Gou 天風姤
A time of unexpected encounters
A sudden connection or offer arrives. Even if it sounds sweet, look at it carefully first.
What does I Ching hexagram 44 (Coming to Meet) mean?
An unexpected encounter, a hexagram of chance. A sudden connection needs careful scrutiny.
- Coming to Meet in love
- A sudden meeting happens, but look carefully before you get deeply involved.
- Coming to Meet at work and with money
- An unexpected offer arrives, so review it carefully.
- Advice
- The more accidental the meeting, the more you should discern.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Coming to Meet
Neutral“The woman is powerful. Do not marry this woman.”
The Image: Wind beneath heaven: coming to meet. The ruler issues commands and announces them to the four quarters.
原文 · 女壯，勿用取女。 / 天下有風，姤；后以施命誥四方。
The six lines of hexagram 44
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初六
Caution“Tied to a metal brake, perseverance brings good fortune. Going forward leads to misfortune. A lean pig, sincerely, stamps about.”
Hold the line against temptation, since a small, weak thing can become dangerous.
原文 · 系于金柅，貞吉，有攸往，見凶，羸豕，孚，蹢躅。
Line 2 · 九二
Caution“There is a fish in the bag; no blame, but not fitting for guests.”
Keep what you have under your own control; don’t share it around.
原文 · 包有魚，无咎，不利賓。
Line 3 · 九三
Misfortune“No skin on the thighs; walking with difficulty; danger, but no great blame.”
You’re uncomfortable and stuck, but not in serious trouble.
原文 · 臀无膚，其行次且，厲，无大咎。
Line 4 · 九四
Misfortune“No fish in the bag: rising brings misfortune.”
You have lost your connection with the people. Don’t rise to action.
原文 · 包无魚，起凶。
Line 5 · 九五
Neutral“Wrapping a melon in willow leaves; hidden brilliance; something falls from heaven.”
Quiet integrity attracts unexpected good luck from above.
原文 · 以杞包瓜，含章，有隕自天。
Line 6 · 上九
Neutral“Meeting with the horns; humiliation, but no blame.”
You’re isolated by your own harshness. A little shame, but harmless.
原文 · 姤其角，吝，无咎。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 24. Fu (Return)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 43. Guai (Breakthrough)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.