Hexagram 51 of 64

Zhèn — Thunder After Thunder

震为雷 · Legge: Cheng (also: Kan) · Thunder above, Thunder below

Thunder after thunder: the shock that terrifies everyone else is the one that must not make you drop the cup.

dangersincerityrestraintrelease

The Judgment

Zhèn. 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.

Legge’s 1882 translation

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.

The Image

LI. (The trigram representing) thunder, being repeated, forms Kan. The superior man, in accordance with this, is fearful and apprehensive, cultivates (his virtue), and examines (his faults).

洊雷,震;君子以恐惧修省。

The Six Lines

The first nine · 初九

The 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.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The first nine, 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.

The second six · 六二

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

Legge’s 1882 translation

The second six, 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.

The third six · 六三

The 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.

Legge’s 1882 translation

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

The fourth nine · 九四

The fourth line, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking in the mud.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fourth nine, undivided, shows its subject, amid the startling movements, supinely sinking (deeper) in the mud.

The fifth six · 六五

The fifth line, divided, shows its subject going and coming amidst the startling movements, and always in peril; but perhaps he will not incur loss, and find business.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The fifth six, 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).

The topmost six · 上六

The topmost line, divided, shows its subject, amidst the startling movements, 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 neighborhood, there would be no error, though his relatives might speak against him.

Legge’s 1882 translation

The topmost six, 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 neighborhood, (he were to take precautions), there would be no error, though his relatives might (still) speak against him.

Bring your own question. Top Choice performs the traditional yarrow-stalk casting and reads the classic for your situation — the app is coming soon to the App Store.

Support & FAQ →

Privacy· Terms· Support· © 2026 Beijing Yuanzhijing Technology Co., Ltd.