The Arousing Thunder
The Repeated Shock
Legge's 1899 Zhen says a hundred li, not miles; line two promises lost possessions back after seven days.
Yijing, Zhen, Judgement, Image commentary and lines 1–2, 4 and 6; METIS pp. 97–99; Legge (1899), METIS I Ging (2023).
Thunder above thunder: six lines forming the I Ching hexagram Zhen.
More context
Zhen repeats the thunder trigram. The judgement describes a shock terrifying people a hundred li away, while the worshipper retains his sacrificial ladle and cup. The Image turns apprehension towards cultivating virtue and examining faults. The line texts vary the response to disturbance. The first moves from alarm to cheerful speech. The second counsels releasing possessions rather than chasing them, with their recovery after seven days. The fourth portrays a figure sinking into mud. The text combines ritual steadiness with situations where letting go is appropriate.
Light
The judgement preserves the worshipper’s sacrificial vessels amid alarm; the Image turns fear towards examining faults and cultivating virtue.
Shadow
The fourth line depicts sinking into mud; the final line describes breathless dismay and warns against action.