54. 歸妹 The Marrying Maiden

歸妹：征凶，无攸利。

Guī mèi: Zhēng xiōng, wú yōu lì.

Setting forth brings misfortune. Nothing favorable.

歸妹：征凶，无攸利。

初九：歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。

Chū jiǔ: Guī mèi yǐ dì, bǒ néng lǚ, zhēng jí.

First line: The maiden marries as a junior wife. The lame can walk. Setting forth brings good fortune.

初九：歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。

九二：眇能視，利幽人之貞。

Jiǔ èr: Miǎo néng shì, lì yōu rén zhī zhēn.

Second line: The one-eyed can see. Favorable is the perseverance of a recluse.

九二：眇能視，利幽人之貞。

六三：歸妹以須，反歸以娣。

Liù sān: Guī mèi yǐ xū, fǎn guī yǐ dì.

Third line: The maiden marries as a servant; she returns and marries as a junior wife.

六三：歸妹以須，反歸以娣。

九四：歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。

Jiǔ sì: Guī mèi qiān qī, chí guī yǒu shí.

Fourth line: The maiden delays the wedding; a late marriage comes in its time.

九四：歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。

六五：帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良，月幾望，吉。

Liù wǔ: Dì yǐ guī mèi, qí jūn zhī mèi, bù rú qí dì zhī mèi liáng, yuè jǐ wàng, jí.

Fifth line: Emperor Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The bride's sleeves are not as fine as those of the junior wife. The moon is nearly full. Good fortune.

六五：帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良，月幾望，吉。

上六：女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。

Shàng liù: Nǚ chéng kuāng wú shí, shì kuī yáng wú xuè, wú yōu lì.

Top line: The woman holds a basket with nothing in it; the man cuts the sheep, but no blood flows. Nothing favorable.

上六：女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。