Hexagram 51Upper Zhen · ThunderLower Zhen · Thunder

Zhen · Thunder

震卦 · 震为雷

Shock
Sudden change
Wake-up call
Composure

The Judgment

Kan gives the intimation of ease and development. When (the time of) movement (which it indicates) comes, (the subject of the hexagram) will be found looking out with apprehension, and yet smiling and talking cheerfully. When the movement (like a crash of thunder) terrifies all within a hundred li, he will be (like the sincere worshipper) who is not (startled into) letting go his ladle and (cup of) sacrificial spirits.

震。亨。震来虩虩，笑言哑哑。震惊百里，不丧匕鬯。

The Image

Thunder repeated: the shock. The noble one, in the same way, reflects on themself and sets things right in fear and trembling.

洊雷，震。君子以恐惧修省。

Plain-language reading

Your situation

You may have just been hit by something out of the blue: unexpected news, a sudden change, or something that made your heart jump. Zhen is thunder upon thunder, frightening. But thunder itself does not hurt anyone; it is more like a wake-up call.

Where to put your effort

First steady yourself: panic at the start is normal, and once you calm down you can respond with composure. Use the shock to reflect and check where hidden risks lie. Protect what matters most: even when everything is shaking, do not let go of your core.

Four areas of life

Career: Your luck is strong; be careful to avoid blame.
Wealth: All the goods you have built up will sell.
Family: Protect the foundations of the home; prayer is advisable; a good match.
Health: Too much liver heat; avoid overwork.

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 at the beginningThe first line, undivided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, looking out and around with apprehension, and afterwards smiling and talking cheerfully. There will be good fortune.Moving

初九：震来虩虩，后笑言哑哑，吉。

Image：Thunder comes with fear and trembling: fear brings blessing. Then laughter and talk: afterwards there is order.

Career: Good luck is just arriving; bitter first, sweet later.
Wealth: Run the business carefully and enjoy the profit.
Family: Caution is advisable; worry first, joy later.
Health: Danger first, then safety.

Six in the second placeThe second line, divided, shows its subject, when the movement approaches, in a position of peril. He judges it better to let go the articles (in his possession), and to ascend a very lofty height. There is no occasion for him to pursue after (the things he has let go); in seven days he will find them.Moving

六二：震来厉，亿丧贝。跻于九陵，勿逐，七日得。

Image：Thunder comes with danger: riding on a hard line.

Career: Worrying about gain and loss; no need to fret.
Wealth: Gains and losses; stay alert to risk.
Family: Guard against burglary; husband and wife at odds.
Health: A worrying condition; better in seven days.

Six in the third placeThe third line, divided, shows its subject distraught amid the startling movements going on. If those movements excite him to (right) action, there will be no mistake.Moving

六三：震苏苏，震行无眚。

Image：Thunder leaves you dazed: the position is not right.

Career: Be doubly careful and you can avoid blame.
Wealth: Sales are poor; find another way.
Family: Beware of earthquakes; the families are mismatched.
Health: From danger to safety.

Nine in the fourth placeThe fourth line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.Moving

九四：震遂泥。

Image：Thunder stuck in the mud: it has not yet shone.

Career: You want to rally but lack the strength; step back and protect yourself.
Wealth: Spending money like water; hard to save.
Family: Yang energy is blocked; building a family through hardship.
Health: Abdominal congestion; it should be cleared.

Six in the fifth placeThe fifth line, divided, shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements (of the time), and always in peril; but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business (which he can accomplish).Moving

六五：震往来厉，亿无丧，有事。

Image：Thunder comes and goes with danger: acting at risk. The matter is at the centre: nothing major is lost.

Career: The hard times are over; great things can be done.
Wealth: Small losses, big gains; no need to worry.
Family: Make offerings to keep bad influences away.
Health: Cultivate yourself and calm your mind.

Six at the topThe topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements (of the time), in breathless dismay and looking round him with trembling apprehension. If he take action, there will be evil. If, while the startling movements have not reached his own person and his neighbourhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.Moving

上六：震索索，视矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其邻，无咎。婚构有言。

Image：Thunder leaves you trembling: the centre has not been found. Though misfortune, no blame: fearing for the neighbour serves as a warning.

Career: A high position is precarious; stay quiet and hold firm.
Wealth: Beware of greed; be content with small success.
Family: Trouble at the neighbours'; a matchmaker comes soon.
Health: Rest easy and look after your eyes.

Related hexagrams

Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.

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