Hexagram 44: Coming to Meet

Trigrams

Upper trigram: Qian (Heaven) · Lower trigram: Xun (Wind)

Judgment

The woman is strong (dominant); do not marry such a woman (i.e., caution against an unbalanced encounter).

Image

Wind beneath heaven: coming to meet. The ruler issues commands to all directions.

Meaning of Hexagram Coming to Meet

Coming to Meet (姤) is hexagram #44 of the 64 I-Ching hexagrams, formed by the upper trigram Qian (Heaven) and lower trigram Xun (Wind). It represents an unplanned encounter; caution needed with what seems attractive at first. When this hexagram is cast, the querent should meditate on the judgment and image to grasp what the Yi is saying about the current situation.

The Six Lines Explained

First Yin Line (Line 1)

"Restrain it with a metal brake; uprightness brings good fortune; if allowed to advance, there is misfortune. Like a lean pig, it will eventually leap about wildly"

Stopping it with a metal brake makes correctness auspicious; if allowed to advance, it is inauspicious — like a lean, weak pig that will one day leap about wildly. This is a warning that negative factors must be stopped while still small, and one should not be complacent just because they appear weak now.

Second Yang Line (Line 2)

"There is a fish in the wrapping, no blame; it is not favorable for guests"

Keeping the fish enclosed in a wrapper brings no blame, but it should not be allowed to meet guests. This line has the ability to control a bad influence, but must prevent it from spreading or coming into contact with other factors.

Third Yang Line (Line 3)

"Buttocks without skin, walking haltingly; there is danger, but no great blame"

Like buttocks without skin, walking unsteadily; there may be danger but no serious blame. This line is in an awkward, unsettled situation, but by adhering to correct principle avoids serious error.

Fourth Yang Line (Line 4)

"No fish in the wrapping; misfortune arises"

There is no fish in one's wrapper; misfortune will arise. This line loses the trust of subordinates due to one's own fault (disloyalty, impropriety), leading to bad consequences.

Fifth Yang Line (Line 5)

"Using willow leaves to wrap the melon, containing inner virtue, blessing falls from heaven"

Using willow branches to shelter the melon vine, containing good virtue within, blessing falls from heaven. This line, in a high position, has the virtue of tolerance, sheltering those below without boasting, and is thus blessed by heaven.

Sixth Yang Line (Line 6)

"Meeting with the horns; regret, but no one to blame"

Meeting others with one's horns (a clash), regrettable, with no one else to blame. This final line, in an overly rigid position, leads to unnecessary conflict, but the fault lies only in one's own excessive rigidity.

The Transformed Hexagram

The hexagram has Xun (Wind) as the inner trigram and Qian (Heaven) as the outer trigram — it is the inverse hexagram of Ze Tian Guai (Resoluteness, hexagram 43). This marks the starting point of the cycle of yin growth (a new yin line appears beneath five yang lines).

Applications by Area of Life

Work & Career

This hexagram speaks of encounter and connection — it may signal a newly emerging risk (a small negative factor at first) that must be controlled immediately (as in the First and Second lines) before it grows strong.

Love & Relationships

This hexagram may indicate unexpected encounters, requiring careful evaluation of the person one meets before advancing further (as advised by "do not marry hastily" in the Judgment text).

Health

One should pay attention to stopping minor signs of illness from the very beginning (as in the First line, "the lean pig will one day grow strong"), avoiding complacency.

Wealth

One should be alert to newly emerging financial risks, even if they initially seem small and not worrisome. Tight control should be maintained from the very start.

Frequently Asked Questions about Coming to Meet

What does the Heaven over Wind (Encounter) hexagram mean?

Encounter (Cau) means to meet. This hexagram speaks of an unexpected meeting between opposing elements (a new yin line appearing among yang lines), which can be good or bad depending on how one responds.

Why does this hexagram have two contradictory interpretations (good and bad)?

According to the teachings, the first interpretation regards this as a sign of a newly emerging small-minded person requiring caution (as warned in the First line); the second interpretation (according to Confucius) regards this as the natural "meeting" of yin and yang that gives rise to all things — the meaning depends on perspective and the specific context of the situation.

What is the meaning of the lesson "stop it while it is still small" in this hexagram?

The First line emphasizes: a negative factor, even though currently small and weak (like a "lean pig"), still has the potential to grow strong in the future — a lesson about not being complacent and dealing with problems from the very early stage.