Hexagram 56

The Wanderer

火山旅 · 旅 · Lǚ | Fire over Mountain

Fire on the mountain moves on; the traveler stays modest and alert.

TravelCautionAdaptabilityModesty

Upper trigram

离 · Fire

Lower trigram

艮 · Mountain

The Judgment

“Success in small things. Perseverance brings good fortune to the wanderer.”

The Lines

Six at the beginningIf the wanderer busies himself with trifles, he draws disaster down upon himself.

Six in the second placeThe wanderer comes to an inn; he keeps his goods and gains the loyalty of a young servant.

Nine in the third placeThe wanderer's inn burns down; he loses the loyalty of his young servant. Danger.

Nine in the fourth placeThe wanderer finds a resting place; he gets his property and an axe. But my heart is not glad.

Six in the fifth placeHe shoots a pheasant; one arrow is lost. In the end this brings praise and a mandate.

Nine at the topThe bird's nest burns up. The wanderer first laughs, then must lament and weep. He loses his ox too readily. Misfortune.

Line texts are an original modern translation of the classical Zhou Yi (public domain).

Meaning

Fire flickers over the mountain, never resting—the image of the traveler. Far from home and without support, the wanderer succeeds through caution and tact.

Guidance

In unfamiliar territory, stay modest, careful, and considerate; do not overreach as a stranger.

When This Hexagram Appears

Operating away from your base or comfort zone, where prudence and good manners earn safe passage.

FAQ about Hexagram 56

What does Hexagram 56, The Wanderer, mean?

The Wanderer (火山旅, hexagram 56 of the I Ching). Fire flickers over the mountain, never resting—the image of the traveler. Far from home and without support, the wanderer succeeds through caution and tact.

What is the Judgment of the The Wanderer hexagram?

The Judgment reads: “Success in small things. Perseverance brings good fortune to the wanderer.” Fire on the mountain moves on; the traveler stays modest and alert.

What guidance does Hexagram 56 offer?

In unfamiliar territory, stay modest, careful, and considerate; do not overreach as a stranger.

When does the The Wanderer hexagram apply?

Operating away from your base or comfort zone, where prudence and good manners earn safe passage.

Related Hexagrams

Opposite Hexagram

No. 60 · Limitation

Every line changed to its opposite — the mirror situation.

Reversed Hexagram

No. 55 · Abundance

The same figure turned upside down — the view from the other side.