Relationship Formation and Deviation in the Four Marriage Hexagrams of the Zhouyi: Focusing on Xian, Heng, Jian, and Guimei

This study examines relationship formation and deviation in the Four Marriage Hexagrams of the Zhouyi: Xian 咸, Heng 恒, Jian 漸, and Guimei 歸妹. These hexagrams have mainly been understood in relation to male-female relations and marital order. This study reconsiders them through resonance, continuity, procedure, and deviation as major conditions of relationship. The study analyzes the hexagram images and line statements of the four hexagrams and establishes resonance 感應, constant virtue 恒德, a woman’s marriage 女歸, and the marrying maiden 歸妹 as key terms. Based on the Zhouyi text and its commentarial traditions, these terms are examined as semantic categories for the emergence, continuation, formation, and deviation of relationships. Proper relationship formation requires resonance, continuity, and proper procedure and position. Xian presents the beginning of relationship through resonance; Heng presents the principle that sustains relationship; and Jian emphasizes procedure and position for stable union. Guimei reveals imbalance when union has form but lacks proper position and procedure. The phrases “advancing brings misfortune” 征凶 and “nothing is favorable” 无攸利 do not deny marriage itself, but indicate disorder caused by improper position and the imbalance of the soft riding over the firm 柔乘剛. Thus, the Four Marriage Hexagrams clarify both the conditions and limits of relationship within the human order of the lower canon of the Zhouyi.