Xùn Acquiescence Submission [hexagram 57]

Yang line Yang - controlling line Yin line Yang line Yang line Yin line
Wind penetration
Wood Wood element

Wood Wood
Zhèn [51] Excitation; Enactment
Opposite
Lake Lake
Duì [58] Serenity; Joy
Inverse
Fire Lake
Kuí [38] Opposition; Diversity
Mutual

Lunar month: 8 ; Host or Controlling line : 5
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: , , . Xùn: xiǎo hēng, lì yōu wǎng, lì jiàn dà ren.

Xun intimates that (under the conditions which it denotes) there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous (also) to see the great man.

: , . , , , . Tuàn zhuàn: Chóng xùn yǐ shēn mìng, gāng xùn hū zhōng zhèng ér zhì xíng. róu jiē shùn hū gāng, shì yǐ xiǎo hēng, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, lì jiàn dà ren.

The double Xun shows how, in accordance with it, (governmental) orders are reiterated. (We see that) the strong (fifth line) has penetrated into the central and correct place, and the will (of its subject) is being carried into effect; (we see also) the weak (first and fourth lines) both obedient to the strong lines (above them). It is hence said, ‘There will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous also to see the great man.’

: 随, ; . Xiàng zhuàn: Suí fēng, xùn; jūn zǐ yǐ shēn mìng xíng shì.

(Two trigrams representing) wind, following each other, form Xun. The superior man, in accordance with this, reiterates his orders, and secures the practice of his affairs.

young yang young yang young yin young yang young yang changing yin
I Ching transform
Wind
Heaven
Xiǎo xù [9] Taming; Small accumulation
Change
: 退, . Chū liù: jìn tuì, lì wǔ rén zhī zhēn.

The first ‘six’, divided, shows its subject (now) advancing, (now) receding. It would be advantageous for him to have the firm correctness of a brave soldier.

: 退, . , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jìn tuì, zhì yí yě. lì wǔ rén zhī zhēn, zhì zhì yě.

‘(Now) he advances, (now) he recedes:’ - his mind is perplexed. ‘It would be advantageous for him to have the firmness of a brave soldier:’ - his mind would in that case be well governed.

young yang young yang young yin young yang changing yang young yin
I Ching transform
Wind
Mountain
Jiàn [53] Progression; Gradual development
Change
: , , , . Jiǔ èr: xùn zài chuáng xià, yòng shǐ wū fēn ruò, jí, wú jiù.

The second ‘nine’, undivided, shows the representative of Sun beneath a couch, and employing diviners and exorcists in a way bordering on confusion. There will be good fortune and no error.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Fēn ruò zhī jí, dé zhòng yě.

'The good fortune springing from what borders on confusion' is due to the position (of the line) in the center.

young yang young yang young yin changing yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Wind
Water
Huàn [59] Dissolution; Dispersion
Change
: 频, 吝. Jiǔ sān: pín xùn, lìn.

The third ‘nine’, undivided, shows its subject penetrating (only) by violent and repeated efforts. There will be occasion for regret.

: 频吝, . Xiàng zhuàn: Pín xùn zhī lìn, zhì qióng yě.

‘The regret arising from the violent and repeated efforts to penetrate’ shows the exhaustion of the will.

young yang young yang changing yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Heaven
Wind
Gòu [44] Reaction; Encountering
Change
: , . Liù sì: huǐ wáng, tián huò sān pǐn.

The fourth ‘six’, divided, shows all occasion for repentance (in its subject) passed away. He takes game for its threefold use in his hunting.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Tián huò sān pǐn, yǒu gōng yě.

‘He takes game in his hunting, enough for the threefold use of it:’ - he achieves merit.

young yang changing yang young yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Mountain
Wind
[18] Corruption; Decay
Change
: , . , , , . Jiǔ wǔ: zhēn jí huǐ wáng, wú bù lì. wú chū yǒu zhōng, xiān gēng sān rì, hòu gēng sān rì, jí.

The fifth ‘nine’, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (to its subject). All occasion for repentance will disappear, and all his movements will be advantageous. There may have been no (good) beginning, but there will be a (good) end. Three days before making any changes, (let him give notice of them); and three days after, (let him reconsider them). There will (thus) be good fortune.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Jiǔ wǔ zhī jí, wèi zhèng zhōng yě.

‘The good fortune of (the subject of) the fifth ‘nine’, undivided,’ is owing to its correct position and its being in the center.

changing yang young yang young yin young yang young yang young yin
I Ching transform
Water
Wind
Jǐng [48] Source; Replenish
Change
: , 资斧, . Shàng jiǔ: xùn zài chuáng xià, sàng qí zī fǔ, zhēn xiōng.

The sixth ‘nine’, undivided, shows the representative of penetration beneath a couch, and having lost the ax with which he executed his decisions. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be evil.

: , . 资斧, . Xiàng zhuàn: Xùn zài chuáng xià, shàng qióng yě. Sàng qí zī fǔ, zhèng hū xiōng yě.

‘The representative of penetration is beneath a couch:’ - though occupying the topmost place, his powers are exhausted. ‘He has lost the ax with which he executed his decisions:’ - though he try to be correct, there will be evil.

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

See also