The Marrying Maiden

歸妹以娣，跛能履，征吉。

The younger sister marries as a secondary wife. One who limps can still walk. Setting out is favorable.

The accompanying bride has a subordinate place, yet the image of walking despite a limp supports a favorable verdict for advance. Changing Line 1 makes Water below Thunder, Hexagram 40. Release is a contrasting theme beside action within a limited role.

眇能視，利幽人之貞。

One who is blind in one eye can still see. The constancy of one who lives apart is beneficial.

Limited sight remains useful, and Line 2 favors the constancy of a person who lives apart. Its change makes Thunder below Thunder, Hexagram 51. Private steadiness and repeated shock form the contrast.

歸妹以須，反歸以娣。

The younger sister waits to marry; she returns and marries as a secondary wife.

In the waiting interpretation retained here, Line 3 returns to marriage in a secondary role. Changing it makes Heaven below Thunder, Hexagram 34. The comparison places reduced standing beside great power, whose text also requires constancy.

歸妹愆期，遲歸有時。

The younger sister misses the appointed time. Delayed marriage still has its time.

The delayed marriage in Line 4 still has an appropriate time. Its change makes Earth above Lake, Hexagram 19. Approach can be compared with waiting for a fitting occasion.

帝乙歸妹，其君之袂，不如其娣之袂良。月幾望，吉。

Di Yi gives his younger sister in marriage. The principal bride's sleeves are less fine than those of her accompanying younger bride. The moon is nearly full. Favorable.

In the marriage arranged by Di Yi, the principal bride’s less elaborate sleeves put status beside modest display. The nearly full moon accompanies a favorable verdict. Changing Line 5 makes Lake above Lake, Hexagram 58, adding joy to the comparison.

女承筐无實，士刲羊无血，无攸利。

The woman holds an empty basket; the man slaughters a sheep, but no blood flows. Nothing is beneficial.

An empty basket and a bloodless sacrifice leave the marriage rite without its expected substance. Changing Line 6 makes Fire above Lake, Hexagram 38. The contrast with opposition concerns the relation between an outward rite and the bond it is meant to express.