Hexagram 58
Dui (The Joyous, Lake) - Joy through Openness
兑
Meaning and Overview
The Dui hexagram is one of the eight pure hexagrams, with both upper and lower trigrams being Dui, which represents lake, water, and joy, and is a yin trigram. Its central theme is 'following Heaven and responding to people'—adhering to the laws of the natural order, governing well, and making the common people happy and satisfied is the highest goal of politics. The text says: 'If you bring joy to the people first, they will forget their toil; if you bring joy to them in facing difficulties, they will forget death.' When there are joyful and beneficial matters, think of the people first, and they will serve the ruler wholeheartedly. As for scholar-officials, they should frequently discuss and study how to govern the world well and how to satisfy the people—this is their duty. The Image text says, 'The superior person discusses and studies with friends,' meaning mutual consultation and inspiration. The six lines revolve around how to make the people satisfied with governance. The first line (nine at the beginning) says 'Harmonious joy brings good fortune'—meaning uniting people through the correct path brings auspiciousness. The second line (nine in the second place) says 'Joy through sincerity brings good fortune, regret vanishes'—meaning uniting people through trustworthiness brings auspiciousness. The fourth line (nine in the fourth place) says that mutual discussion and reaching consensus, eliminating estrangement, is a happy event. The fifth line (nine in the fifth place) is in the central position but has a sense of crisis. The third line (six in the third place) rides over the second line (nine in the second place), with the weak riding the strong, deliberately flattering others, thus bringing danger. The top line (six at the top) speaks of enticing and teasing others to be happy, with fortune or misfortune still uncertain. The Image text explains that the Dui hexagram is about academic discussion: 'The superior person discusses and studies with friends'—superior persons discuss, consult, and inspire each other.
Chinese Interpretation
《兑》卦是八纯卦，上下卦皆为兑，兑为泽为水为悦，是阴卦。《兑》卦主旨是“顺乎天而应乎人”，遵守天道规律，搞好政治，让平民百姓高兴满意是政治的最高目标。辞说：“说以先民，民忘其劳，说以犯难，民忘其死。”有高兴快乐有利之事，首先想到民众，民众就会尽心尽力为君主服务。作为士大夫，相互之间要多多讨论讲习如何治理好天下、如何让民众满意，这是他们的职责所在。象辞“君子以朋友讲习”，就是指互相切磋、互相启发。六爻围绕如何让百姓对政治满意来立论。初九“和兑，吉”是说能够以正道团结人，吉祥。九二“孚兑，吉，悔亡”是说能够以诚信团结人，吉祥。九四说能够互相商量讨论达成共识，消除隔阂，是喜事。九五爻居于中位，有危机感。六三爻因为凌乘九二爻，柔乘刚，故意讨好别人，因此，凶险。上六爻说引诱挑逗他人开心，吉凶未定。象辞则说明《兑》卦是学术讨论之卦，“君子以朋友讲习”，君子之间互相讨论、切磋、启发。
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，利贞。
亨通，有利于坚守正道。
Success. Favorable to be steadfast and correct.
Success and progress; it is beneficial to uphold righteousness and perseverance.
初九，和兑，吉。
初九爻，团结一心，和谐相处，高兴快乐，获得吉祥。
Nine at the beginning: Harmonious joy brings good fortune.
The first line: Unity and harmony, joyful interaction, bring auspiciousness.
九二，孚兑，吉，悔亡。
九二爻，以诚信相感，获得信任，高兴快乐，悔恨会消失。
Nine in the second place: Joy through sincerity brings good fortune; regret vanishes.
The second line: Sincerity inspires trust, joy arises, and regret disappears.
六三，来兑，凶。
六三爻，媚求别人高兴快乐，会招来凶险。
Six in the third place: Coming joy (flattery) brings misfortune.
The third line: Flattering others for joy brings danger and misfortune.
九四，商兑未宁，介疾有喜。
九四爻，商量讨论喜悦之事尚未安定，隔绝邪佞之疾则有喜庆。
Nine in the fourth place: Deliberating joy, not yet settled; if one checks illness, there is happiness.
The fourth line: Discussing joy, still unsettled; if one removes evil influences, there will be celebration.
九五，孚于剥，有厉。
九五爻，取信于小人，有危险。
Nine in the fifth place: Sincerity toward the decaying (or small men) brings danger.
The fifth line: Trusting petty people brings peril.
上六，引兑。
上六爻，引诱挑逗他人开心。
Six at the top: Enticing joy (leading others to joy).
The top line: Enticing or seducing others into joy.