Hexagram 37 家人 - Jiārén / The Family
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Trigrams#
- top Xùn, the Gentle, Wind
- bottom Lí, the Clinging, Fire
This hexagram represents the laws operating within the family. The topmost strong line represents the father, the lowest the son. The fifth strong line represents the husband, and the second yielding line represents the wife. On the other hand, the two strong lines in the fifth and third places represent two brothers, while the corresponding weak lines in the fourth and second places represent their wives. Thus, all relationships and dynamics within the family find their essential expression. Each individual line possesses the nature corresponding to its place. The fact that a strong line occupies the sixth place, where a yielding line might normally be expected, clearly indicates the firm authority that must emanate from the head of the family. The line is considered here not merely in its capacity as the sixth, but as the supreme authority. The family demonstrates the inner laws of the household at work, which, when extended outward, keep the state and the world in order. The influence exerted from the interior of the family upon the outside world is illustrated by the image of wind generated by fire.
The Judgment#
The Family. The perseverance of the woman furthers.
The foundation of the family rests upon the relationship between husband and wife. The bond that holds the family together resides in the loyalty and perseverance of the woman. Her place is within (the second line), while the man’s place is without (the fifth line). That man and woman occupy their proper places conforms to the great laws of nature. The family requires a firm authority, which is found in the parents. When the father is truly a father and the son a son, when the elder brother fulfills his place as elder brother and the younger his place as younger brother, when the husband is truly a husband and the wife a wife, the family is in order. When the family is in order, all the social relationships of humanity are brought into order. Out of the five cardinal social relationships, three are found within the family: that between father and son (love), between husband and wife (proper conduct), and between elder and younger brother (order). The loving reverence of the son is subsequently transferred to the ruler as loyalty, while the order and affection among brothers are transferred to friends as reliability, and to superiors as proper subordination. The family is the cell of society, the natural soil where the practice of moral duties is made easier through natural affection, creating a foundation within a narrow circle that can then be extended to human relationships at large.
The Image#
Wind comes forth from fire: the image of the Family. Thus the superior man has substance in his words and duration in his way of life.
Heat generates power; this is signified by the wind, which is kindled by fire and comes forth from it. This represents an effect radiating from the inside out. The same principle is necessary in regulating the family. Here, too, the influence must originate from one’s own person and extend to others. To exert such an influence, words must possess inner power, which is only possible when they rest on something real, just as a flame relies on its fuel. Only when words are objective and relate clearly to definite circumstances do they carry weight. General discourse and admonitions are completely ineffective. Furthermore, words must be supported by one’s entire conduct, just as the wind acts through its duration. Only firm, consistent action will impress others sufficiently for them to adapt and align themselves accordingly. If words and behavior are discordant or inconsistent, no effect is achieved.
The Moving Lines#
Nine at the beginning means:#
Firm seclusion within the family. Remorse disappears.
The family must form a well-defined unit within which every member knows their place. From the very beginning, children must be accustomed to fixed rules before their will is directed toward other things. If one begins to enforce order too late, when the children’s分配 wills have already been spoiled, their grown-up whims and passions offer resistance, leading to cause for remorse. If order is established early enough, occasions for remorse will still arise - as they are inevitable when living together in a larger group - but the remorse disappears repeatedly. Everything adjusts itself. For there is nothing more easily avoided, yet harder to execute, than attempting to “break a child’s will” later on.
Six in the second place means:#
She should not follow her whims. She should provide food within. Perseverance brings good fortune.
The woman should always guide herself by the will of the master of the house, whether it be the father, the husband, or the grown son 1. Her position is in the center of the household. Here she has great and important duties that she does not need to go looking for. She must provide sustenance for the family members and prepare the sacrificial food. In this way, she becomes the center of the social and religious life of the family. Perseverance in this position brings good fortune to the entire house.
Applied to general circumstances, the advice is not to seek anything by force, but to quietly limit oneself to existing duties.
Nine in the third place means:#
When tempers flare within the family, remorse from excessive severity arises. Yet good fortune! When woman and child dally and laugh, it leads in the end to humiliation.
Inside the family, the correct balance between harshness and leniency must prevail. Too much severity against one’s own flesh and blood leads to remorse. The best course is to build firm dikes within which individuals are granted full freedom of movement. Nevertheless, in cases of doubt, excessive severity - despite occasional mistakes - is better because it preserves family discipline, whereas excessive weakness leads to disgrace.
Six in the fourth place means:#
She is the wealth of the house. Great good fortune!
It is the housewife upon whom the prosperity of the family depends. Prosperity always reigns when expenditures and income stand in a healthy relationship to one another. This leads to great good fortune. Applied to public life, this refers to the faithful steward or administrator who furthers the general welfare through sound measures.
Nine in the fifth place means:#
As a king he approaches his family. Fear not. Good fortune!
A king is the image of a fatherly, inwardly rich man. He does not act in a way that causes fear; instead, the entire family can have confidence because love reigns in their interactions 2. His nature naturally exerts the proper influence.
Nine at the top means:#
His work commands respect. In the end, good fortune comes.
The order of the family rests ultimately on the character of the master of the house. If he cultivates his personality so that it commands respect through the power of inner truth, everything goes well in the family. One must personally shoulder the responsibility when in a leading position.
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