Hexagram 3
Zhun - Difficulty at the Beginning
屯
Meaning and Overview
The Hexagram Zhun is formed by the interaction of Qian (Heaven) and Kun (Earth), representing the beginning of spring when hardness and softness first meet, with lingering cold amidst emerging warmth. The lower trigram is Zhen, symbolizing wood and the east, signifying growth and spring. The upper trigram is Kan, symbolizing water and the north, representing winter. Zhun marks the transition from winter to spring; Zhen is yang, the firstborn from the union of Qian and Kun. Thus, the hexagram statement says 'Origination, smooth progress, benefit, and correctness.' Because the yang energy at the first line is still weak, it says, 'Do not use for going forward,' similar to the first line of Qian. 'Favorable for establishing a feudal lord' means it is beneficial to lay a foundation and establish a state.
Chinese Interpretation
《屯》卦是《乾》《坤》二卦相交，即天地相交之后的一个卦，《屯》表示春天刚刚来临，刚柔始交，乍暖还寒。下卦是震，震的卦象为木，为东方，表示生发，代表春天。上卦为坎，坎的卦象表示水，为北方，代表冬天。《屯》卦是冬天与春天交接的时候，震为阳，是乾坤相交后的长子，因此，卦辞说“元亨利贞”。又因为初九阳气显然微弱，因此卦辞说，“勿用有攸往”，与《乾》卦初九辞相似。“利建侯”是利于扎下根基，利于封侯建国。
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
元亨利贞。勿用有攸往，利建侯。
元始，亨通，利和，贞正。不利于匆忙行动，利于封建诸侯。
Origination, smooth progress, benefit, and correctness. Do not use for going forward; it is favorable to establish a feudal lord.
Origination, smooth progress, benefit, and correctness. It is not favorable for hasty action; it is favorable to enfeoff feudal lords.
初九，磐桓，利居贞，利建侯。
初九爻，像磐石和邮亭表木一般岿然不动，利于坚守不动，扎稳根基，利于封建诸侯。
The first nine: Like a rock and a post, steadfast; it is favorable to abide in correctness, favorable to establish a feudal lord.
The first nine: Firm as a rock and a marker post, it is favorable to remain steadfast, to secure the foundation, and to enfeoff feudal lords.
六二，屯如邅如，乘马班如，匪寇，婚媾，女子贞，不字，十年乃字。
六二爻，受到阻碍，徘徊不前，乘马的队伍纷纷前来，这些人不是寇盗，而是来迎亲结婚的队伍，女子占卜，结果显示很长时间内不会生小孩，十年以后才会生小孩。
The second six: Difficulty and hesitation; the mounted troops come in a line. They are not bandits but suitors. The maiden is correct; she does not bear a child; after ten years she bears.
The second six: Hindered and hesitant, the mounted troops approach in a line. These are not bandits but a wedding party. The maiden divines: she will not bear a child for a long time; only after ten years will she bear.
六三，即鹿无虞，惟入于林中，君子几不如舍，往吝。
六三爻，来到山脚边追赶禽兽，却没有掌管山林、禽兽的官员引导，禽兽已逃入密林深处，君子见机行事，舍弃不追，如果继续追赶，可能迷路。
The third six: Pursuing the deer without a forester; it only enters the forest. The superior man, seeing the opportunity, would rather give up. Going forward brings regret.
The third six: Chasing game at the foot of the mountain without a gamekeeper; the animal has fled into the deep forest. The superior man, discerning the situation, gives up the chase; if he continues, he may lose his way.
六四，乘马班如，求婚媾，往吉，无不利。
六四爻，乘马的队伍徘徊不前，前去求婚，前往必获吉祥，无所不利。
The fourth six: The mounted troops come in a line; seeking a marriage alliance. Going forward brings good fortune; nothing is unfavorable.
The fourth six: The mounted troops hesitate; going forward to seek a marriage alliance brings good fortune; nothing is unfavorable.
九五，屯其膏，小贞吉，大贞凶。
九五爻，屯聚膏泽，占问小事则吉祥，占问大事则凶险。
The fifth nine: Hoarding the fat; small correctness brings good fortune, great correctness brings misfortune.
The fifth nine: Accumulating resources; divining for small matters brings good fortune, but for great matters it brings danger.
上六，乘马班如，泣血涟如。
上六爻，乘马的队伍徘徊不前，哭泣伤心，血泪涟涟。
The top six: The mounted troops come in a line; weeping blood in a continuous stream.
The top six: The mounted troops hesitate; weeping in sorrow, with tears of blood flowing endlessly.