I Ching · No.57 · Sun / The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)

Primary Hexagram

Original Text (The Judgment)

Sun 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.

Translation

Sun Hexagram. Small success. It is beneficial to have a destination, and beneficial to see great men. The Image says: This hexagram is formed by doubling the Sun trigram; Sun represents wind, thus the continuous wind follows, blowing incessantly. This is the image of Sun. The gentleman, observing this image, models himself on the incessantly blowing wind, thereby repeatedly clarifying teachings, repeatedly issuing government decrees, and instilling the great principles of social order.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Submissive and accommodating, acting with humility; gaining help from noble people, benefits lie in distant places. Small good fortune: Those who obtain this hexagram experience fluctuating fortune; it is advisable to adapt to circumstances and act with humility, which will bring unexpected gains.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The fortune is smooth; all matters are suitable.
• Wealth 财运: Adapt to circumstances; profits can be expected.
• Household 家宅: One can live in peace; husband and wife are in harmony.
• Health 身体: Possible stroke, requiring assistance to walk.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The path of fortune is smooth; all matters are highly suitable.
• Business 营商: In business, it is best to adapt to circumstances and act according to instructions; in this way, profit can be made.
• Fame & Career 功名: 'Wind follows the tiger'; there is the sign of a tiger's transformation.
• Warfare 战征: The execution of military orders should be swift as wind and fire; once issued, they must be executed without hesitation.
• Marriage 婚姻: Relying on parents' command and matchmakers' words, this is the proper ritual. Husband and wife are in harmony, growing old together, auspicious.
• Illness 疾病: It is wind-dampness numbness, requiring support from others to walk.
• Litigation 讼事: It is necessary to resubmit the petition.
• Lost Items 失物: Blown away by the wind; it is necessary to search repeatedly, and it may be recovered.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by doubling the same trigram (Sun below, Sun above). Sun is wind; two winds are superimposed, the continuous wind never ends, penetrating everywhere. Sun means submission. A humble attitude and behavior will lead to success in all endeavors.

• Overall Image 大象: This hexagram consists of two superimposed Sun winds. Sun means entering; wherever the wind goes, it penetrates everywhere, just as government decrees are issued and deeply penetrate the hearts of the people.
• Fortune 运势: Full of twists and turns, with fortune rising and falling unstably. One must adapt to circumstances, remain calm and peaceful, and hold fast to what is good.
• Career 事业: Currently developing; one should advance courageously to overcome all difficulties and dangers, striving upward. The beginning of all things is difficult, and there will be initial setbacks, but with the help of virtuous and powerful individuals, there will be ideal results.
• Business 经商: Market competition is fierce and risks are high. Business activities must be cautious, adhering to business ethics, and treating peers, customers, and even competitors with humility; profits will surely be achieved.
• Seeking Fame 求名: Treat everything with humility, but do not be self-deprecating, weak, affected, or hypocritical; in this way, progress will be rapid.
• Love & Marriage 婚恋: One must not adopt a frivolous attitude, but should be cautious and show mutual respect.
• Decision 决策: Smart, flexible in mind, and cheerful in character. Dealing with the world with humility will bring popularity from all sides and appreciation from superiors. Humility should not be excessive; it must be premised on strength and correctness, and must never manifest as weakness or hypocrisy. Otherwise, it is detrimental to personal growth.

II. Line Statements

Six at the Beginning 初六

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

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

Line Text (Translation)

First Six: Advancing and retreating under command; this is a divination beneficial for military men. The Image says: Advancing and retreating under command is due to having no preconceived opinions of one's own. It is proper for a military man to have a firm will, for only with a firm will can he be brave, fearless, and calm in the face of danger.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Average: Those who obtain this line have both gains and losses; the unfavorable ones will attract much slander. Officials may have corvée duties, experiencing inconsistency in advance and retreat, or holding concurrent powers, finding ease amidst difficulties.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Schemes fail to materialize; consider joining the military.
• Wealth 财运: Hesitant and indecisive; no profit to be made.
• Household 家宅: Facing west is beneficial; intermarriage with the military.
• Health 身体: Actively strengthen the body.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The path of fortune is not straight, and the mind is hesitant; hence, all plans are chaotic and fail.
• Business 营商: 'Sun' inherently brings profit, but fails due to doubt and succeeds through decisiveness; understand that those who hesitate will find it hard to profit.
• Fame & Career 功名: Success can be achieved in military careers.
• Marriage 婚姻: Should not be a refined scholar, but a brave military officer.
• Household 家宅: This house faces southeast; its position is improper, causing inconvenience in advance and retreat. It is beneficial to change it to face west.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

Hsiâo Khû indicates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. (We see) dense clouds, but no rain coming from our borders in the west.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

