Hexagram 16
Joy and pleasure, preparation, prevention before it happens
The Yu hexagram reminds us that joy and well-being are wonderful, but they are also a double-edged sword. How to maintain vigilance and foresight while enjoying success is the key to determining whether a person can turn short-term happiness into long-term blessings.
Trigram Structure
䷏, Zhen above, Kun below
Palace：震
Key Themes
Joy and pleasure, preparation, prevention before it happens
The Yu hexagram reminds us that joy and well-being are wonderful, but they are also a double-edged sword. How to maintain vigilance and foresight while enjoying success is the key to determining whether a person can turn short-term happiness into long-term blessings.
Yu: Li Jianhou went to the army.
Thunder in spring, the sound of a concert, cheers of celebration.
Musical instruments, sound systems, temple fairs, parties.
The Yu hexagram reminds us that joy and well-being are wonderful, but they are also a double-edged sword. How to maintain vigilance and foresight while enjoying success is the key to determining whether a person can turn short-term happiness into long-term blessings.
Ming Yu, fierce.
Guidance
Indulging in pleasure, sensual pursuits, will bring danger.
Modern Insight
In a joyful occasion, if you only care about your own enjoyment, or even become complacent and boastful, you will inevitably invite others' resentment and jealousy. Enjoying quietly rather than showing off ostentatiously is the first talisman of protection in times of peace and joy.
Between the stone, it will never last forever, and it will be chaste and auspicious.
Guidance
Perceiving opportunities early, firm as a rock, acting before dark brings fortune.
Modern Insight
This is the wisest line in the Yu hexagram. It tells us that the more joyful and comfortable the environment, the more we must maintain a clear mind and firm principles. You can see the small and know the great, decisively handling problems when they first appear, never delaying. This outstanding foresight and self-control is true blessing.
Xuyu, regret. Too late to regret.
Guidance
Indulging in pleasure, missing opportunities, will bring regret.
Modern Insight
Your happiness completely depends on the charity of superiors or others. You are a sycophant without self. This way of living at others' mercy not only makes you lose dignity, but also makes you miss real opportunities for growth, ultimately bringing endless regret.
From Yu, there is great gain. Don't doubt it, I'll give you a hairpin.
Guidance
Gaining followers through sincerity, able to achieve great undertakings.
Modern Insight
This is the only yang line in the entire hexagram, the initiator and center of this joy. You are a leader who can bring confidence and joy to the team. You should have full confidence in yourself; your sincerity and enthusiasm are themselves the strongest cohesive force, able to attract all talents to join you.
If you are sick, you will never die.
Guidance
Holding a high position yet indulging in pleasure; if this continues, it is very dangerous.
Modern Insight
You hold a high position but are immersed in pleasure, not thinking of progress. This is a dangerous state. Although it will not immediately collapse your career, it will slowly erode your will and foundation like a frog in gradually heating water—a great hidden danger.
Mingyu, success has Chongqing, no blame.
Guidance
Indulging in pleasure to the extreme, awakening in time, is not yet a great fault.
Modern Insight
This is the end of pleasure; you are completely lost. But the I Ching always gives people a ray of hope. This is warning you that if you reach the point of desperation, you can still suddenly awaken and thoroughly reform, then everything is still possible. This is the last chance to turn danger into safety.
