Sui / FollowingThunder in the Lake

Hexagram 17 ·

Following the proper path brings supreme success. Maintaining perseverance and correct principles brings no blame.

First
Nine
Second
Six
Third
Six
Fourth
Nine
Fifth
Nine
Top
Six
Quick Guide

Judgment

Following the proper path brings supreme success. Maintaining perseverance and correct principles brings no blame.

Image

Thunder within the lake represents the image of Following. The noble person observes this and knows when to rest, entering their home at nightfall to recuperate.

Lines

When circumstances change, good fortune follows. Going out to seek fellowship brings no blame. Binding oneself to the small-minded person causes the loss of the great person. Choos...

Hexagram Judgment

Following brings supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.

Following the proper path brings supreme success. Maintaining perseverance and correct principles brings no blame.

Tuan Commentary

Following means coming to join. The firm comes and places itself below the yielding. Movement with joyousness. Following brings supreme success, perseverance furthers, no blame. All under heaven follows the time. Following: the meaning of the time is indeed great!

Following represents the act of coming together in harmony. The firm yields to the flexible, and through joyous movement, all things progress. The greatness of following the proper time cannot be overstated.

Great Image

Thunder in the midst of the lake: the image of Following. The noble person at nightfall enters his house and rests.

Thunder within the lake represents the image of Following. The noble person observes this and knows when to rest, entering their home at nightfall to recuperate.

Line Judgments
FirstNine

The standard changes. Good fortune. Going out of the door to bring about fellowship. No blame.

When circumstances change, good fortune follows. Going out to seek fellowship brings no blame.

Small Image

The standard changes; good fortune. The yielding obtains the place outside and follows the firm.

Changing standards bring good fortune because the flexible occupies the proper place outside and follows the firm.

SecondSix

One binds the child to oneself. Losing the great man.

Binding oneself to the small-minded person causes the loss of the great person. Choose your associations wisely.

Small Image

One binds the child to oneself; one cannot join with the great man.

Binding the child means being unable to unite with the great person.

ThirdSix

One binds the great man to oneself. Losing the child. By following one finds what one seeks. Favorable to remain persevering.

Binding oneself to the great person means leaving behind the small-minded. By following what is superior, you find what you seek. Remain persevering.

Small Image

One binds the great man to oneself and gives up the child. Following and seeking, one obtains one's wish.

Binding the great person and abandoning the child allows one to follow and obtain one's wishes.

FourthNine

Following creates success. Misfortune! Sincerity leads to firmness and fault. But sincerity and clarity illuminate the mind.

Following blindly for the sake of success brings misfortune. Sincerity should lead to wisdom, not stubbornness. True sincerity brings clarity.

Small Image

Following creates success, but misfortune is to be feared. Sincerity and clarity illuminate the mind; why should one fear?

Following for success while fearing misfortune: sincerity and clarity illuminate the mind, dispelling fear.

FifthNine

Sincerity in the excellence. Good fortune.

Sincerity in pursuing excellence brings good fortune.

Small Image

Sincerity in the excellence brings good fortune, because the position is correct and central.

Sincerity in excellence brings good fortune because the position is correct and central.

TopSix

He meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king offers him sacrifice on the western mountain.

Meeting with firm allegiance, you form even deeper bonds. The king honors you with sacrifice, recognizing your virtue.

Small Image

He meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound; his will is directed upward.

Meeting firm allegiance and forming deeper bonds shows one's will is directed upward.

Frequently asked questions

What does Sui / Following mean in the I Ching?

Following the proper path brings supreme success. Maintaining perseverance and correct principles brings no blame.

How should I study Hexagram 17 on this page?

Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. When circumstances change, good fortune follows. Going out to seek fellowship brings no blame. Binding oneself to the small-minded person causes the loss of the great person. Choos...

How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?

Following represents the act of coming together in harmony. The firm yields to the flexible, and through joyous movement, all things progress. The greatness of following the proper time cannot be overstated.

Sources and Method

Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.

Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.

Continue in app

Following represents the act of coming together in harmony. The firm yields to the flexible, and through joyous movement, all things progress. The greatness of following the proper time cannot be overstated.

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