Hsiao Ch'u (The Taming Power of the Small) hexagram. Auspicious. Dense clouds gather in the western outskirts, but no rain falls. The Image says: The upper trigram is Sun, representing wind; the lower trigram is Ch'ien, representing heaven. The gentle wind blows across the earth, the grass and trees bend and rise, growing vigorously. This is the image of Hsiao Ch'u. The gentleman, observing this image, emulates the gentle wind that stimulates all things, cultivating his own virtue and character, and promoting moral teachings.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Weak in strength, progress is blocked; hide one's talents and bide one's time, advance with patience. Slightly inauspicious: For those who obtain this hexagram, their strength is weak, and their fortune fluctuates. It is advisable to build up strength and quietly wait for the right opportunity. Rushing forward brings danger, and everything must be advanced with patience.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by stacking two different trigrams (Ch'ien below, Sun above): Ch'ien is heaven, Sun is wind. It symbolizes favorable weather and growing crops, hence the hexagram name Hsiao Ch'u (Lesser Nourishment / Small Taming). Strength is limited, and one must wait until developing to a certain stage before major achievements can be made.

Nine in the Second Place 二九

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

The second line, 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.

Line Text (Translation)

Nine Two: The patient is confined to bed, while priests and shamans call down the spirits, perform sacrifices, and busy themselves exorcising ghosts and expelling disasters. The illness improves, and the disaster is eliminated. The Image says: The priests and shamans are busy exorcising ghosts and expelling disasters; the reason the illness improves is that the yang line of Nine Two resides in the center of the lower trigram. Having attained the proper line character, the disaster naturally retreats.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Auspicious: Those who obtain this line treat people with sincerity and succeed in their plans. Officials have opportunities for promotion.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Protected by the deities; the path of fortune is smooth.
• Wealth 财运: Difficult to decide on buying or selling; it is best to divine.
• Household 家宅: Pray with sincerity; divining about it is auspicious.
• Health 身体: Worship to avoid blame.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Receiving the protection of the deities; the path of fortune is mostly auspicious.
• Business 营商: When transporting goods, if there is indecisiveness, one should consult divination, which will naturally guide to good fortune.
• Fame & Career 功名: Receiving divine assistance; auspicious.
• Warfare 战征: The position is low, and advance or retreat is difficult; at this time, only by praying to the deities can one obtain good fortune. No blame.
• Marriage 婚姻: Divining about it is auspicious.
• Household 家宅: Appropriate to pray.
• Illness 疾病: Appropriate to worship the Bed Gods, and naturally there will be no blame.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

Kien suggests to us the marriage of a young lady, and the good fortune (attending it). There will be advantage in being firm and correct.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

Jian (Gradual Progress) Hexagram. A woman's marriage is good. This is a favorable divination. The Image says: The lower trigram of this hexagram is Gen, representing mountain; the upper trigram is Xun, representing wood. Wood planted on the mountain grows continuously; this is the image of Jian. The superior man, observing this image, emulates the mountain nurturing the forest, thereby dwelling in virtue and taking on the social responsibility of refining customs.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Progressing in an orderly sequence, accumulating the small to achieve the great; gradual progress leads to benefit, while haste leads to failure. Minor good fortune: For those who obtain this hexagram, luck will gradually open up. All matters should progress step-by-step, then planning will succeed. Impatience is not advised; haste leads to failure.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by stacking two different trigrams (Gen below, Xun above). Gen represents mountain, and Xun represents wood. There are trees on the mountain growing gradually, and the mountain rises accordingly. This is a process of gradual progress, hence called Jian. Jian means progress, advancing gradually without haste.

Nine in the Third Place 三九

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

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

Line Text (Translation)

Nine Three: Forcing submission, one's mind will surely not be at ease. The Image says: Forcing submission while the mind is not at ease indicates that this is out of helplessness.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Ominous: Those who obtain this line face low fortune and the adversity of poverty. Officials have the worry of demotion.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Low status and low ambition, looked down upon by others.
• Wealth 财运: Too submissive; how can one compete for profit?
• Household 家宅: A poor family; low social standing.
• Health 身体: Too weak and fatigued.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Currently the path of fortune is low, inevitably causing one to be despised by others.
• Warfare 战征: Constantly listless, weak in strength and declining in will, it is difficult to avoid humiliation.
• Fame & Career 功名: Lowly upon lowly, what is gained is also minimal.
• Business 营商: Being excessively submissive and unable to compete with others, how can one make a profit?
• Marriage 婚姻: Low social standing; even if successful, it is shameful.
• Household 家宅: The house is low and small; it must be a poor household.
• Litigation 讼事: Being weak and bullied; the blame is self-inflicted.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

Hwân intimates that (under its conditions) there will be progress and success. The king goes to his ancestral temple; and it will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to be firm and correct.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

