A bit of a contradiction?

[zeldiac]

As one who is relatively new to Yi, I want to learn and develop my knowledge. It struck me recently, that much of the changing line imagery appears contradictory.

For example, in Hex 58 line 3 the message is very unclear. Good fortune / misfortune. That's just one example, but so many images appear to confuse or contradict. Do you have the same opinion? How does one eventually learn to filter through the imagery anomalies to decipher the meaning in the message? I read lots of information but still I have this ongoing interpretation difficulty.

Regards
Zelda

[jesed]

Hi zeldiac

In the concrete case of 58.3, the line doesn't include "good fortune".

1.- "Coming joyousness. Misfortune.
True joy must spring from within. But if one is empty within and wholly given over to the world, idle pleasures come streaming in from without. This is what many people welcome as diversion. Those who lack inner stability and therefore need amusement, will always find opportunity of indulgence. They attract external pleasures by the emptiness of their natures. Thus they lose themselves more and more, which of course has bad results." (Wilhelm's translation and comment)


2.- "Future joy disappointing. Future joy holds disappointment: The position is not appropriate" (Bradford's translation)

3.- "Expectant exchange, pitfall." (Lise's translation)

More general: many times there are contradiction among 2 or more lines in a reading.. but I don't find contradiction within a single line. maybe you could give another example?

best wishes

[jesed]

ps.- notice that "joy" and "good fortune" aren't the same thing. You could have good fortune and joy; missfotune and joy (like in this line); fortune and sorrow, and misfortune and sorrow... and so on