Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 巽 (Xùn) |
| English Name | The Gentle / Wind / Penetration |
| Trigrams | Wind over Wind (巽上巽下) |
| Number | 57 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. It furthers one to see the great man.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Winds following one upon the other: the image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior man spreads his commands abroad and carries out his undertakings.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | In advancing and in retreating, the perseverance of a warrior furthers. | Step back; the time for advance has not come |
| 九二 | 2nd | Penetration under the bed. Priests and magicians are used in great number. Good fortune. No blame. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 九三 | 3rd | Repeated penetration. Humiliation. | Overstepping brings shame; know your place |
| 六四 | 4th | Remorse vanishes. During the hunt three kinds of game are caught. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九五 | 5th | Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Nothing that does not further. No beginning, but an end. Before the change, three days. After the change, three days. Good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上九 | Top | Penetration under the bed. He loses his property and his ax. Perseverance brings misfortune. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Winds following one another; gentle but persistent influence
- Upper trigram Wind (gentle and penetrating) over lower trigram Wind (gentle and penetrating)
- Embodies the qualities of penetration, gentleness, submission and persistence, influence, humility
Keywords
PenetrationGentlenessSubmissionPersistenceInfluenceHumility
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Moderate — Gentle Penetration
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Winds following one another; gentle but persistent influence Success is possible through submission and persistence. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance penetration with gentleness to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels penetration and gentleness. The Wind trigram above suggests gentle and penetrating energy in your outer dealings, while the Wind trigram below points to gentle and penetrating foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on thighs and immune system and thighs and immune system. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody penetration and gentleness. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes submission and persistence. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate penetration in all your actions
- Practice gentleness consistently
- Embrace submission as your guiding principle
- Develop persistence through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of influence
- Abandon humility under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 58. Duì (兑) | The Joyous — complementary openness |
| 48. Jǐng (井) | The Well — wood drawing water upward |
| 9. Xiǎo Chù (小畜) | Small Taming — wind's gentle restraint |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “How can I influence my organization's culture without formal authority?”
You received Hexagram 57, The Gentle. The judgment says: 'The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to ...' Winds following one another; gentle but persistent influence This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to gentleness and submission. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.