Hexagram 51
Zhen - The Arousing (Shock)
震
Meaning and Overview
The Zhen hexagram consists of the trigram Zhen above and Zhen below, forming one of the eight pure hexagrams. Zhen represents the eldest son, thus this hexagram signifies the eldest son inheriting his father's rank, presiding over sacrifices with composure, facing sudden events like thunderclaps with calm and adaptability, able to bear responsibility, fulfill his position, safeguard the ancestral temple and state, and govern the country well. The hexagram statement says: 'Success. When the shock comes, one laughs and speaks cheerfully. The shock terrifies for a hundred li, but he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon.' Holding sacrifices, there is success. Suddenly a thunderclap comes; one is cautious and careful, the sacrifice proceeds orderly. The thunder's sound terrifies for a hundred li, but the eldest son presiding over the sacrifice remains calm, and the spoon used for libation does not fall from his hand. The line texts also revolve around the theme of the eldest son's sacrifice and the thunder shock. The first line (initial nine) is the ruler of the hexagram; its meaning is the essence of the hexagram statement. Thus it says: when the thunder shock comes, one is cautious and careful, the sacrifice proceeds orderly, and after the sacrifice is successfully completed, joyful laughter arises—hence auspicious. The middle four lines have uncertain fortune, while the top line (sixth six) is at the extreme of the Zhen hexagram, indicating danger.
Chinese Interpretation
《震》卦上震下震，为八纯卦。震为长子，因此，《震》卦表示长子继承父亲爵位，主持好祭祀，面对迅雷等突发情况，镇定自若，应对自如，能够承担责任，胜任职位，守住宗庙社稷，治理好国家。卦辞说“亨，震来，笑言哑哑，震惊百里，不丧匕”，举行祭祀，亨通，突然来了惊雷，小心谨慎，祭祀有条不紊，雷声震惊百里，主持祭祀的长子镇定自如，手里祭祀时酒洒地用的匕不会失落。爻辞也都围绕长子祭祀与震雷这个主题展开，初九爻是卦主，初九爻之义就是卦辞的主旨，因此说震雷来了，谨慎小心，祭祀进行得有条不紊，祭祀圆满举行后发出欢乐的笑声，因此，吉祥。中间四爻吉凶未定，上六爻处于《震》卦之极，凶险。
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.
亨，震来，笑言哑哑，震惊百里，不丧匕。
举行祭祀，亨通，惊雷响起时，恐惧不安，修省改过后笑语声声。惊雷炸响，方圆百里都能听到，主祭的君主镇定自若，祭祀活动照常有条不紊地进行，亲手用匕挑牲肉，用酒洒地，匕和酒等祭具没有失落。
Success. When the shock comes, one laughs and speaks cheerfully. The shock terrifies for a hundred li, but he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon.
Holding sacrifices, there is success. When the thunderclap sounds, one is fearful and uneasy, but after self-reflection and reform, there is laughter and speech. The thunderclap explodes, audible for a hundred li around; the presiding ruler remains calm and composed, the sacrificial activities proceed orderly as usual, personally using the spoon to lift the sacrificial meat and sprinkling wine on the ground; the spoon and wine and other sacrificial implements are not lost.
彖曰：震，亨，震来，恐致福也；笑言哑哑，后有则也。
彖辞说：《震》卦，举行祭祀，亨通。惊雷响起来时，人们惶恐不安，因恐惧而谨慎修身，从而带来福泽；笑语声朗朗，是因为害怕后小心反省，遵守常理。
The Commentary says: Zhen means success. When the shock comes, fear leads to blessing; one laughs and speaks cheerfully, for afterward there is rule.
The Tuan Commentary says: The Zhen hexagram, holding sacrifices, there is success. When the thunderclap sounds, people are fearful and uneasy; because of fear, they are cautious in self-cultivation, thus bringing blessings; there is cheerful laughter and speech, because after fear, they carefully reflect and follow constant principles.
象曰：洊雷，震；君子以恐惧修省。
大象辞说：上下卦皆为雷，表示《震》卦。君子从《震》卦中获得启示，应该在恐惧不安中反省改过，加强修养。
The Image says: Thunder repeated: the image of Zhen. The superior man, in fear and trembling, cultivates and examines himself.
The Great Image says: Both upper and lower trigrams are thunder, representing the Zhen hexagram. The superior man, receiving inspiration from the Zhen hexagram, should in fear and unease reflect on faults and strengthen self-cultivation.
象曰：“震来”，恐致福也；“笑言哑哑”，后有则也。
小象辞说：惊雷响起来，人们被吓得惶惶不安，因害怕所以谨慎而带来福泽；笑语声朗朗，害怕后小心反省，遵守常理。
The Image says: 'When the shock comes'—fear leads to blessing. 'One laughs and speaks cheerfully'—afterward there is rule.
The Small Image says: When the thunderclap sounds, people are terrified and uneasy; because of fear, they are cautious, thus bringing blessings; there is cheerful laughter and speech, because after fear, they carefully reflect and follow constant principles.
“震来厉”，乘刚也。
惊雷响起来，十分危险，六二爻以阴乘阳，以柔乘刚，即以弱凌强。
'The shock comes with danger'—because one rides on the strong.
When the thunderclap sounds, it is very dangerous; the second line (six in the second place) rides on the strong with the weak, i.e., the weak overrides the strong.
“震苏苏”，位不当也。
被惊雷吓得惶恐不安，是由于六三爻所处的位置不适当啊。
'The shock terrifies and makes one tremble'—because the position is not appropriate.
Being terrified and uneasy due to the thunderclap is because the position of the third line (six in the third place) is not appropriate.
“震遂泥”，未光也。
被惊雷吓得掉入了泥潭里，说明九四的品德还没有得到光大啊。
'The shock sinks into the mud'—because the light has not yet been manifested.
Being so terrified by the thunderclap as to fall into the mud indicates that the virtue of the fourth line (nine in the fourth place) has not yet been manifested.
“震往来厉”，危行也。
惊雷响起来，往来都很危险，说明行为有危险。
'The shock comes and goes with danger'—because the actions are perilous.
When the thunderclap sounds, both coming and going are dangerous, indicating that the actions are perilous.