I-Ching Hexagram 56
旅 The Wanderer
Also known as Travelling
A traveller in strange country: few possessions, no standing, dependent on local hospitality. The figure counsels modest aims, watchful manners, and the discipline of not lingering — whether in a dispute, a grievance, or a place.
wanderer · travelling · stranger
The Story
A traveler, alone in a country where he spoke the language badly, learned a few small rules quickly: pay promptly, laugh at one's own confusion, sleep lightly, trust slowly, leave before one is asked to. He kept no lasting quarrels and made no large promises. In this way he crossed three provinces without loss and arrived home with stories no one at home could have gathered. "In one's own country, be a citizen," he told his son. "In another's, be a guest — always alert, always modest, always ready to leave with thanks."
The Judgment
The Wanderer. Success through smallness. Perseverance brings good fortune to the wanderer.
The Image
Fire on the mountain: the image of the wanderer. Thus the superior person is clear-minded and cautious in imposing penalties, and protracts no lawsuits.
Interpretation
A traveller in strange country: few possessions, no standing, dependent on local hospitality. The figure counsels modest aims, watchful manners, and the discipline of not lingering — whether in a dispute, a grievance, or a place. Success comes in small, concrete ways.
Trigrams
The Six Lines
- First (Bottom) If the wanderer busies themselves with trivial things, they draw down misfortune upon themselves. Petty concerns in a foreign place attract trouble.
- Second The wanderer comes to an inn. He has his property with him. He wins the steadfastness of a young servant. Good fortune. A good stopping-place, a loyal helper — the traveller's small blessing.
- Third The wanderer's inn burns down. He loses the steadfastness of his young servant. Perseverance brings danger. Over-reach in a foreign land loses both shelter and support.
- Fourth The wanderer rests in a shelter. He obtains his property and an axe. My heart is not glad. A footing, but not home; uneasy progress.
- Fifth He shoots a pheasant. It drops with the first arrow. In the end this brings both praise and office. A precise, public act that wins recognition for the stranger.
- Sixth (Top) The bird's nest burns up. The wanderer laughs at first, then must needs lament and weep. Through carelessness he loses his cow. Misfortune. Casual confidence at the end of the journey invites catastrophe.