Hexagram 17
Following - Sui
随
Meaning and Overview
The hexagram Sui (Following) has the upper trigram Dui, representing Lake, and the lower trigram Zhen, representing Thunder. The Image says: 'Thunder in the midst of the Lake: Following.' This is based on the trigram images. The Judgment says: 'The firm comes and places itself under the yielding; movement and joy.' This means the yielding follows the firm and moves, moving with joy—this is from the perspective of hexagram principles and moral reasoning. The yielding follows the firm: in terms of the upper and lower trigrams, it means the upper trigram Dui follows the lower trigram Zhen; in terms of specific yin and yang lines, it refers to adjacent yin and yang lines and corresponding lines following each other.
Chinese Interpretation
《随》卦上卦是兑，为泽，下卦是震，为雷。象辞说：“泽中有雷，随。”这是就上下卦象而言。辞说：“刚来而下柔，动而说。”应该是柔随刚而动，动而高兴，这是从卦理、义理而言。柔随刚，就上下卦而言，就是上卦兑随下卦震；就具体阴阳爻而言，就是指临近的阴阳爻与相应的阴阳爻相随。
Line Interpretations
These passages include the core hexagram statement, the six moving line texts, and traditional commentary where available. Read them as layered guidance: the early lines describe the root of the situation, while later lines reveal development, pressure, and outcome.
元亨利贞，无咎。
元始，亨通，有利，贞正，没有过错。
Supreme success, favorable through perseverance. No blame.
Originating, penetrating, advantageous, and correct; no fault.
初九，官有渝，贞吉；出门交，有功。
初九爻，思想观念随着时势发生相应的变化，与时俱进，坚守正道，吉祥。走出家门与贤能之士互相往来，结成朋友，会取得成功。
The first nine, undivided: The office changes. Perseverance brings good fortune. Going out of the gate in association with others brings merit.
The first nine line: One's thoughts and concepts change in accordance with the times, advancing with the times, adhering to the correct path—auspicious. Going out of the gate to associate with worthy and capable people, forming friendships, will bring success.
六二，系小子，失丈夫。
六二爻，这一阴柔处于中正之位的女子，如果迷恋上初九年轻小子，将会失去九五这样的具有英雄气概的男子汉。
The second six, divided: If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.
The second six line: This gentle woman in the central and correct position, if infatuated with the young man of the first line, will lose the heroic man of the fifth line.
六三，系丈夫，失小子；随有求，得；利居贞。
六三爻，热恋上九四这样的男子汉，就舍弃初九这样追求自己的小子。六三主动追求九四这样的男子汉，会得到九四的爱情，利于坚守正道。
The third six, divided: If one clings to the strong man, one loses the little boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It is favorable to abide in perseverance.
The third six line: If one passionately loves a man like the fourth line, one abandons the young man who pursues oneself. The third line actively pursues the man of the fourth line and will obtain his love; it is favorable to abide in perseverance.
九四，随有获，贞凶；有孚在道，以明，何咎。
九四爻，有很多追随九四的人，九四获得民心，按道理说肯定会引起君王猜疑，十分凶险。九四如果赢得君王信任，坚守正道，君王就会明白九四是有功之臣啊！
The fourth nine, undivided: Following brings success. But perseverance leads to danger. If one is sincere in the way and makes it clear, what blame can there be?
The fourth nine line: Many people follow the fourth line, and the fourth gains the people's hearts. In principle, this will certainly arouse the ruler's suspicion and is very dangerous. If the fourth wins the ruler's trust and adheres to the correct path, the ruler will understand that the fourth is a meritorious minister!
九五，孚于嘉，吉。
九五爻，取信于有道德有才能之人，吉祥。
The fifth nine, undivided: Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
The fifth nine line: Gaining trust from those with virtue and ability—auspicious.
上六，拘系之，乃从维之；王用亨于西山。
上六爻，用武力捉来捆绑起来，是因为上六黔驴技穷，没有办法。君王在西山举行祭祀。
The top six, divided: He is bound and held fast. Then he is freed and set in order. The king makes an offering on the Western Mountain.
The top six line: Captured by force and bound—this is because the top six has exhausted its tricks and has no other way. The king performs a sacrifice on the Western Mountain.