䷐ Following Suí
Core Meaning
The Sui hexagram embodies the great wisdom of 'acting in accordance with the times.' Thunder within the lake, with thunder rumbling but contained within the lake, is like the superior person who 'enters into rest at dusk,' conforming to natural laws. 'The strong comes and submits to the soft' indicates the need for humility and compliance. 'Movement brings joy.' The key to Sui lies in choice: 'entangled with a small child, losing the husband' or 'entangled with a husband, losing the small child' – what you follow determines what you gain. The highest state is 'sincerity towards the excellent,' sincerely following good and virtuous people.
The Judgment
Following (Sui): Supreme success. Perseverance is profitable. No blame.
Interpretation:
The Sui hexagram symbolizes following good words and good deeds, leading to great success. By adhering to the righteous path, there will be no danger.
The Image
Thunder within the lake, Following. The superior person, in emulation, enters into rest at dusk.
Structure
The Sui hexagram has Zhen (Thunder) below and Dui (Lake) above. Zhen is thunder, representing movement; Dui is lake, representing joy. This signifies inner movement and outer joy. Thunder concealed within the lake is like a superior person conforming to the timing of heaven, resting at sunset. 'The strong comes and submits to the soft' means the firm and strong humbly places itself below the yielding and soft. By moving with joy, one can achieve following. This hexagram emphasizes the wisdom of acting in accordance with the times, following the righteous path, and knowing when to advance and when to retreat.
The Lines
The six lines are read from bottom to top, representing the progression from the foundation to the culmination.
Initial nine: An officer changes his ways. Perseverance brings good fortune. Going out and engaging with others yields merit.
Six in the second place: Entangled with a small child, losing the husband.
Six in the third place: Entangled with a husband, losing the small child. Following, with a request, one obtains. It is profitable to dwell in perseverance.
Nine in the fourth place: Following leading to gain. Perseverance brings misfortune. If there is sincerity in the path, leading to clarity, what blame can there be?
Nine in the fifth place: Sincerity towards the excellent. Good fortune.
Top six: He is held back, then bound to it. The king uses this to offer sacrifices on the Western Mountain.
Modern Interpretation
💼 Career & Business
Career development requires understanding the 'meaning of following the times.' 'An officer changes his ways' indicates that one's thinking should adapt to changes in the environment. 'Going out and engaging with others yields merit' means actively building connections will bring rewards. 'Following leading to gain' reminds us to maintain integrity and sincerity when others follow us. 'Sincerity towards the excellent' is key to career success – choosing the right collaborators and treating them with sincerity. Do not 'hold back' others as in the top six; instead, win people over with virtue.
❤️ Relationships
In relationships, carefully choose whom to follow. 'Entangled with a small child, losing the husband' (line 2) and 'entangled with a husband, losing the small child' (line 3) illustrate the need for wise choices when one cannot have both. 'Following, with a request, one obtains' means what you follow is what you will get. 'Sincerity towards the excellent' is the best state for a relationship – mutual sincerity and following good virtues. Avoid coercion, as in 'held back'; true following should be voluntary and joyful.
🎯 Decision Making
Decisions should align with the current situation; 'the meaning of following the times is indeed great.' Like thunder hidden in the lake, or a superior person resting at dusk, conform to natural laws. Carefully choose the direction and object of your following; 'entangling with a small child' or 'entangling with a husband' is a significant choice. 'Sincerity in the path, leading to clarity' means maintaining integrity and an open, upright manner is crucial. Do not rush for quick success; instead, 'it is profitable to dwell in perseverance,' as adhering to the righteous path is the long-term strategy.
⚠️ Warning & Caution
The greatest danger is improper following. 'Entangled with a small child, losing the husband' means choosing the wrong person will lead to losing better opportunities. 'Following leading to gain, perseverance brings misfortune' suggests that when profiting from being followed, it's easy to lose one's way, so integrity must be maintained. 'Held back' (coercing others to follow) will eventually backfire. Avoid blind following, and also avoid forcing others. True following is 'movement bringing joy,' making following a joyful choice.
Applicable Scenarios
The Following hexagram can provide guidance and inspiration when you encounter the following situations:
Historical Context & Cultural Heritage
Jiang Taigong's assistance to King Wen of Zhou is a classic example of the Sui hexagram. Jiang Taigong initially lived in seclusion by the Wei River, but when he met King Wen, he was able to 'change his ways' (his resolve) and 'going out and engaging with others yields merit.' He chose to 'entangle with a husband' (King Wen, an enlightened ruler), rather than 'entangling with a small child' (following others), ultimately achieving great success. He assisted the Zhou dynasty with 'sincerity towards the excellent,' and his 'movement brought joy,' earning the trust and reliance of both King Wen and King Wu. This exemplifies the wisdom of the Sui hexagram: choosing the right person to follow, acting in accordance with the times, and gaining recognition through sincerity and ability.
Related Hexagrams
Based on the connections between hexagrams, the following are also worth exploring:
Deepen Your Understanding
This interpretation provides a foundational understanding of the Following hexagram. For a deeper comprehension, consider:
- • Reading commentaries from classical scholars and modern interpreters
- • Studying the hexagram's position within the overall sequence of the 64 hexagrams
- • Reflecting on how its wisdom applies to your current life situation
- • Exploring the changing lines and their resulting hexagrams in divination
Authoritative Resources
Want to explore the I Ching more deeply? These authoritative resources provide scholarly perspectives: