䷸ Xùn xùn
Core Meaning
The Xùn hexagram reveals the wisdom of compliance. Xùn is wind, moving unimpeded, symbolizing compliance and humility. The Xùn hexagram emphasizes: compliance leads to small success, 'small success' (小亨) means humility and gentleness can bring prosperity; compliance is beneficial for advancement, 'beneficial to have a direction to go' (利有攸往) means compliance is beneficial for achievements; compliance is beneficial for seeing noble people, 'beneficial to see great people' (利见大人) means humility is beneficial for meeting superiors; issuing commands requires compliance, 'repeated Xùn to issue commands' (重巽以申命) means compliance from top to bottom facilitates the issuance of orders; a central and correct position gains compliance, 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行) means the firm (Yang) is compliant due to its central and correct position, allowing its aspirations to be realized; Yin complies with Yang, 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚) means yielding (Yin) comply with the firm (Yang). Modern society needs the wisdom of compliance. The Xùn hexagram tells us: compliance should be appropriate, not overly humble and indecisive like the initial six 'advancing and retreating with doubtful aspirations,' nor so humble as to lose oneself like the top nine 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe'; one must maintain a central and correct position, like the second nine 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious, attaining balance' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉得中) being humble but maintaining balance; one must have an end goal, like the fifth nine 'no beginning yet an end, three days before Geng, three days after Geng' (无初有终先庚三日后庚三日) meaning though starting rough, it ultimately flows smoothly. Compliance is a virtue, but it must be 'beneficial for a warrior's perseverance' (利武人之贞) meaning cultivating a strong will, not losing oneself.
The Judgment
Small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people.
Interpretation:
There is small success, it is beneficial to have a direction to go, and it is beneficial for great people to appear.
The Image
Wind following wind, Xùn; A noble person repeatedly issues commands and acts accordingly.
Structure
Both the upper and lower trigrams of the Xùn hexagram are Xùn, which represents wind. It is one of the eight pure hexagrams, forming the image of Xùn as wind. Wind follows wind, moving ceaselessly; this is the nature of 'Xùn'. Xùn means compliance, gentleness, and humility. With wind above and below, the wind moves unimpeded, and commands are smoothly executed. The key to Xùn is: 'Repeated Xùn to issue commands' (重巽以申命) means compliance from top to bottom facilitates the issuance of orders; 'Steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行) means the firm (Yang) is compliant due to its central and correct position, allowing its aspirations to be realized; 'The yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚) means the yielding (Yin) all comply with the firm (Yang); 'Small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people' (小亨利有攸往利见大人) means there is small success, it is beneficial to have a direction to go, and it is beneficial to see great people. The Xùn hexagram emphasizes: compliance should be appropriate, not excessive like 'advancing and retreating' (进退) indecision in the first Yin line, nor overly humble like 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe' (巽在床下丧其资斧) in the top Yang line; one must maintain a central and correct position, like the second Yang line 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉) shows humble but balanced compliance; one must have an end goal, like the fifth Yang line 'No beginning yet an end, three days before Geng, three days after Geng' (无初有终先庚三日后庚三日) indicates a well-planned issuance of commands. Xùn (yielding) contrasts with Qián (firm), one firm and one yielding. Compliance is a virtue but must be balanced and measured.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial six: Advancing and retreating, beneficial for a warrior's perseverance.
Nine in the second place: Compliant under the bed, employing court historians and shamans in great numbers; auspicious and without blame.
Nine in the third place: Repeated compliance, regret.
Six in the fourth place: Remorse vanishes, the hunt yields three kinds of game.
Nine in the fifth place: Perseverance is auspicious, remorse vanishes, no disadvantage. Though it has no beginning, it has an end; three days before Geng, three days after Geng. Auspicious.
