don't use it to get her.
Natural Symbolism
Summer solstice, a sudden wind between heaven and earth
Associated Objects
A virus, the first weed in a garden, a small crack.
Life Application & Summary
The Gou hexagram is an extremely important hexagram in the I Ching. It reminds us that real dangers are often not obvious enemies, but small temptations and problems that quietly appear when we are complacent.
Line-by-line Interpretation
Line 1
Tie to Jin Zheng, Zhenji. If you are going somewhere, you will see bad luck. The pig is scurrying about.
Guidance
Tied to a metal brake; maintaining the right path brings fortune; rash action brings danger.
Modern Insight
This is the highest wisdom of preventing problems at their source. When you first encounter this potential trouble, you must use the most resolute, strongest means (metal brake) to stop it immediately. There must be no hesitation or indulgence.
Line 2
If there is fish in the bag, there is no blame, but no good luck.
Guidance
There is fish in the kitchen; no disaster, but not suitable for entertaining guests.
Modern Insight
Fish metaphorically represents the yin line of the first position. You have already detected this problem and effectively controlled it internally. This is good. But remember, this is an internal problem; it should not be publicized, and even less should it affect external relationships.
Line 3
The buttocks have no skin, and their lines are second and second. Seriously, no big blame.
Guidance
Buttocks have no flesh; restless; though there is danger, no major harm.
Modern Insight
This problem has made you restless and uneasy. You are constantly alert to its development. It is precisely because of this high level of vigilance that, although the process is painful, you ultimately prevent disaster from occurring.
Line 4
If there is no fish in the bag, it will bring disaster.
Guidance
No fish in the kitchen; this portends disaster.
Modern Insight
You have lost control of the problem. That "fish" you controlled has escaped, and trouble begins to spread. Because of a moment's negligence, you have caused the situation to deteriorate; this is the beginning of danger.
Line 5
The melon wrapped with wolfberry contains a seal, which indicates that it has fallen from the sky.
Guidance
Wrapping melon with wolfberry leaves; metaphorically, a gentleman with talent retreats; such is heaven's will.
Modern Insight
You are in the ruler's position, facing this yin-soft thing (melon). You do not choose to suppress it forcefully, but respond with a gentle, tolerant approach. You understand that the cycle of yin and yang is the way of heaven and cannot be eradicated. You choose to coexist with it and use your virtue to resolve it. This is the highest wisdom.
Line 6
There is no blame for being stingy and stingy.
Guidance
Meeting at the top; in a difficult situation, but not blameworthy.
Modern Insight
You are already far from the source of the problem. You have chosen to keep your distance and avoid direct conflict. This aloofness and distance, though it may make you seem somewhat unapproachable, is the best strategy for self-preservation and avoiding unnecessary entanglement at this moment.