Huan (Dispersion). Success. The king approaches his ancestral temple. It is beneficial to cross the great river. This is a favorable divination. The Image says: The upper trigram of this hexagram is Xun, Xun is wind; the lower trigram is Kan, Kan is water. Wind moving over the water is the image of Dispersion. The ancient kings, observing this image, presented sacrifices to the Supreme Deity, established ancestral temples, and promoted the 'moral education' of honoring Heaven and filial piety toward ancestors.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Separation and dissolution, disasters disperse. Seize the opportunity to observe changes, nurture prestige, and build up strength. Minor good fortune: For those who obtain this hexagram, there may be difficulties at first, but in the end, the troubles will be resolved. If one is careful in all things, everything will go smoothly; avoid self-indulgence and lawlessness.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by stacking two different trigrams (Kan below and Xun above). The wind blows over the water, swelling the waves and spreading in all directions. Huan means the scattering of flowing water. It symbolizes the dispersion of organization and people's hearts. Proactive measures and methods must be taken to overcome and defeat evils, rescue the situation from dispersion, and turn danger into safety.

Six in the Fourth Place 四六

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

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

Line Text (Translation)

Six Four: No regret; the hunt yields various game. The Image says: The hunt yields various game, indicating a great harvest from the hunt.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Auspicious: Those who obtain this line are in good fortune, with much blessing and profit. Scholars will achieve excellent results.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Entering good fortune; going forth brings success.
• Wealth 财运: Pelts, hides, and feathers can all lead to wealth.
• Household 家宅: Beautifully decorated; a grand wedding.
• Health 身体: Can recover fully.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The path of fortune is corrected, disaster and regret both vanish; going forth brings success.
• Warfare 战征: Advancing troops from the southeast will naturally result in captures and success.
• Fame & Career 功名: One should gain rewards by presenting achievements, establishing oneself and making a name.
• Business 营商: One should acquire wealth by trading in items such as pelts, hides, and feathers.
• Marriage 婚姻: Wedding rituals; in ancient times, shooting wild ducks and sparrows was also a symbol of hunting activity.
• Illness 疾病: The text says 'regret vanishes', the illness will surely be cured.
• Lost Items 失物: Can be found.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

Kâu shows a female who is bold and strong. It will not be good to marry (such) a female.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

Kou Hexagram. Dreaming of an injured woman. In divination, encountering this hexagram is unfavorable for marrying a woman. The Image says: The upper trigram of this hexagram is Qian, which is heaven; the lower trigram is Xun, which is wind. Thus, wind blowing under heaven is the image of the Kou Hexagram. Recognizing this, the ruler emulates the wind blowing over all things to disseminate teachings throughout the world and make proclamations to the four quarters.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Yin grows and Yang declines, great fortune wanes in the middle; many obstructions, exercise caution to guard against them. Misfortune: For those who obtain this hexagram, Yin is strong and Yang is weak, and all affairs are unfavorable. One should act with caution, and pay special attention to amorous disputes.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by stacking two different trigrams (Xun below and Qian above). Qian is heaven, and Xun is wind. There is wind under heaven, blowing across the earth; Yin and Yang intermingle, and all things flourish. The Kou Hexagram is the opposite of the Guai Hexagram, forming an inversed pair. Kou means to mate or meet, where Yin and Yang encounter each other. However, with five Yang lines and one Yin line, they cannot coexist for long.

Nine in the Fifth Place 五九

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

The fifth line, 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.

Line Text (Translation)

Nine Five: Divination brings good fortune, no regret, nothing is unfavorable. Although there is no good beginning, there is a good end. Setting the date on a Ding day or a Gui day will surely lead to success. The Image says: The reason Nine Five's line text speaks of good fortune is that the yang line of Nine Five occupies the center of the upper trigram, symbolizing human affairs aligning with the correct path, which naturally brings good fortune.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Auspicious: Those who obtain this line succeed in their plans, with nothing being unfavorable. Officials face obstacles first, followed by smooth progress.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Occupying the central and correct position, nothing is unfavorable.
• Wealth 财运: Initial minor regrets, later gaining major profits.
• Household 家宅: Facing south; a well-matched pair.
• Health 身体: Can be cured in three days.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: Doing things on Ding or Gui days brings success in everything, extremely auspicious.
• Business 营商: For business, it is suitable to choose the Wood element, and the daily branch should use Metal days; initial minor regrets, later major profits, auspicious.
• Fame & Career 功名: The position is central and correct, and the line text says 'perseverance brings good fortune'; meeting Ding or Gui years will surely bring fame.
• Warfare 战征: Regarding the army, one must repeatedly advise and warn; regarding the terrain, one must thoroughly estimate and calculate. Planning carefully when facing situations and remaining diligent from beginning to end ensures victory in every battle, extremely auspicious.
• Marriage 婚姻: Ding Fire and Gui Water; the matching of Fire and Water is auspicious.
• Household 家宅: The house sits north and faces south; its position is central and correct, extremely auspicious.
• Illness 疾病: Can be cured in three days.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

