The Book of Changes/I ching: The Joyous

This hexagram of I Ching/the Book of Changes, like Sun, is one of the eight formed by doubling of a trigram. The trigram Tui denotes the youngest daughter; it is symbolized by the smiling lake, and its attribute is joyousness. Contrary to appearances, it is not the yielding quality of the top line that accounts for joy here. The attribute of the yielding or dark principle is not joy but melancholy. However, joy is indicated by the fact that there are two strong lines within, expressing themselves through the medium of gentleness. Following is the original text of this hexagram of I Ching/the Book of Changes.

The Judgment
THE JOYOUS. Success.
Perseverance is favorable.

The Image
Lakes resting one on the other:
The image of THE JOYOUS.
Thus the superior man joins with his friends
For discussion and practice.

Lower line
Nine at the beginning means:
Contented joyousness. Good fortune.

Second line
Nine in the second place means:
Sincere joyousness. Good fortune.
Remorse disappears.

Third line
Six in the third place means:
Coming joyousness. Misfortune.

Fourth line
Nine in the fourth place means:
Joyousness that is weighed is not at peace.
After ridding himself of mistakes a man has joy.

Fifth line
Nine in the fifth place means:
Sincerity toward disintegrating influences is dangerous.

Upper line
Six at the top means:
Seductive joyousness.

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