Hexagram 17 隨 - SUI / FOLLOWING

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Trigrams

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• Above: Duì, the Joyous, Lake
• Below: Zhèn, the Arousing, Thunder

The upper trigram is Duì, the Joyous, characterized by pleasure; the lower is Zhèn, the Arousing, characterized by movement. Joy in movement leads to following. Duì represents the youngest daughter, while Zhèn represents the eldest son. An older man places himself below a young girl and shows consideration for her. By doing so, he moves her to follow him.

The Judgment

FOLLOWING has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.

To achieve following, one must first know how to adapt. Only through service does one learn to rule, for this is the only way to gain the joyful assent of those below, which is essential for following. Whenever anyone seeks to force compliance through cunning, violence, conspiracy, or factionalism, resistance invariably arises, preventing willing compliance.

However, joyful movement can also lead to evil. Therefore, a qualifying condition is added: “Perseverance furthers” - meaning consistency in what is right - and “no blame.” Just as one should demand following only under this condition, one must also follow others only under this condition to avoid harm.

The idea of following while adapting to the demands of the time is great and significant, which is why the accompanying judgment is so favorable.

The Image

Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of FOLLOWING. Thus the superior man, as darkness falls, goes indoors for refreshment and rest.

In autumn, electricity retreats into the earth to rest. Thunder in the middle of the lake represents thunder not in motion, but in winter hibernation. Following emerges from this image in the sense of adapting to the demands of the season. Thunder in the middle of the lake points to times of darkness and rest. Thus, after being tirelessly active throughout the day, the superior man allows himself refreshment and rest at nightfall. Every situation turns out well only if one can adapt to it instead of wearing oneself out through misplaced resistance.¹

The Individual Lines

Nine at the beginning means:

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The standard changes. Perseverance brings good fortune. Going out of the door to interact with others brings achievements.

Exceptional conditions arise when the relationship between leader and follower changes. The very idea of adaptation and following implies that if one wishes to lead others, one must remain accessible and allow oneself to be guided by the views of subordinates. However, one must maintain firm principles to avoid wavering when facing mere passing opinions. Once ready to listen to others, one must not strictly associate with like-minded people or faction members. Instead, one must step out the door and mingle freely with all kinds of people, whether friend or foe. Only in this way can one achieve anything lasting.

Six in the second place means:

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If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.

One must be cautious when choosing friends and close relationships. A person keeps either good company or bad company; it is impossible to have both at once. By throwing oneself away on unworthy individuals, one loses connection with spiritually significant people who can foster one’s better nature.

Six in the third place means:

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If one clings to the strong man, one loses the little boy. Through following, one finds what one seeks. It furthers one to remain persevering.

Connecting with significant individuals naturally involves a certain degree of loss. One must part ways with what is base and superficial. Yet, one will feel deeply satisfied because one finds exactly what is sought and needed for personal growth. The crucial point is to remain firm. One must know what one wants and avoid being led astray by fleeting inclinations.

Nine in the fourth place means:

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Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To walk the path with sincerity brings clarity. How could this be a blame?

Those with a certain degree of influence often succeed in gathering followers by displaying condescending affability toward subordinates. However, the people who attach themselves are often insincere. They seek personal advantage and try to make themselves indispensable through flattery and subservience. If one becomes accustomed to such partisans and can no longer manage without them, it brings misfortune. Only by remaining completely free from the ego and focusing with conviction solely on what is right and objective does one gain the clarity to see through such people, thereby remaining free of blame.

Nine in the fifth place means:

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Sincere in what is good. Good fortune!

Everyone must have something to follow, something that serves as a guiding star. Anyone who follows the beautiful and the good with conviction will find encouragement in these words.

Six at the top means:

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He finds firm attachment and is bound fast besides. The king introduces him to the Western Mountain.

This refers to someone who has already left the turmoil of the world behind: a sublime sage. Yet a follower appears who understands him and will not let him go. Thus, the sage returns to the world once more to assist the follower in his work, creating an eternal bond.

The analogy is drawn from the Zhou dynasty. This dynasty honored meritorious helpers by granting them a place in the ancestral temple of the ruling family on the Western Mountain. In this manner, such a man was integrated into the destiny of the royal house.

Reference links

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• Hexagram look-up table
• Advanced hexagram correspondence table