Kû indicates great progress and success (to him who deals properly with the condition represented by it). There will be advantage in (efforts like that of) crossing the great stream. (He should weigh well, however, the events of) three days before the turning point, and those (to be done) three days after it.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

Gu Hexagram. Supreme good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river, but one should set out three days before the Jia day (the Xin day) and three days after the Jia day (the Ding day). The Image says: The upper trigram is Gen, the mountain; the lower trigram is Xun, the wind. A worthy man, like a mountain dwelling above, proclaims moral teachings and applies them to those below. Thus, 'Wind at the foot of the mountain' is the image of Decay. The gentleman, observing this image, models himself on the wind that blows over all things, thereby rescuing the myriad people and implementing moral education.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Three worms in a vessel, things decay and go to ruin; diligent exhortation turns danger into safety. Misfortune: For those who obtain this hexagram, it is a time of hardship and confusion, and nothing goes as wished. It is advisable to make bold innovations, strive for strength, and work hard, so as to turn danger into safety.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is formed by stacking two different trigrams (Xun below and Gen above), and it is the inverse hexagram (Zong Gua) of the Sui Hexagram. The original meaning of Gu is affairs, extending to mean troublesome matters and chaos. Worms growing in a vessel left unused for a long time is called 'Gu', symbolizing that long-lasting peace in the world leads to routine and corruption. One must innovate and create, govern and reorganize, rescue the crisis, and revitalize the enterprise.

Nine at the Top 上九

Primary & Changing Hexagram

Line Text (Original)

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

Line Text (Translation)

Top Nine: Hiding under the bed, losing one's property and money. Divination brings misfortune. The Image says: Hiding under the bed is the sign of the yang line of Top Nine reaching the end of its rope. Losing property and money—is that not indeed a dangerous thing?

Shao Yong's Commentary

Ominous: Those who obtain this line face many losses or illnesses. Officials find the times unfavorable and must be cautious.

Fu Peirong's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The higher one goes, the greater the danger; losses with no gains.
• Wealth 财运: Procrastination leads to failure, with significant losses.
• Household 家宅: A funeral occurs; fearing one's wife.
• Health 身体: May come to an end.

Takashima Donsho's Commentary

• Fortune 时运: The path of fortune is not straight, and actions are listless; the higher one goes, the greater the danger, with losses and no gains, ominous.
• Warfare 战征: As the commander-in-chief, fearing both front and rear will surely lead to losing the army and humiliating the state, and oneself will also be in danger.
• Business 营商: Failing to decide when decision is needed, delaying and missing opportunities, losses will surely be large.
• Fame & Career 功名: Surely unable to preserve one's end.
• Marriage 婚姻: There is the sign of fearing one's wife; difficult to grow old together, ominous.
• Household 家宅: Indicates a funeral, ominous.
• Pregnancy 六甲: Giving birth to a daughter.

Changing Hexagram (Original)

(Looking at) Ȝing, (we think of) how (the site of) a town may be changed, while (the fashion of) its wells undergoes no change. (The water of a well) never disappears and never receives (any great) increase, and those who come and those who go can draw and enjoy the benefit. If (the drawing) have nearly been accomplished, but, before the rope has quite reached the water, the bucket is broken, this is evil.

Changing Hexagram (Translation)

The Well Hexagram. Rebuilding the town but not rebuilding the well amounts to doing nothing. People come and go to draw water from the well. If the well becomes dry and silted up, and instead of cleaning it, one breaks the water pitcher, this is an image of danger. The Image says: The lower trigram of this hexagram is Xun, and Xun is wood; the upper trigram is Kan, and Kan is water. Water seeps down and trees grow: this is the image of The Well. The superior man, observing this image, models himself on the well water that nourishes people, thereby encouraging the people to be industrious and to exhort one another.

Shao Yong's Commentary

Still water connects to the source, and fortune is calm; do not change what you guard, and maintain the status quo. Minor good fortune: Those who obtain this hexagram should cultivate their character and nourish their nature, let things take their natural course, and face them with composure. Stillness brings benefit, while movement brings misfortune.

Traditional Interpretation

This hexagram is a combination of two different trigrams (Xun below and Kan above) superimposed. Kan is water; Xun is wood. Trees obtain water and grow vigorously. People rely on the well for life, and the well is dug by people. They nourish each other; the well nourishes people with water, never running dry. People should adopt this virtue to be industrious and self-encouraging.

III. Casting Example

You can use this site's I Ching divination tool to cast a hexagram and see this hexagram applied in practice. You may also try Plum Blossom Numerology and Xiao Liu Ren to explore other divination methods.