Top nine: Compliant under the bed, losing one's axe; perseverance leads to misfortune.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
In career, be humble and compliant but maintain a central and correct position. 'Small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people' (小亨利有攸往利见大人) means humility and compliance are beneficial for development and for meeting noble people. Initial six 'advancing and retreating, beneficial for a warrior's perseverance' (进退利武人之贞): 'doubtful aspirations' (志疑) imply excessive humility and indecision; one must 'cultivate aspirations' (志治) and strengthen one's will. The second nine is best: 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious and without blame' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉无咎); 'achieving balance' (得中) means being humble and serving like ritual officials and shamans, but maintaining a central and correct position brings auspiciousness and no blame. The third nine 'repeated compliance, regret' (频巽吝): 'exhausted aspirations' (志穷) implies sorrowful, forced compliance leads to mental distress and regret. The fourth six 'remorse vanishes, the hunt yields three kinds of game' (悔亡田获三品): 'achieving merit' (有功) means regret disappears, and compliance with commands leads to achievements. The fifth nine is best: 'perseverance is auspicious, remorse vanishes, no disadvantage, though it has no beginning, it has an end; three days before Geng, three days after Geng, auspicious' (贞吉悔亡无不利无初有终先庚三日后庚三日吉); 'correct in position' (位正中) means firmness is auspicious; although 'no beginning' (无初) means a difficult start, 'has an end' (有终) means it ultimately flows smoothly, issuing commands with three days before and three days after Geng for compliance. The top nine is most dangerous: 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe; perseverance leads to misfortune' (巽在床下丧其资斧貞凶); 'ultimately in distress' (上穷正乎凶) means excessive humility in an extreme position leading to self-loss, like losing one's axe, and even perseverance leads to misfortune. The key is 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled; the yielding all comply with the firm' (刚巽乎中正而志行柔皆顺乎刚), meaning firmness gains compliance due to its central and correct position to realize aspirations, and the yielding comply with the firm.
❤️ Relationships
In relationships, be humble and compliant but maintain self-identity. 'Small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people' (小亨利有攸往利见大人) means humility and compliance are beneficial for relationship development. Initial six 'advancing and retreating, beneficial for a warrior's perseverance' (进退利武人之贞): 'doubtful aspirations' (志疑) imply excessive compliance leading to indecision; one must 'cultivate aspirations' (志治) and build a strong will. The second nine is best: 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious and without blame' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉无咎); 'achieving balance' (得中) means humble compliance but maintaining a central and correct position brings auspiciousness. The third nine 'repeated compliance, regret' (频巽吝): 'exhausted aspirations' (志穷) implies sorrowful, forced compliance leads to mental distress and regret; one should not force it. The fourth six 'remorse vanishes, the hunt yields three kinds of game' (悔亡田获三品): 'achieving merit' (有功) means regret disappears, and compliance with the other person brings results. The fifth nine 'perseverance is auspicious, remorse vanishes, no disadvantage, though it has no beginning, it has an end' (贞吉悔亡无不利无初有终): 'correct in position' (位正中) means firmness is auspicious; though the beginning may not be smooth, it ultimately flows smoothly and culminates. 'Three days before Geng, three days after Geng' (先庚三日后庚三日) means prepare everything in advance and confirm afterward. The top nine is most dangerous: 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe; perseverance leads to misfortune' (巽在床下丧其资斧貞凶); 'ultimately in distress' (上穷) means excessive compliance leads to self-loss like losing one's axe, and even perseverance leads to misfortune. The key is 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚), meaning compliance but maintaining a central and correct position, not losing oneself. Compliance is a virtue but must be balanced.
🎯 Decision Making
In decision-making, comply with the times but maintain a central and correct position. 'Repeated Xùn to issue commands' (重巽以申命) means compliance from top to bottom facilitates the issuance of orders and implementation of policies. One must 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行), meaning firmness gains compliance due to its central and correct position to realize aspirations; one must 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚), meaning the yielding comply with the firm; one must 'small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people' (小亨利有攸往利见大人), meaning humility is beneficial for advancement and for seeing noble people. The initial six 'advancing and retreating' (进退) must be avoided; 'doubtful aspirations' (志疑) imply indecision; one must 'beneficial for a warrior's perseverance, cultivate aspirations' (利武人之贞志治) and strengthen a strong will. The second nine 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉) is a good example; 'achieving balance' (得中) means humility but maintaining a central and correct position. The third nine 'repeated compliance, regret' (频巽吝) must serve as a warning; 'exhausted aspirations' (志穷) implies forced compliance and mental distress. The fourth six 'remorse vanishes, the hunt yields three kinds of game' (悔亡田获三品): 'achieving merit' (有功) means compliance leads to achievements. The fifth nine is best: 'perseverance is auspicious, remorse vanishes, no disadvantage, though it has no beginning, it has an end; three days before Geng, three days after Geng, auspicious' (贞吉悔亡无不利无初有终先庚三日后庚三日吉); 'correct in position' (位正中) means being firm and central; though 'no beginning' (无初) means a difficult start, 'has an end' (有终) means it ultimately flows smoothly, with comprehensive preparation for issuing commands, three days before and three days after. The top nine 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe; perseverance leads to misfortune' (巽在床下丧其资斧貞凶) is most dangerous; 'ultimately in distress and leading to misfortune' (上穷正乎凶) means excessive humility leads to loss of ability, and even perseverance results in misfortune. The key is appropriate compliance while maintaining a central and correct position, not losing oneself.