Suí Sucession Pursuit [hexagram 17]

Yin line Yang line Yang line Yin line Yin line Yang - controlling line

Follower
Lake over
Wood
Metal Metal element

Mountain Wind
[18] Corruption; Decay
Opposite and Inverse
Wind Mountain
Jiàn [53] Progression; Gradual development
Mutual

Lunar month: 2 ; Host or Controlling line : 1
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随: , . Suí: yuán hēng lì zhēn, wú jiù.

Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.

: 随, , , 随. , , , 随矣哉! Tuàn zhuàn: Suí, gāng lái ér xià róu, dòng ér shuō, suí. dà hēng zhēn, wú jiù, ér tiān xià suí shí, suí shí zhī yì dà yǐ zāi!

In Sui we see the strong (trigram) come and place itself under the weak; we see (in the two) the attributes of movement and pleasure: - this gives (the idea of) Sui. 'There will be great progress and success; and through firm correctness no error:' - all under heaven will be found following at such a time. Great indeed are the time and significance indicated in Sui.

: , 随; 向晦宴息. Xiàng zhuàn: Zé zhōng yǒu léi, suí; jūn zǐ yǐ xiàng huì rù yàn xī.

(The trigram for the waters of) a marsh and (that for) thunder (hidden) in the midst of it form Sui. The superior man in accordance with this, when it is getting towards dark, enters (his house) and rests.

young yin young yang young yang young yin young yin changing yang
I Ching transform
Lake
Earth
Cuì [45] Condensation; Gathering
Change
: 渝, . . Chū jiǔ: guān yǒu yú, zhēn jí. chū mén jiāo yǒu gōng.

The first ‘nine’, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will he good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.

: 渝, . , . Xiàng zhuàn: Guān yǒu yú, cóng zhèng jí yě. chū mén jiāo yǒu gōng, bù shī yě.

‘He is changing the object of his pursuit:’ - but if he follow what is correct, there will be good fortune. ‘He goes beyond (his own) gate to find associates:’ - he will not fail (in the method he pursues).

young yin young yang young yang young yin changing yin young yang
I Ching transform
Lake
Lake
Duì [58] Serenity; Joy
Change
: , . Liù èr: xì xiǎo zǐ, shī zhàng fu

The second ‘six’, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Xì xiǎo zǐ, fú jiān yǔ yě.

‘He cleaves to the little boy:’ - he cannot be with the two at the same time.

young yin young yang young yang changing yin young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Lake
Fire
[49] Revolution; Renewal
Change
: , . 随, . Liù sān: xì zhàng fu, shī xiǎo zǐ. suí yǒu qiú dé, lì jū zhēn.

The third ‘six’, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go. the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.

: , . Xiàng zhuàn: Xì zhàng fu, zhì shè xià yě.

‘He cleaves to the man of age and experience:’ - by the decision of his will, he abandons (the youth) below.

young yin young yang changing yang young yin young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Water
Wood
Zhūn [3] Inhibition; Beginning
Change
: 随获, . , , . Jiǔ sì: suí yǒu huò, zhēn xiōng. yǒu fú zài dào, yǐ míng, hé jiù.

The fourth ‘nine’, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?

: 随获, . , . Xiàng zhuàn: Suí yǒu huò, qí yì xiōng yě. yǒu fú zài dào, míng gōng yě.

‘He is followed and obtains adherents:’ - according to the idea (of the hexagram), this is evil. ‘He is sincere in his course:’ - showing his intelligence, and leading to achievement.

young yin changing yang young yang young yin young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Wood
Wood
Zhèn [51] Excitation; Enactment
Change
: 嘉, . Jiǔ wǔ: fú yú jiā, jí.

The fifth ‘nine’, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.

: 嘉, ; . Xiàng zhuàn: Fú yú jiā, jí; wèi zhèng zhōng yě.

'He is sincere in fostering what is excellent:' - his position is correct and in the center.

changing yin young yang young yang young yin young yin young yang
I Ching transform
Heaven
Wood
Wú wàng [25] Unforeseen; Honesty
Change
:拘,.西. Shàng liù: jū xì zhī, nǎi cóng wéi zhī. wáng yòng hēng yú xī shān.

The topmost ‘six’, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.

: 拘, . Xiàng zhuàn: Jū xì zhī, shàng qióng yě.

‘The sincerity is firmly held and clung to, as shown in the topmost line:’ - (the idea of the hexagram) has reached its extreme development.

This translation of the YiJing classic text uses the original Chinese including the Xiàng zhuàn commentary converted to modern simplified characters and pinyin. The English translation is based on William Legge (1899) which is now out of copyright. We have changed some wording and converted to American spelling. We hope to replace this with a more modern translation.

See also