I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
17 - Sui / Following
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The trigram Tui, the Joyous, whose attribute is gladness, is above. Chên, the Arousing, which has the attribute of movement, is below. Joy in movement induces following. The Joyous is symbolized by the youngest daughter, while the Arousing is the eldest son. An older man defers to a young girl and shows her consideration. By this he moves her to follow him.
In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule, he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, "Perseverance furthers", that is, consistency in doing right, together with "No blame". Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea, this is why the appended judgment is so favorable.
In the autumn, electricity withdraws into the earth again and rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the lake that serves as the image. Thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image. Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates times of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The trigram Tui, the Joyous, whose attribute is gladness, is above. Chên, the Arousing, which has the attribute of movement, is below. Joy in movement induces following. The Joyous is symbolized by the youngest daughter, while the Arousing is the eldest son. An older man defers to a young girl and shows her consideration. By this he moves her to follow him.
The Judgement
FOLLOWING has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule, he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, "Perseverance furthers", that is, consistency in doing right, together with "No blame". Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea, this is why the appended judgment is so favorable.
The Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake:The image of FOLLOWING. Thus, the superior man at nightfall, goes indoors for rest and recuperation.In the autumn, electricity withdraws into the earth again and rests. Here it is the thunder in the middle of the lake that serves as the image. Thunder in its winter rest, not thunder in motion. The idea of following in the sense of adaptation to the demands of the time grows out of this image. Thunder in the middle of the lake indicates times of darkness and rest. Similarly, a superior man, after being tirelessly active all day, allows himself rest and recuperation at night. No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it and does not wear himself out with mistaken resistance.
Changing
Nine in the fifth place means:
His nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from above and below (this is the meaning of the cutting off of nose and feet). He finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of rescue (ministers wore purple knee bands). But little by little, things take a turn for the better. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being.
His nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from above and below (this is the meaning of the cutting off of nose and feet). He finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of rescue (ministers wore purple knee bands). But little by little, things take a turn for the better. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being.
Six at the top means:
He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, "Movement brings remorse". If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes.
A man is oppressed by bonds that can easily be broken. The distress is drawing to an end, but he is still irresolute. He is still influenced by the previous condition and fears that he may have cause for regret if he makes a move. But, as soon as he grasps the situation, changes his mental attitude, and makes a firm decision, he masters the oppression.
He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, "Movement brings remorse". If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes.
A man is oppressed by bonds that can easily be broken. The distress is drawing to an end, but he is still irresolute. He is still influenced by the previous condition and fears that he may have cause for regret if he makes a move. But, as soon as he grasps the situation, changes his mental attitude, and makes a firm decision, he masters the oppression.
Transformed
47 - K`un / Oppression (Exhaustion)
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
The lake is above, water below. The lake is empty and dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light lines; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus, everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men.
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes. It is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. If adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore, in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and use words sparingly.
When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.
Above: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
The lake is above, water below. The lake is empty and dried up. Exhaustion is expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light lines; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of light. Thus, everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by inferior men.
The Judgement
OPPRESSION. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed.Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes. It is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. If adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore, in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and use words sparingly.
The Image
There is no water in the lake: The image of EXHAUSTION. Thus, the superior man stakes his life On following his will.When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate.