Difficulty at the Beginning
屯 (Zhūn)
Hexagram #3
Hexagram Structure
Upper Trigram
Water
Lower Trigram
Thunder
Core Essence
Keywords
Meaning
Represents the difficulty that comes with new beginnings. Like a young plant pushing through hard earth.
Guidance
Persevere through initial difficulties. Seek help and don't try to advance too quickly.
Classical Texts
Judgment
Difficulty at the Beginning works supreme success, furthering through perseverance.
屯：元亨利贞。勿用有攸往，利建侯。
Image
Clouds and thunder: the image of Difficulty at the Beginning. Thus the superior man brings order out of confusion.
云雷屯，君子以经纶。
Hexagram Story & Origin
The Difficulty at the Beginning hexagram describes the difficult situation when all things are first born. The character 'Zhun' originally means the difficulty of grass and trees breaking through the soil when first sprouting. Legend tells that when Yu the Great was born, floods were raging and the world was in difficulty, but it was precisely in this predicament that a hero for flood control was nurtured. The story of King Goujian of Yue sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall also embodies the spirit of Zhun - accumulating strength in difficulties and waiting for the right moment. This hexagram teaches us: difficulty is the necessary path for growth, the key is to have unwavering will.
Detailed Analysis
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