I Ching Reading

Hexagram 51: The Arousing

震 · Zhèn · Thunder over Thunder

shockawakeningalertnesscomposure

The Arousing (震, Zhèn) is hexagram 51 of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, in the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Thunder (☳) above Thunder (☳).

Meaning of hexagram 51

Sudden shock, like thunder, jolts you awake. The fright passes quickly and leaves you more alert.

Advice

Stay calm when startled, use the wake-up call and examine your conduct.

The two trigrams

The Arousing doubles the trigram ☳ Thunder (Zhèn): arousing, sudden and energetic above and below, the quality of thunder at its purest.

Hexagram
51. The Arousing
Chinese name
震 Zhèn
Upper trigram
☳ Thunder (Zhèn)
Lower trigram
☳ Thunder (Zhèn)
Lines
2 yang (solid) and 4 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
51 of 64 (King Wen order)

The six lines of The Arousing

A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. In a reading, a changing line (a 6 or a 9 in the three-coin method) draws attention to its position.

  1. First line (yang, solid): the beginning. The root of the matter: early stirrings, foundations, and what has not yet shown itself.
  2. Second line (yin, broken): the inner circle. Your immediate surroundings and steady supports: how things work at close range.
  3. Third line (yin, broken): the threshold. A point of tension between inner and outer, often a test or a restless push forward.
  4. Fourth line (yang, solid): the approach. Stepping into wider circles or nearer to authority; caution and good relationships matter here.
  5. Fifth line (yin, broken): the center of power. The place of influence and clear leadership: where the situation is most fully expressed.
  6. Sixth line (yin, broken): the culmination. The far edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.

Related hexagrams