Xun · Gentle Wind
巽卦 · 巽为风
- Gentle influence
- Persistence
- Adaptability
- Clear communication
The Judgment
Sun intimates that (under the conditions which it denotes) there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous (also) to see the great man.
小亨。利有攸往，利见大人。
The Image
Wind following wind: the gentle. The noble one, in the same way, repeats their instructions and carries out their affairs.
随风，巽。君子以申命行事。
Plain-language reading
Your situation
What you face calls for gentle force, not pushing. Xun is wind following wind, finding its way into everything, a symbol of yielding, penetration and influence. Perhaps you are moving a plan forward that needs many people's agreement, or trying to change someone's mind slowly.
Where to put your effort
Move forward in a gentle but persistent way: explain your intentions clearly, again and again, so people can gradually understand and accept them. Look for an opening that fits the situation rather than colliding head-on. But gentle does not mean spineless; avoid bending over backwards so often that you lose your direction.
Four areas of life
- Career
- Your luck is smooth; everything is suitable.
- Wealth
- Adapt to circumstances and profit can be expected.
- Family
- A settled home; husband and wife in step.
- Health
- Risk of stroke; you may need support to walk.
Health notes come from traditional texts and are cultural reference only. If you feel unwell, please see a doctor.
The six lines
Read from the bottom up: the first line is at the bottom, the top line is at the top. Open each line for details.
Nine in the second placeThe second line, undivided, shows the representative of Sun beneath a couch, and employing diviners and exorcists in a way bordering on confusion. There will be good fortune and no error.Moving
九二：巽在床下，用史巫纷若，吉，无咎。
Image：The good fortune of many: finding the centre.
- Career
- Under divine protection; your path is smooth.
- Wealth
- Hard to decide on deals; best to consult the oracle.
- Family
- Pray sincerely; divination shows good fortune.
- Health
- Offerings help you avoid blame.
Nine in the third placeThe third line, undivided, shows its subject penetrating (only) by violent and repeated efforts. There will be occasion for regret.Moving
九三：频巽，吝。
Image：The regret of repeated gentleness: the will is exhausted.
- Career
- Low position and low ambition; looked down on by others.
- Wealth
- Too submissive; how can you compete for profit?
- Family
- A poor family of humble standing.
- Health
- Far too weak.
Nine in the fifth placeThe fifth line, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (to its subject). All occasion for repentance will disappear, and all his movements will be advantageous. There may have been no (good) beginning, but there will be a (good) end. Three days before making any changes, (let him give notice of them); and three days after, (let him reconsider them). There will (thus) be good fortune.Moving
九五：贞吉，悔亡，无不利。无初有终。先庚三日，后庚三日，吉。
Image：The good fortune of nine in the fifth place: the position is central and correct.
- Career
- A balanced, upright position; everything goes well.
- Wealth
- Small regrets at first, great profit later.
- Family
- A house facing south; a well-matched couple.
- Health
- Better within three days.
Nine at the topThe sixth line, undivided, shows the representative of penetration beneath a couch, and having lost the axe with which he executed his decisions. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be evil.Moving
上九：巽在床下，丧其资斧，贞凶。
Image：Gentleness under the bed: at the top, the way runs out. Losing his means and his axe: this is truly misfortune.
- Career
- The higher you go, the riskier it gets; loss without gain.
- Wealth
- Sticking to old ways costs you; considerable losses.
- Family
- A death in the family; a henpecked husband.
- Health
- Possibly the end.
Related hexagrams
Judgment and line texts from the public-domain translation by James Legge (1882). Readings by DeepHeart AI.
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