57 · 巽

Hexagram 57, 巽. Original Chinese judgment: 小亨，利攸往，利見大人。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

小亨，利攸往，利見大人。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初六：進退，利武人之貞。
  2. 九二：巽在床下，用史巫紛若，吉，无咎。
  3. 九三：頻巽，吝。
  4. 六四：悔亡，田獲三品。
  5. 九五：貞吉悔亡，无不利。无初有終，先庚三日，後庚三日，吉。
  6. 上九：巽在床下，喪其資斧，貞凶。

Tuan commentary

重巽以申命，剛巽乎中正而志行。柔皆順乎剛，是以小亨，利有攸往，利見大人。

维基文库 · 周易 · 巽

Great Image commentary

隨風，巽；君子以申命行事。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 進退，志疑也。利武人之貞，志治也。
  2. 紛若之吉，得中也。
  3. 頻巽之吝，志窮也。
  4. 田獲三品，有功也。
  5. 九五之吉，位正中也。
  6. 巽在牀下，上窮也。喪其資斧，正乎凶也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷二

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Xun’s entering through one yin line lying beneath two yang lines. Repeated Xun also represents reiterating commands so they reach those below. Yielding responsiveness must know what it follows and return to correctness for advance to be fitting.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. The first yin line is excessively submissive, undecided between advance and retreat through uncertainty of purpose. Warrior-like steadfast correctness must supplement weakness to put its purpose in order.
  2. Yang in a yin second position below is inwardly unsettled, yet accepts lowliness in Xun’s time. Repeated, thorough expression of sincerity can be auspicious and without blame.
  3. The third yang line is excessively firm and not centered, poorly suited to responsiveness yet repeatedly forcing it. Each effort cannot last, exhausting purpose and bringing humiliation.
  4. Yielding yin in the fourth line lacks correspondence, with firmness above and below, originally giving regret. Fortunately yin in a yin position at the bottom of the upper trigram finds its place and gains results.
  5. Firm, centered correctness in the fifth line belongs to Xun. Reiterate guidance before changing affairs and assess and review afterward. Correctness and completion make this auspicious, with nothing unfavorable.
  6. The top yang line at Xun’s extreme is excessively humble and even loses the resources and axe needed for decision. Loss of firm decisiveness is inauspicious even if persisted in.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Xun above and below uses wind and entering as images of yielding responsiveness that gradually penetrates. Yielding must have a fitting direction to follow and return to the proper way, rather than becoming indecision or constant accommodation.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Hesitating between advance and retreat prevents decision. Establish resolve like a warrior and act with correctness.
  2. In an unsettled position, repeated investigation of details and expression of sincerity can dispel doubt and fear and be without blame.
  3. Forced, repeated accommodation lacks a firm direction and cannot last, bringing regret.
  4. Yielding conduct in a correct position can carefully undertake affairs, like a hunt yielding several kinds of gain; regret disappears.
  5. Firm, centered correctness reiterates instructions before a change and checks again afterward, allowing both a sound beginning and completion.
  6. Humble withdrawal has gone so far that position and resources are lost, leaving no ability to act. Continuing to hold to this is also inauspicious.

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