I Ching hexagram · 17 of 64
Hexagram 17: Following 随 Suí · Following, adapting, timing
Adapt to the times and follow what is worthy. Supreme success. Perseverance brings benefit. No blame.
- Upper: ☱ Lake
- Lower: ☳ Thunder
- Nuclear: 53
- Opposite: 18
Number
17 of 64
Chinese name
随 Suí
Upper trigram
☱ Lake
Lower trigram
☳ Thunder
Nuclear hexagram
䷴ 53. Gradual Development
Opposite hexagram
䷑ 18. Repairing Decay
What hexagram 17 means
Hexagram 17 shows thunder resting in the middle of the lake, energy that adapts to the season. It is about following: adapting to the times, and leading in a way that makes others want to follow.
To be followed, you must first know how to follow. Adapt to circumstances without losing your principles, and rest when the time calls for rest.
The Judgement · 卦辞
随：元亨利贞，无咎。
Supreme success. Perseverance brings benefit. No blame.
The Image · 象曰
泽中有雷，随；君子以向晦入宴息。
Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of following. At nightfall the noble person goes indoors to rest.
The lines and trigrams
Following places ☱ Lake (兑 Duì), the trigram of joy and openness, above ☳ Thunder (震 Zhèn), the trigram of movement and arousal. The lower trigram describes the inner situation and the upper trigram the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 17 in your life
Love and relationships
Go with the flow of the relationship and be willing to adapt. Following each other, rather than one dominating, builds lasting attraction.
Personal growth
Learn to recognise when to lead and when to follow. Adapting gracefully is a strength.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 17 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初九 · Nine at the beginning
Standards are changing. Perseverance brings good fortune, and going out to meet others brings achievement.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
Clinging to the little one, you lose the strong one. Choosing the easy connection costs you the valuable one.
Line 3 六三 · Six in the third place
Clinging to the strong one, you lose the little one. Following what is worthwhile brings what you seek; stay firm.
Line 4 九四 · Nine in the fourth place
Following that brings gain for yourself is dangerous. Sincerity and a clear purpose remove the blame.
Line 5 九五 · Nine in the fifth place
Sincere in pursuing the good. Good fortune.
Line 6 上六 · Six at the top
Firmly bound in allegiance. A deep and lasting bond is honoured, like an offering made on the western mountain.
Hexagram 17 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 17 mean?
Hexagram 17, Following (随 Suí), is about following, adapting, timing. Adapt to the times and follow what is worthy. Hexagram 17 shows thunder resting in the middle of the lake, energy that adapts to the season. It is about following: adapting to the times, and leading in a way that makes others want to follow.
What does hexagram 17 mean in love?
Go with the flow of the relationship and be willing to adapt. Following each other, rather than one dominating, builds lasting attraction.
What does hexagram 17 mean for work and money?
Adapt to change, follow good leadership or win people over by example. Flexibility and timing matter more than force.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 17?
Hexagram 17 has Lake (Duì) as its upper trigram and Thunder (Zhèn) as its lower trigram.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 17?
Its nuclear hexagram is 53, Gradual Development. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 18, Repairing Decay. Turned upside down it becomes 18, Repairing Decay.
All 64 hexagrams
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