I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
32 - Hêng / Duration
Above: CHEN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The strong trigram Chên is above, the weak trigram Sun below. This hexagram is the inverse of the preceding one. In the latter we have influence, here we have union as an enduring condition. The two images are thunder and wind, which are likewise constantly paired phenomena. The lower trigram indicates gentleness within, and the upper, movement without.
In the sphere of social relationships, the hexagram represents the institution of marriage as the enduring union of the sexes. During courtship the young man subordinates himself to the girl, but in marriage, which is represented by the coming together of the eldest son and the eldest daughter, the husband is the directing and moving force outside, while the wife, inside, is gentle and submissive.
Duration is a state whose movement is not worn down by hindrances. It is not a state of rest, for mere standstill is regression. Duration is rather the self-contained and therefore self-renewing movement of an organized, firmly integrated whole, taking place in accordance with immutable laws and beginning anew at every ending. The end is reached by an inward movement, by inhalation, contraction, and this movement turns into a new beginning, in which the movement is directed outward, in exhalation, expansion.
Heavenly bodies exemplify duration. They move in their fixed orbits, and because of this, their light-giving power endures. The seasons of the year follow a fixed law of change and transformation, hence they can produce effects that endure.
So likewise, the dedicated man embodies an enduring meaning in his way of life, and thereby the world is formed. In that which gives things their duration, we can come to understand the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.
Thunder rolls, and the wind blows. Both are examples of extreme mobility, and so are seemingly the very opposite of duration, but the laws governing their appearance and subsidence, their coming and going, endure. In the same way the independence of the superior man is not based on rigidity and immobility of character. He always keeps abreast of the time and changes with it. What endures is the unswerving directive, the inner law of his being, which determines all his actions.
Above: CHEN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The strong trigram Chên is above, the weak trigram Sun below. This hexagram is the inverse of the preceding one. In the latter we have influence, here we have union as an enduring condition. The two images are thunder and wind, which are likewise constantly paired phenomena. The lower trigram indicates gentleness within, and the upper, movement without.
In the sphere of social relationships, the hexagram represents the institution of marriage as the enduring union of the sexes. During courtship the young man subordinates himself to the girl, but in marriage, which is represented by the coming together of the eldest son and the eldest daughter, the husband is the directing and moving force outside, while the wife, inside, is gentle and submissive.
The Judgement
DURATION. Success. No blame. Perseverance furthers. It furthers one to have somewhere to go.Duration is a state whose movement is not worn down by hindrances. It is not a state of rest, for mere standstill is regression. Duration is rather the self-contained and therefore self-renewing movement of an organized, firmly integrated whole, taking place in accordance with immutable laws and beginning anew at every ending. The end is reached by an inward movement, by inhalation, contraction, and this movement turns into a new beginning, in which the movement is directed outward, in exhalation, expansion.
Heavenly bodies exemplify duration. They move in their fixed orbits, and because of this, their light-giving power endures. The seasons of the year follow a fixed law of change and transformation, hence they can produce effects that endure.
So likewise, the dedicated man embodies an enduring meaning in his way of life, and thereby the world is formed. In that which gives things their duration, we can come to understand the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.
The Image
Thunder and wind: the image of DURATION. Thus, the superior man stands firm, and does not change his direction.Thunder rolls, and the wind blows. Both are examples of extreme mobility, and so are seemingly the very opposite of duration, but the laws governing their appearance and subsidence, their coming and going, endure. In the same way the independence of the superior man is not based on rigidity and immobility of character. He always keeps abreast of the time and changes with it. What endures is the unswerving directive, the inner law of his being, which determines all his actions.
Changing
Nine in the third place means:
One pushes upward into an empty city.
All obstructions that generally block progress fall away here. Things proceed with remarkable ease. Unhesitatingly one follows this road, in order to profit by ones success. Seen from without, everything seems to be in the best of order. However, no promise of good fortune is added. It is a question how long such unobstructed success can last. However, it is not wise to yield to such misgivings, because they only inhibit ones power. Instead, the point is to profit by the propitiousness of time.
One pushes upward into an empty city.
All obstructions that generally block progress fall away here. Things proceed with remarkable ease. Unhesitatingly one follows this road, in order to profit by ones success. Seen from without, everything seems to be in the best of order. However, no promise of good fortune is added. It is a question how long such unobstructed success can last. However, it is not wise to yield to such misgivings, because they only inhibit ones power. Instead, the point is to profit by the propitiousness of time.
Transformed
46 - Shêng / Pushing Upward
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and the upper, K`un, means the earth. Linked with this is the idea that wood from the earth grows upward. In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35), this pushing upward is associated with effort, just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth. That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will. In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion; PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent, or direct rise from obscurity and lowliness to power and influence.
The Judgement
PUSHING UPWARD has supreme success. One must see the great man. Fear not. Departure toward the south brings good fortune.The pushing upward of the good elements encounter no obstructions and are therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. He must go to see authoritative people. He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured, but he must set to work, for activity (the meaning of "the south") brings good fortune.
The Image
Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD. Thus, the superior man of devoted character heaps up small things in order to achieve something high and great.Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them, wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest. Thus too, the superior man is devoted in character and never pauses in his progress.