The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)
巽Sun (Wade-Giles) · xùn(pinyin)
巽 · Sun, Wind, over 巽 · Sun,Wind.
gradual influence · persistence · subtle persuasion · adaptability
In the constellation
The wind forces nothing, and the wind is what clears the sky. This hexagram is about influence of that kind: gentle, continuous, working in one direction so long that it enters everything — the way roots work into soil, the way a steady draft dries a house.
The situation is one where nothing dramatic is available, and nothing dramatic is needed. What works is smallness applied without lapse. A single gust changes nothing; wind matters because it does not stop. And there is a condition attached: the direction must hold. An influence that keeps shifting its aim dissolves into mere weather. There has to be a defined goal, and the pressure has to keep bearing on it.
The chapter marks the failure at either end. Gentleness without decision becomes drifting — a thousand doubts, endless deliberation, no act. And penetration pushed on too long, into every last dark corner, spends a strength that is no longer there. Between the two lies the real power of this figure: quiet, aimed, ceaseless. Its instrument is time, and time is enough.
A note in this site’s voice; the translation follows.
The two trigrams
above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD · below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
The chapter
The Judgment
THE GENTLE. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous effects. It should be effected not by an act of violation but by influence that never lapses. Results of this kind are less striking to the eye than those won by surprise attack, but they are more enduring and more complete. If one would produce such effects, one must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence works always in the same direction can the object be attained. Small strength can achieve its purpose only by subordinating itself to an eminent man who is capable of creating order.
The Image
Winds following one upon the other:
The image of THE GENTLY PENETRATING.
Thus the superior man
Spreads his commands abroad
And carries out his undertakings.
The penetrating quality of the wind depends upon its ceaselessness. This is what makes it so powerful; time is its instrument. In the same way the ruler's thought should penetrate the soul of the people. This too requires a lasting influence brought about by enlightenment and command. Only when the command has been assimilated by the people is action in accordance with it possible. Action without preparation of the ground only frightens and repels.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means:
In advancing and in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.In born gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness. One does not feel strong enough to advance resolutely. A thousand doubts crop up; one is, however, not minded to withdraw but drifts indecisively to and fro. In such a situation, a military decisiveness is the proper thing, so that one resolutely does what order demands. Resolute discipline is far better than irresolute license.
This line moving leads to 09 The Taming Power of the Small
Nine in the second place means:
Penetration under the bed.
Priests and magicians are used in great number.
Good fortune. No blame.At times one has to deal with hidden enemies, intangible influences that slink into dark corners and from this hiding affect people by suggestion. In instances like this, it is necessary to trace these things back to the most secret recesses, in order to determine the nature of the influences to be dealt with. This is the task of the priests; removing the influences is the task of the magicians. The very anonymity of such plotting requires an especially vigorous and indefatigable effort, but this is well worth while. For when such elusive influences are brought into the light and branded, they lose their power over people.
This line moving leads to 53 Development
Nine in the third place means:
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, lest it cripple the power of decision. After a matter has been thoroughly pondered, it is essential to form a decision and to act. Repeated deliberation brings fresh doubts and scruples, and thereby humiliation, because one shows oneself unable to act.
This line moving leads to 59 Dispersion
Six in the fourth place means:
Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.When a responsible position and accumulated experience lead one to combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. The three kinds of animals referred to served for offerings to the gods, for feasting guests, and for everyday consumption. When the catch answered all three purposes, the hunt was considered especially successful.
This line moving leads to 44 Coming to Meet
Nine in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse vanishes.
Nothing that does not further.
No beginning, but an end.
Before the change, three days.
After the change, three days.
Good fortune.In the situation described in Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED 18, an entirely new point of departure must be set up, whereas here it is only a question of reforms. The beginning has not been good, but the moment has been reached when a new direction can be taken. Change and improvement are called for. Such steps must be undertaken with steadfastness, that is, with a firm and correct attitude of mind; then they will succeed, and remorse will disappear. But it must be remembered that such improvements require careful consideration. Before a change is made, it must be pondered over again and again. After the change is made, it is necessary to note carefully for some time after how the improvements bear the test of actuality. Such careful work is accompanied by good fortune.
This line moving leads to 18 Work on what has been spoiled
Nine at the top means:
Penetration under the bed.
He loses his property and his ax.
Perseverance brings misfortune.A man's understanding is sufficiently penetrating. He follows up injurious influences into the most secret corners. But he no longer has the strength to combat them decisively. In this case any attempt to penetrate into the personal domain of darkness would only bring harm.
This line moving leads to 48 The Well
Structural relatives
- King Wen pair58 The Joyous, LakeThe other half of its couplet in the received sequence.
- Inverse · zong gua 綜卦58 The Joyous, LakeThe same figure turned upside down — the situation seen from the other side.
- Opposite · cuo gua 錯卦51 The ArousingEvery line exchanged for its contrary.
- Nuclear · hu gua 互卦38 OppositionThe figure hidden in the four inner lines — the situation inside the situation.
Sun is one of the eight doubled trigrams. It is the eldest daughter and symbolizes wind or wood; it has for its attribute gentleness, which nonetheless penetrates like the wind or like growing wood with its roots. The dark principle, in itself rigid and immovable, is dissolved by the penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in gentleness. In nature, it is the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene. In human life it is penetrating clarity of judgment that thwarts all dark hidden motives. In the life of the community it is the powerful influence of a great personality that uncovers and breaks up those intrigues which shun the light of day.