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The biggest warning from the Xùn hexagram is losing oneself due to excessive compliance. The top nine 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe; perseverance leads to misfortune' (巽在床下丧其资斧貞凶) is the most dangerous; 'ultimately in distress' (上穷) means being in an extreme position of excessive humility, 'losing one's axe' (丧其资斧) means losing one's ability like an axe, and 'even perseverance results in misfortune' (正乎凶) means even maintaining correctness leads to misfortune. The initial six 'advancing and retreating, beneficial for a warrior's perseverance' (进退利武人之贞) warns that 'doubtful aspirations' (志疑) indicate excessive humility leading to indecision; one must 'cultivate aspirations' (志治) and strengthen a strong will. The third nine 'repeated compliance, regret' (频巽吝) warns that 'exhausted aspirations' (志穷) means sorrowful, forced compliance leads to mental distress and regret. Be wary of: excessive compliance leading to self-loss, indecision without personal opinion, forced compliance causing inner pain, and loss of ability making one unable to be self-reliant. Remember: Xùn requires 'small success' (小亨) through humility, 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行) meaning firmness gains compliance due to its central and correct position to realize aspirations, 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚) meaning the yielding comply with the firm, and 'repeated Xùn to issue commands' (重巽以申命) means compliance from top to bottom for issuing orders. The second nine 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious, attaining balance' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉得中) is an exemplary model: humble but maintaining a central and correct position. The fifth nine 'no beginning yet an end, three days before Geng, three days after Geng' (无初有终先庚三日后庚三日) is the highest realm: though starting rough, it ultimately flows smoothly, and commands are issued comprehensively. Compliance is a virtue but must be appropriate and maintain a central and correct position, not 'losing one's axe' (丧其资斧) and one's self-ability like the top nine. 'Beneficial for a warrior's perseverance, cultivate aspirations' (利武人之贞志治) means one must cultivate a strong will and maintain independent personality.
Applicable Scenarios
The Xùn hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
Zhang Liang assisting the Han dynasty embodies the Xùn hexagram. Zhang Liang 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚), humbly complied with Liu Bang. He was like the second nine 'Xùn under the bed, using historians and shamans in great number, auspicious' (巽在床下用史巫纷若吉), 'achieving balance' (得中) by being extremely humble but maintaining a central and correct position, serving Liu Bang like ritual officials serve deities, bringing auspiciousness and no blame. He 'repeated Xùn to issue commands' (重巽以申命), helping Liu Bang issue commands and implement policies. Liu Bang 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行) through Zhang Liang's compliance in his central and correct position, allowing his aspirations to be realized and establishing the Han dynasty. He was not like the initial six 'advancing and retreating with doubtful aspirations' (进退志疑) being indecisive, but rather 'beneficial for a warrior's perseverance, cultivate aspirations' (利武人之贞志治) cultivating a strong will and strategizing. He was like the fourth six 'the hunt yields three kinds of game, achieving merit' (田获三品有功), achieving merit through compliance. After Liu Bang became emperor, he was like the fifth nine 'though it has no beginning, it has an end' (无初有终); though 'no beginning' (无初) meant a difficult start, 'has an end' (有终) meant ultimate success. He was 'three days before Geng, three days after Geng' (先庚三日后庚三日), thorough in all matters. Most importantly, he was not like the top nine 'Xùn under the bed, losing one's axe' (巽在床下丧其资斧) being excessively humble and losing himself. Instead, he achieved success and then retired, maintaining his self-identity, unlike the third nine 'repeated compliance, regret, exhausted aspirations' (频巽吝志穷) implying forced compliance. This is precisely the wisdom of the Xùn hexagram: 'small success, beneficial to have a direction to go, beneficial to see great people' (小亨利有攸往利见大人) means humility is beneficial for development; 'steadfast Xùn in the central and correct position, then aspirations are fulfilled' (刚巽乎中正而志行) means firmness gains compliance due to its central and correct position to realize aspirations; 'the yielding all comply with the firm' (柔皆顺乎刚) means the yielding comply with the firm, but one must maintain a central and correct position and 'beneficial for a warrior's perseverance' (利武人之贞) to maintain a strong will, not 'losing one's axe' (丧其资斧) and losing oneself. Compliance with measure, advance and retreat with balance.
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 Xùn 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: