Gou · Encounter
姤卦 · 天风姤
- Chance meeting
- Temptation
- Caution
- First signs
The Judgment
Kau shows a female who is bold and strong. It will not be good to marry (such) a female.
女壮，勿用取女。
The Image
Wind under heaven: encounter. The ruler, in the same way, issues commands and proclaims them to the four directions.
天下有风，姤。后以施命诰四方。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
You may suddenly have met someone, an opportunity or a temptation. It came out of nowhere and it is very attractive. Gou is wind under heaven, a single yin line appearing beneath five yang lines, a symbol of the unexpected encounter. It may look minor, but its potential influence could be far greater than you think.
Where to put your effort
Stay clear-headed about things that arrive suddenly. Observe first and do not throw yourself in completely; do not rush into a long-term relationship or major commitment. Work out whether this is a real opportunity or a hidden risk. Getting the balance right at the first sign is much easier than repairing things later.
Four areas of life
- Career
- You are in good luck; your name spreads far and wide.
- Wealth
- Go far and you will profit.
- Family
- Beware of strong winds; a proper marriage.
- Health
- Be careful of stroke.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows its subject with a wallet of fish. There will be no error. But it will not be well to let (the subject of the first line) go forward to the guests.Moving
九二：包有鱼，无咎，不利宾。
Image：There is a fish in the bag: it is not right to share it with guests.
- Career
- Keep away from petty people and things will go your way.
- Wealth
- Plenty of goods; the profit is in your hands.
- Family
- A woman is in charge; the marriage can go ahead.
- Health
- Caught up in someone else's trouble.
Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows one from whose buttocks the skin has been stripped so that he walks with difficulty. The position is perilous, but there will be no great error.Moving
九三：臀无肤，其行次且。厉，无大咎。
Image：Walking is difficult: not yet being led.
- Career
- Doubt creates danger; be patient.
- Wealth
- Indecisive; how can you profit?
- Family
- Repair the house; it will work out slowly.
- Health
- Restless; see a doctor.
Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject with his wallet, but no fish in it. This will give rise to evil.Moving
九四：包无鱼，起凶。
Image：The misfortune of no fish: being far from the people.
- Career
- Not in good luck; broaden your outlook.
- Wealth
- Nothing in the bag; no profit to be had.
- Family
- Guard against disaster in a remote place; there may be no heirs.
- Health
- Hard-to-treat internal heat; very dangerous.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, (shows its subject as) a medlar tree overspreading the gourd (beneath it). If he keep his brilliant qualities concealed, (a good issue) will descend (as) from Heaven.Moving
九五：以杞包瓜，含章，有陨自天。
Image：Nine in the fifth place has hidden beauty: central and correct. It falls from heaven: the will does not abandon its destiny.
- Career
- An open mind brings natural recognition.
- Wealth
- Wood products should bring great profit.
- Family
- A well-placed home; good fortune in marriage.
- Health
- Heat mixed with chills; find a good doctor quickly.
Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows its subject receiving others on his horns. There will be occasion for regret, but there will be no error.Moving
上九：姤其角，吝，无咎。
Image：Meeting with the horns: at the top, there is regret.
- Career
- Great recognition, but your luck is nearly exhausted.
- Wealth
- Careful calculation brings rich profit.
- Family
- Watch the corners of the house; a couple with a large age gap.
- Health
- A head problem that a doctor can treat.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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