䷟ Heng héng
Core Meaning
The Heng hexagram reveals the wisdom of perseverance. True perpetuity is not rigid adherence to the unchanging, but persistent effort in the right direction. Just as thunder and wind interact, constantly generating life, one must maintain constancy amidst change. The Heng hexagram warns: at the beginning, do not rush to delve deep, as haste makes waste; in the process, maintain a balanced and correct approach, avoid vacillation; the position must be appropriate and suitable to gain rewards; virtue must be held persistently, wavering certainly brings misfortune. The Way of Perpetuity values 'standing without changing direction,' unwavering once the correct direction is established. Just as heaven and earth operate perpetually, the sun and moon shine perpetually, and the seasons change perpetually, all things are accomplished through constancy. Rapid changes in modern society require the wisdom of the Heng hexagram even more: keep your original intention amidst restlessness, adhere to principles amidst temptation, and maintain composure amidst difficulties.
The Judgment
Heng, without fault, beneficial to persist, beneficial to have a destination.
Interpretation:
The Way of Perpetuity symbolizes smooth success without fault. It is beneficial to adhere to the correct path, and beneficial to have a direction to go. Perpetuity is not rigid adherence but perseverance in the right direction.
The Image
Thunder and wind, Heng (Perseverance); The superior person thereby stands without changing direction.
Structure
The Heng hexagram has Xun (Wind) below and Zhen (Thunder) above, forming the image of Thunder over Wind. Thunder and wind vigorously interact, continually generating life, symbolizing the constantly renewing and unchanging principle of the universe. The upper trigram Zhen is firm and active, while the lower trigram Xun is gentle and yielding. Firm above and gentle below, with proper hierarchy, this is the unchanging law between heaven and earth. Wind moves and thunder acts, Xun (yielding) occurs and Zhen (movement) follows. Modest yet audacious, this is the constant way of doing things. The Heng hexagram emphasizes not stillness, but maintaining constant principles amidst change, and holding an unchanging direction amidst movement. Just as the sun and moon shine perpetually, the seasons cycle constantly, and the sages maintain their virtues persistently, all demonstrate eternal truths within change.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial six: Delving deep into perseverance, persistence brings misfortune, no benefit in any way.
Nine in the second place: Remorse vanishes.
Nine in the third place: Not persevering in one's virtue, it may lead to shame; persistence brings difficulty.
Nine in the fourth place: No game in the field.
Six in the fifth place: Persevering in one's virtue, persistence brings good fortune to a woman, misfortune to a man.
Top six: Shaking perseverance, misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career development requires long-term persistence, not fickle changes. Once the correct direction is chosen, one must have the determination to 'grind a sword for ten years.' Do not rush for quick success at the beginning; 'delving deep into perseverance' will inevitably bring misfortune. Persistent effort must be made on the path of moderation and correctness; 'being able to endure in the middle' will make remorse vanish. The avoidance of vacillation is crucial; 'not persevering in one's virtue' will lead to losing others' trust. One must find their proper place and do their job well; 'long out of position' will yield nothing. Adhere to professional ethics, cultivate deeply in one's specialized field, and given time, achievements will surely follow. Avoid wavering when in a high position; 'shaking perseverance in a high position means great futility.'
❤️ Relationships
Relationships require long-term cultivation, valuing consistency. Only by 'persevering in one's virtue' can auspiciousness be won; vacillation will certainly lead to shame. Do not set expectations too high at the beginning; relationships need time to develop. Maintain balance and moderation in interactions; being too strong or too weak is not conducive to longevity. Both parties should adhere to their roles and respect each other; 'a woman's persistence is auspicious' emphasizes gentle household management, but a 'man' should not be overly effeminate. The greatest fear in relationships is wavering, loving today and hating tomorrow; 'shaking perseverance' will inevitably bring misfortune. True perpetuity is maintaining through understanding and enduring through tolerance, like thunder and wind interacting harmoniously.
🎯 Decision Making
Decisions should focus on the long term, not immediate gains. First, establish the correct direction; 'standing without changing direction' is fundamental. Do not be greedy or seek speed at the beginning; building a solid foundation is most important. During execution, adhere to the middle way, moving forward persistently without bias. Recognize your abilities and position; success comes from doing what is suitable. Most importantly, adhere to principles unyieldingly, and do not retreat when facing difficulties. After making a decision, be patient, just as a tree needs time to grow into timber. Avoid hesitation and wavering when in a high position, as even effort will be fruitless. True wisdom is: if you choose correctly, persist; if you persist correctly, you succeed.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest warning of the Heng hexagram is to avoid impatience and vacillation. The misfortune of 'delving deep into perseverance' lies in seeking too much too deeply at the beginning, leading to haste making waste. 'Not persevering in one's virtue' will lead to shame; vacillation will inevitably fail. 'Long out of position' will yield nothing; not being in a position means not dealing with its affairs. The most serious is 'shaking perseverance in a high position,' being in a high position yet wavering, which will lead to great defeat. Perpetuity is not stubbornness; stubbornly adhering to errors also brings misfortune. Be wary of: blindly adhering to the wrong direction, wasting time in an unsuitable position, and being hidebound and inflexible. True perseverance is upholding the correct path, maintaining moderation, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding the times, and grasping unchanging principles amidst change.
Applicable Scenarios
The Heng hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
Sima Qian's writing of 'Records of the Grand Historian' perfectly embodies the spirit of the Heng hexagram. After suffering castration, Sima Qian did not give up, 'standing without changing direction' and adhering to his mission as a historian. He spent thirteen years, 'persisting in his way,' to complete the 520,000-character masterpiece. 'Firm above and gentle below, yielding yet active,' he was outwardly modest but inwardly resolute. He thought of giving up many times, but 'remorse vanished' (nine in the second place), holding to the middle and correct path. He did not abandon his work halfway due to 'not persevering in his virtue' (nine in the third place), nor was he disheartened by 'no game in the field' (nine in the fourth place). Eventually, 'the end followed the beginning,' and 'Records of the Grand Historian' became 'the ultimate song of historians, a rhymeless sorrow.' This is precisely the wisdom of the Heng hexagram: once a correct goal is established, persist unremittingly, maintain composure in adversity, and achieve immortal work with a perpetual heart.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Heng hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: