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Above; Wind, gentleness,
penetration
Below; fire, brightness, beauty
This hexagram represents
the strength of the family. The strong yang line at
the top represents the father, the strong bottom line,
the son. The strong line in the fifth place may also
represent the father. The weak yin line in the second
place represents the wife. Alternatively, the strong
lines in the fifth and third place are two brothers.
The weak second and fourth lines their wives. Each
individual line possesses the character in accordance
with its position.
It is the woman’s
persistence that brings good fortune. Women who cast
this hexagram should take it as a favourable omen,
but for men it does not have successful significance.
It is the place
of women to keep within. Men stand without. Keeping
to their appointed places, men and women act in accordance
with the laws of heaven. When the family is in order,
then all the social relationships of mankind are also
in order. When father, mother, sons and brothers take
their proper positions within the structure of the
family, when husbands play their proper part and wives
are truly wifely, all is well.
The wind rises
from the fire. The words of the Superior Man are full
of meaning, his life is constant and endures.
Line 1
The family circle
is closed and in good order. Regret vanishes.
The family is a
well-defined unit. Every member knows his place.
From his earliest years each child must be treated
with kind and loving firmness so that he learns discipline.
If he is allowed to exercise his whims and passions
he and his parents will eventually regret the indulgence.
Line 2
She should not
indulge her whims but attend to the needs of the household.
Persistence brings good fortune.
Although this lines
refers directly to the position of the wife in the
home, it has much wider application. One who is in
a position of service, whether to a single household
or to the state, should not follow his own selfish
desires, but should devote himself to his proper duties.
Line 3
When there are
quarrels in the family too much strictness brings
regret, nevertheless, good fortune. When children
and women mock, disgrace.
Discipline tempered
with tenderness is the best means of preserving concord.
Too great severity is to be avoided. Nevertheless,
in case of doubt, strictness is to be preferred to
indulgence and brings happiness.
Line 4
She is the treasure
of the house. Great good fortune.
The fourth line
represents the daughter-in-law, who can prove to be
the greatest treasure of the family. This verse also
refers to any woman of the house who nourishes the
family and supervises its economy. The fourth line
can also represent the faithful minister of a kingdom.
Line 5
He is a king in
his own house. Fear not. Good fortune.
When a husband
governs his family as a king governs his kingdom (or
conversely) all is well. Ruling justly and kindly,
evoking love and banishing fear, he brings prosperity
to all.
Line 6
His sincerity
and confidence bring him honour. Good fortune in the
end.
The man who subjects
his actions to constant self-examination will bring
good fortune to himself and to all his descendents,
earning himself honour and universal acclaim.
© 1979 Neil
Powell
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