或
huo4Mathews: 2402GSR: 929a
Dictionary Definition
perhaps (...or maybe); may/might (be); (most) likely, maybe, perchance, possibly, probably, seemingly, seem (s, ed, ing) to be; tentatively; if, as if, if only, supposing that, were there; in some cases, some chance of, sometime(s), at times, other times, often; somehow, (in) some way, whether; some, someone, somebody (who), something (which), others; either ... or; (the) one ... another, (the) other; something; or, or else; (to be) doubtful, hypothetical, indefinite, possible, uncertain
Radical: 62+4 | First occurrence: Hexagram 01.4
Concordance & Context (25 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 01.4
4th Line★
somehow, perhaps, perchance, maybe
或躍在淵，無咎。
Somehow to dance across the deep*
With no mistakes
Stats: 62+4→ 02.3
3rd Line
(as/but) (for/with) someone, sometimes 06.3
含章可贞。或從王事，無成有終。
Restraint in display is suited to persistence
But for someone engaged in the royal service
No achievement brings closure
→ 06.3
3rd Line
(as, but, yet) (for) someone; (but) sometimes 02.3
食舊德，贞厲，終吉。或從王事，無成。
Incorporating long-standing virtues
In order to be steadfast
Distressing, but in the end, auspicious
Yet for someone engaged in the royal service
There is no completion
→ 06.6
6th Line
somebody, someone; if perhaps, somehow
或錫之鞶帶，終朝三褫之。
If somehow one is awarded the leather belt and ribbons
By the end of the morning they will be three times stripped away
→ 07.3
3rd Line
may, might be; likely; perhaps, perchance
師或輿尸，凶。
A militia likely to transport fatalities
Brutal
→ 25.3
3rd Line
(as) (when) somebody, someone; sometimes
無妄之災，或繫之牛，行人之得，邑人之災。
One without pretense still has misfortunes
Sometimes tying one’s ox
Means the drifter’s gain
And the townsfolk’s disaster
→ 32.2
Xiao Xiang 4
somehow
或躍在淵，進無咎也。
01.4x Somehow to dance across the deep:
To make progress is not a mistake
Xiao Xiang 3
someone
含章可贞，以時發也。或從王事，知光大也。
02.3x Restraining display (is) suited to persistence:
For the sake of timely development
* Someone engaged in the royal service
Knows (and) honors the whole
Xiao Xiang 3
likely to
師或輿屍，大無功也。
07.3x A militia likely to transport fatalities:
Wholly lacking in merit
3rd Line
perhaps, maybe; somehow, sometimes
不恆其德，或承之羞。贞吝。
Lacking continuity in one’s character
Somehow continuing in such unworthiness
What persists is embarrassment
→ 01.4
5th Line
somebody, someone 42.2
或益之十朋之龜，弗克違，元吉。
Somebody grants one ten matched pairs of tortoise shells
One cannot refuse
Outstanding opportunity
→ 01.4
2nd Line
somebody, someone 41.5
或益之十朋之龜，弗克違，永贞吉。王用享于帝，吉。
Somebody grants one ten matched pairs of tortoise shells
One cannot refuse
Enduring commitment is promising
The sovereign presents offerings to the divine*
Promising
→ 01.4
Xiao Xiang 2
somebody
或益之，自外來也。
42.2x Somebody grants this:
(It) comes from beyond
6th Line
somebody, someone, some
莫益之，或擊之。立心勿恆，凶。
Nobody increases this one
Somebody assaults this one
Adopting an inconstant heart
Disappointing
→ 01.4
Xiao Xiang 6
somebody
莫益之，偏辭也。或擊之，自外來也。
42.6x Nobody increases this one:
One-sided expression
* Somebody assaults this one:
(This) comes from beyond
4th Line
somehow, perhaps, perchance
鴻漸于木，或得其桷，無咎。
The wild goose advances by degrees to the trees
Perchance to find that flat branch
No harm done
→ 01.4
Xiao Xiang 4
perchance
或得其桷，順以巽也。
53.4x Perchance to find that flat branch:
Accepting in order to adapt
3rd Line
maybe; perhaps, perchance; sometimes
得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
Finding one’s counterpart
Perhaps to beat the drum, or maybe to quit
Perhaps to weep, or maybe to sing
→ 01.4
(or) maybe; perhaps, perchance; sometimes
得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
Finding one’s counterpart
Perhaps to beat the drum, or maybe to quit
Perhaps to weep, or maybe to sing
ma ybe; perhaps, perchance; sometmes
得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
Finding one’s counterpart
Perhaps to beat the drum, or maybe to quit
Perhaps to weep, or maybe to sing
(or) maybe; perhaps, perchance; sometimes
得敵，或鼓或罷，或泣或歌。
Finding one’s counterpart
Perhaps to beat the drum, or maybe to quit
Perhaps to weep, or maybe to sing
Xiao Xiang 3
perhaps
或鼓或罷，位不當也。
61.3x Perhaps to beat the drum, (or) maybe to quit:
The position is not appropriate
(or) maybe
或鼓或罷，位不當也。
61.3x Perhaps to beat the drum, (or) maybe to quit:
The position is not appropriate
3rd Line
som ebody, someone; might; sometimes
弗過防之，從或戕之，凶。
One is never beyond defending oneself
From behind someone might attack here
Unlucky
→ 01.4
Xiao Xiang 3
someone might
從或戕之，凶如何也。
62.3x From behind someone might attack here:
Bad luck (only) seems responsible
Homophones (huo)
火huo3(a, the) fire, flame, light (s)穫huo4(to, the) harvest, reap, yield, cut獲huo4(to) capture, catch, take, take in hunting, trap, net, hit, seize, grasp, hold, find, get, obtain, apprehend, steal, acquire, gain, secure, succeed; entail, involve (s, -ed, -ing); (a, the) success, game, quarry, plunder, prisoner, prey, captive, acquisition, spoil (s); to be able
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