I Ching Reading

Hexagram 56: The Wanderer

旅 · Lǚ · Fire over Mountain

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The Wanderer (旅, Lǚ) is hexagram 56 of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, in the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Fire (☲) above Mountain (☶).

Meaning of hexagram 56

You are far from home or without firm footing. Be modest, careful and adaptable, since you cannot rely on your usual support.

Advice

Keep a low profile, be courteous and do not overstay your welcome.

The two trigrams

The Wanderer places ☲ Fire (Lí), bright, clinging and clear, above ☶ Mountain (Gèn), still, steady and restrained. The lower trigram is the inner side of the situation and the upper one its outer side.

Hexagram
56. The Wanderer
Chinese name
旅 Lǚ
Upper trigram
☲ Fire (Lí)
Lower trigram
☶ Mountain (Gèn)
Lines
3 yang (solid) and 3 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
56 of 64 (King Wen order)

The six lines of The Wanderer

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 (yin, broken): 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 (yang, solid): 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 (yang, solid): the culmination. The far edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.

Related hexagrams