Following (隨, Suí) is hexagram 17 of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching,
in the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Lake (☱) above Thunder
(☳).
Meaning of hexagram 17
Leadership comes through knowing when to follow. Adapting to
circumstances and to worthy people brings support.
Advice
Adjust to the situation, follow what is good, and be sure who you are
following.
The two trigrams
Following places ☱ Lake (Duì), joyful, open and pleasing, above ☳
Thunder (Zhèn), arousing, sudden and energetic. The lower trigram is the
inner side of the situation and the upper one its outer side.
Hexagram
17. Following
Chinese name
隨 Suí
Upper trigram
☱ Lake (Duì)
Lower trigram
☳ Thunder (Zhèn)
Lines
3 yang (solid) and 3 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
17 of 64 (King Wen order)
The six lines of Following
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. In a reading, a changing
line (a 6 or a 9 in the three-coin method) draws attention to its
position.
First line(yang, solid): the beginning. The root
of the matter: early stirrings, foundations, and what has not yet
shown itself.
Second line(yin, broken): the inner circle. Your
immediate surroundings and steady supports: how things work at close
range.
Third line(yin, broken): the threshold. A point
of tension between inner and outer, often a test or a restless push
forward.
Fourth line(yang, solid): the approach. Stepping
into wider circles or nearer to authority; caution and good
relationships matter here.
Fifth line(yang, solid): the center of power. The
place of influence and clear leadership: where the situation is most
fully expressed.
Sixth line(yin, broken): the culmination. The far
edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.