Hexagram 56: The Wanderer
Outer trigram (upper)
Ly
Fire · Fire
Inner trigram (lower)
Cấn
Mountain · Earth
Judgment
旅：小亨，旅貞，吉.
Translation
The Wanderer: modest success. The traveler who holds to what is right fares well.
Commentary
Li (fire) sits above, Gen (mountain) below. Fire spreads across the mountain, moving on without a fixed place to settle. Someone traveling far from home occupies a vulnerable position and must stay humble and careful, holding to the right path, in order to fare well.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yin)
初六：旅瑣瑣，斯其所取災.
Translation
The traveler fusses over petty, trivial matters — this is how he brings misfortune upon himself.
Commentary
This yin line sits at the very bottom. The traveler, petty and small-minded, fails to conduct himself with care and brings trouble on himself.
Line 2 (yin)
六二：旅即次，懷其資，得童僕貞.
Translation
The traveler arrives at an inn, keeps hold of his funds, and gains a loyal attendant.
Commentary
This yin line holds the central and correct position. The traveler acts wisely: he finds lodging, keeps his resources secure, and gains a trustworthy helper — altogether a favorable state of affairs.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：旅焚其次，喪其童僕，貞厲.
Translation
The traveler burns down the inn and loses his attendant; even holding to what is right, danger remains.
Commentary
This yang line is neither central nor correctly placed. Its excessive rigidity provokes conflict, likened to burning down the very inn that sheltered him, and he loses his helper. Danger persists even while he tries to do right.
Line 4 (yang)
九四：旅于處，得其資斧，我心不快.
Translation
The traveler finds a place to stay and gains funds and an axe, yet his heart is not at ease.
Commentary
This yang line is correctly placed but not central. His situation is only provisional — temporary lodging, resources, and a weapon for self-protection — so despite these gains, he does not feel truly settled, and his heart remains uneasy.
Line 5 (yin)
六五：射雉，一矢亡，終以譽命.
Translation
He shoots at a pheasant and loses a single arrow; in the end, he gains renown and receives a commission.
Commentary
This yin line holds the central position of honor. The single arrow spent on the pheasant represents talent and effort applied; in the end he becomes recognized and is granted rank — a favorable outcome.
Line 6 (yang)
上九：鳥焚其巢，旅人先笑後號啕，喪牛于易，凶.
Translation
The bird's nest burns; the traveler laughs at first, then weeps aloud. He loses his ox on level ground — misfortune.
Commentary
This yang line stands at the extreme, arrogant and self-important — like a bird that burns its own nest. Joy turns to grief, and he loses his wealth in the easiest, most unexpected of circumstances. Misfortune.