What this hexagram is about
Fire upon the mountain, moving on and never resting — the image of the traveler and the wandering life. In a strange land one should be yielding and humble, careful in word and deed, and keep to one's proper part — only so are mishaps few.
The Judgment 卦辞
旅，小亨，旅贞吉。
Modest success. For the wanderer, perseverance brings good fortune.
The Image 大象传
《象》曰：山上有火，旅；君子以明慎用刑，而不留狱。
Fire upon the mountain, passing on; so the noble person is clear and careful in punishment, and lets no trial linger.
Commentary on the Lines 小象传
旅琐琐，志穷灾也。
The wanderer fussing over trifles — the will is spent, and disaster follows.
The Six Lines (hover over the figure above)
Nine at the top鸟焚其巢，旅人先笑后号咷。丧牛于易，凶。
The bird burns its own nest — perched too high and proud, destroying its own refuge; the traveler first laughs in triumph, then, undone, weeps aloud. And he loses the ox too easily at the border town — the gentle, yielding virtue wholly gone; misfortune.
Six in the fifth place射雉一矢亡，终以誉命。
Shooting the pheasant, one loses an arrow, yet in the end wins praise and an office for it — a small loss bringing a large gain.
Nine in the fourth place旅于处，得其资斧，我心不快。
The traveler finds a place to rest for a time and gains the means and tools of a living; yet, lodged under another's roof, it is no true home, and the heart is still ill at ease.
Six in the third place旅焚其次，丧其童仆，贞厉。
The traveler burns down his own lodging and loses his loyal young servant — handling the journey amiss, harmed above and below; to keep to this holds danger.
Six in the second place旅即次，怀其资，得童仆贞。
The traveler finds lodging and rest, carries provision and means, and gains besides the help of a loyal young servant — at ease on the road, and well attended.
Initial Nine旅琐琐，斯其所取灾。
In one's wandering, to fuss and haggle over petty trifles — a mean spirit and small measure — this is the very way to bring calamity on oneself.