I Ching Reading

Hexagram 57: The Gentle Wind

巽 · Xùn · Wind over Wind

gentlenesspenetrationpersistencesubtlety

The Gentle Wind (巽, Xùn) is hexagram 57 of the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching, in the traditional King Wen order. It is made of Wind (☴) above Wind (☴).

Meaning of hexagram 57

Like the wind, gentle but persistent influence gets in everywhere. Repeated, quiet effort wins where force cannot.

Advice

Be subtle and persistent, make your purpose clear and seek wise counsel.

The two trigrams

The Gentle Wind doubles the trigram ☴ Wind (Xùn): gentle, gradual and penetrating above and below, the quality of wind at its purest.

Hexagram
57. The Gentle Wind
Chinese name
巽 Xùn
Upper trigram
☴ Wind (Xùn)
Lower trigram
☴ Wind (Xùn)
Lines
4 yang (solid) and 2 yin (broken)
Place in the sequence
57 of 64 (King Wen order)

The six lines of The Gentle Wind

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.

  1. First line (yin, broken): the beginning. The root of the matter: early stirrings, foundations, and what has not yet shown itself.
  2. Second line (yang, solid): the inner circle. Your immediate surroundings and steady supports: how things work at close range.
  3. Third line (yang, solid): the threshold. A point of tension between inner and outer, often a test or a restless push forward.
  4. Fourth line (yin, broken): the approach. Stepping into wider circles or nearer to authority; caution and good relationships matter here.
  5. Fifth line (yang, solid): the center of power. The place of influence and clear leadership: where the situation is most fully expressed.
  6. Sixth line (yang, solid): the culmination. The far edge of the situation: completion, overreach, or letting go.

Related hexagrams