巽 Xùn Acquiescence (Submission) [hexagram 57]
Wood element
Lunar month: 8 ; Host (controlling) line : 5
The Descision
Acquiescence – some success and progress. Favorable to undertake anything and to meet the great.
The doubled wind shows that orders are reiterated. The strong has reached the central and correct place to carry out their intentions. The weak are obedient to the strong and so: ‘Submission – some success and progress. Favorable to undertake anything and to meet the great’.
巽: 小亨, 利攸往, 利见大人. Xùn: xiǎo hēng, lì yōu wǎng, lì jiàn dà ren.
彖传: 重巽以申命, 刚巽乎中正而志行. 柔皆顺乎刚, 是以小亨, 利有攸往, 利见大人. Tuàn zhuàn: Chóng xùn yǐ shēn mìng, gāng xùn hū zhōng zhèng ér zhì xíng. róu jiē shùn hū gāng, shì yǐ xiǎo hēng, lì yǒu yōu wǎng, lì jiàn dà ren.
The Image
Winds pursue each other to form ‘Acquiescence’. The wise repeat their orders so they are clearly understood when work is to be carried out.
象传: 随风, 巽; 君子以申命行事. Xiàng zhuàn: Suí fēng, xùn; jūn zǐ yǐ shēn mìng xíng shì.
First advancing then retreating. Requiring the steadfastness of a brave soldier.
‘First advancing then retreating’ – the mind is confused. ‘Requiring the steadfastness of a brave soldier’ – the mind would then be properly harnessed.
初六: 进退, 利武人之贞. Chū liù: jìn tuì, lì wǔ rén zhī zhēn.
象传: 进退, 志疑也. 利武人之贞, 志治也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jìn tuì, zhì yí yě. lì wǔ rén zhī zhēn, zhì zhì yě.
Submission under the bed. Priests and diviners in confusion. Good fortune and no blame.
The good fortune stems from the confusion arising from the middle line.
九二: 巽在床下, 用史巫纷若, 吉, 无咎. Jiǔ èr: xùn zài chuáng xià, yòng shǐ wū fēn ruò, jí, wú jiù.
象传: 纷若之吉, 得中也. Xiàng zhuàn: Fēn ruò zhī jí, dé zhòng yě.
Repeated and violent submission. Humiliation.
‘Repeated and violent submission’ – determination is lost.
九三: 频巽, 吝. Jiǔ sān: pín xùn, lìn.
象传: 频巽之吝, 志穷也. Xiàng zhuàn: Pín xùn zhī lìn, zhì qióng yě.
Regrets vanish. During the hunt catch three kinds of game.
‘During the hunt catch three kinds of game’ – deserving merit.
六四: 悔亡, 田获三品. Liù sì: huǐ wáng, tián huò sān pǐn.
象传: 田获三品, 有功也. Xiàng zhuàn: Tián huò sān pǐn, yǒu gōng yě.
Remaining steadfast and correct brings good fortune; regrets vanish and any undertaking is worthwhile. Even without a good start there will be a good outcome. Mulling over for three days before making changes and reconsidering three days later. There will be good fortune.
The good fortune from the fifth ‘nine’ comes from its middle and correct position.
九五: 贞吉悔亡, 无不利. 无初有终, 先庚三日, 后庚三日, 吉. Jiǔ wǔ: zhēn jí huǐ wáng, wú bù lì. wú chū yǒu zhōng, xiān gēng sān rì, hòu gēng sān rì, jí.
象传: 九五之吉, 位正中也. Xiàng zhuàn: Jiǔ wǔ zhī jí, wèi zhèng zhōng yě.
Submission beneath the bed, losing means of subsistence. Even remaining steadfast brings misfortune.
‘Submission beneath the bed’ – the top is worn out. ‘Losing means of subsistence’ – even trying hard brings misfortune.
上九: 巽在床下, 丧其资斧, 贞凶. Shàng jiǔ: xùn zài chuáng xià, sàng qí zī fǔ, zhēn xiōng.
象传: 巽在床下, 上穷也. 丧其资斧, 正乎凶也. Xiàng zhuàn: Xùn zài chuáng xià, shàng qióng yě. Sàng qí zī fǔ, zhèng hū xiōng yě.
The full set of 64 English translations is available in our new book 'Book of Changes - Deciphered' ➚.