What this hexagram is about
Thunderclap upon thunderclap — the image of shock and upheaval. Only the one who, amid sudden alarm, keeps calm in danger, holds reverence in the heart, and turns to examine himself can turn the shock to peace.
The Judgment 卦辞
震亨。震来虩虩，笑言哑哑。震惊百里，不丧匕鬯。
Shock brings success. Shock comes — startling, startling; then laughter and talk — ha, ha. The shock terrifies for a hundred miles, yet he does not let fall the sacrificial ladle and wine.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：洊雷，震；君子以恐惧修省。
Thunder rolls again and again; so the noble person, in fear and trembling, examines and amends himself.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
震来虩虩，恐致福也。
Shock comes, startling and fearful — but such fear can lead to blessing.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top震索索，视矍矍，征凶。震不于其躬，于其邻，无咎。婚媾有言。
The thunder comes, the legs give way, one looks about in alarm; to go rashly forward now brings misfortune. The shock has not yet reached oneself but only the neighbors — to take warning beforehand is to be without fault; only in matters of marriage there may be some idle talk.
Six in the fifth place震往来厉，亿无丧，有事。
The thunder comes and goes, danger pressing close; yet, weighing the lay of things, there is no great loss, and one may still hold one's place and carry on the task.
Six in the fourth place震遂泥。
The thunder, but mired and unable to rouse itself — the firm sunk among the yielding, its force held back.
Nine in the third place震苏苏，震行无眚。
The thunder comes and one is shaken and uneasy; but to go on with care amid the dread is to come to no harm.
Six in the second place震来厉，亿丧贝，跻于九陵，勿逐，七日得。
The thunder comes with peril close upon it; fearing the loss of great wealth, one flees up to the high hills. Do not chase the lost goods — after many days they return of themselves.
Initial Six震来虩虩，后笑言哑哑，吉。
When the thunder comes, all are seized with dread and caution; and when it passes, there is laughter and easy talk as before — through fear comes blessing, and one keeps oneself in the face of danger — good fortune.