Hexagram 17 of 64
Following隨
Thunder within the lake. At dusk the noble person goes in to rest.
- Upper
- Lake
- Lower
- Thunder
- Order
- 17 / 64
元亨。利貞。无咎。
Judgment: Great success. Steadiness pays. No fault.
澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。
Image: Thunder within the lake. At dusk the noble person goes in to rest.
In plain words
The situation: This calls for adapting and following well.
What you can do: Let go of fixed ideas and move with change.
For culture and reflection only. Our own plain summary, not a translation.
The six lines
- 上六拘係之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。Hold them fast, then tie them on. The king makes offerings on the western mountain.In shortThe bond is now tight; hold it together with sincerity, as you would a solemn promise.
- 九五孚于嘉，吉。Trust in what is good. Good fortune.In shortPut real trust in what is good; following in this way works in your favor.
- 九四隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。Following brings gain, but steadiness brings misfortune. With trust on the way, and with clarity, what fault is there?In shortFollowing brings gain, but clinging to it is risky; act with trust and openness and you will be fine.
- 六三係丈夫，失小子。隨，有求得利，居貞。Holding to the grown man, losing the small child. Following brings what you seek. It helps to stay steady and settled.In shortFollow the one worth following and let lesser ties go; you can get what you seek if you stay steady.
- 六二係小子，失丈夫。Holding to the small child, losing the grown man.In shortClinging to small ties may cost you the person truly worth following; sort out what matters.
- 初九官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。The one in charge changes. Steadiness brings good fortune. Going out the gate to meet others brings results.In shortThings around you are shifting; stay steady and go out to meet people, which brings results.
Sources Zhou Yi. English by TaoDial.