Hexagram 57 · 巽 · xùn
Hexagram 57. Xùn · The Gentle, Wind
☴☴ Wind over wind: Xùn above, Xùn below.
Sun intimates that (under the conditions which it denotes) there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement
Sun intimates that (under the conditions which it denotes) there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement
Wind following upon wind: influence gentle yet unrelenting. Do not storm — permeate: repeat the impulse again and again, like wind wearing down rock. Small, constant efforts in one clearly chosen direction are now stronger than any onslaught.
The Image
Wind upon wind: influence repeated until the result. Thus stone is worn and habits change: not by pressure but by soft continuity in a single direction. Fix one vector and work in series of touches — letters, talks, drafts, iterations. Two cautions: scattered wind changes nothing; importunate wind raises a storm of resistance.
Interpretation of hexagram 57
LVII. The Sun Hexagram. to give the idea that is in Lii, see Appendix II. In Appendix I there is an endeavour to explain the Thwan by means of the lines and their relation to one another.
The lines of hexagram 57
First line
The first line, divided, shows its subject (now) advancing, (now) receding. It would be advanta¬ geous for him to have the firm correctness of a brave soldier.
Line 1 is weak, in an odd place, and at the very bottom or commencement of the hexagram, These conditions are supposed to account for the unfavourable symbolism and auspice.
Second line
The second line, undivided, shows the repre¬ sentative of Sun beneath a couch, and employing diviners and exorcists in a way bordering on confu¬ sion. There will be good fortune and no error.
Line 2 is weak, but in its proper place. That place, moreover, is the central. Hence the traveller—and he might here very well be a travelling merchant—is represented in the symbolism as provided with everything he can require; and though the auspice is not mentioned, we must understand it as being good.
Third line
The third line, undivided, shows its subject penetrating (only) by violent and repeated efforts. There will be occasion for regret.
Line 3 is strong, and in an even place. But it occupies the topmost place in the lower trigram; and its strength may be expected to appear as violence. So it does in the symbolism, and extraordinary violence as well. It seems unreasonable to suppose, as in the conclusion, that one so described could be in any way correct. The Khang-hsl editors remark that the subjects of 2 and 3 are represented as having ‘ lodging-houses,’ and not any of those of the other lines, because these are the only two lines in the places proper to them 1
Fourth line
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 4 is strong, but in an even place. Hence its subject has not ‘a lodging-house;’ but has found a situation where he has shelter, though he is exposed to perils. Hence he is represented as having an axe, which may be available for defence. Still he is not at peace in his mind. The Khang-hst editors observe well that the mention of an axe makes us think of caution as a quality desirable in a traveller.
Fifth line
The fifth line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (to its
Line 5, though weak, is in the centre of the upper trigram, which
Top line
The sixth line, undivided, shows the repre¬ sentative 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.
onward in whatever direction. It will be advanta¬ geous (also) to see the great man.
Did hexagram 57 come up in your reading? The oracle itself gives the full reading, with changing lines and the second hexagram.
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