What is Hexagram 17, Following?
Hexagram 17, Following (隨 Suí), is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Thunder (震 Zhèn), and the Wilhelm-Baynes translation reads its themes as following, adaptability, rest. The classical sources describe it as a pattern in the Book of Changes (易經 Yìjīng), a situation to recognise, not a verdict to obey.
Key Takeaways
- Hexagram 17 is built from Lake (兌 Duì) over Thunder (震 Zhèn).
- Its central themes, following, adaptability, rest, trust, sit in the Wilhelm-Baynes lineage.
- The classical pairing matches the hexagram to Sodalite as the meditation stone.
- Read alongside BaZi, Kua, and Compass School sector mapping for a fuller picture.
- This is a pattern, not a verdict, the I-Ching frames reflection, not prediction.
The Judgment
Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.
The Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior person at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
Master Wei Lin's Interpretation
Interpretation by Master Wei Lin, Chinese Metaphysics Scholar, pattern recognition, not fortune-telling
Thunder beneath the lake, the active yielding to the joyous. Following teaches that wisdom sometimes means letting someone else lead. Your question involves deciding what, or whom, to follow. Not every moment requires you to be in charge. But choose wisely: follow what is worthy, not what is merely attractive.
The Six Lines
When a changing line appears in your reading, its text carries special guidance for your situation.
Line 1 (bottom)
“The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. To go out of the door in company produces deeds.”
Line 2
“If one clings to the small boy, one loses the strong one.”
Line 3
“If one clings to the strong one, one loses the small boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It furthers one to remain persevering.”
Line 4
“Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?”
Line 5
“Sincere in the good. Good fortune.”
Line 6 (top)
“One meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king introduces the one to the Western Mountain.”
🔮 Crystal for Hexagram 17
Sodalite
Hold Sodalite while meditating on Following. Its energy resonates with the themes of following, adaptability, rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hexagram 17 (Following) mean?
In the Wilhelm-Baynes translation of the I-Ching (易經 Yìjīng), Hexagram 17, Following (隨 Suí), is read through Lake (兌 Duì) over Thunder (震 Zhèn). The classical sources describe its themes as following, adaptability, rest. This is pattern recognition, not prediction.
What is the Judgment for Following?
The Judgment reads: "Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.", the Judgment is the I-Ching's classical summary of the situation the hexagram describes, and what the present moment is asking of the reader.
What is the Image for Following?
The Image reads: "Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior person at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.", in the classical sources the Image is the elemental picture, the upper and lower trigrams in conversation, that the reader holds while sitting with the hexagram.
What crystal pairs with Hexagram 17?
Sodalite is the traditional pairing for Following. The classical Chinese gemology lineage associates this stone with the hexagram's central themes, hold it during meditation on the reading. This is reflective practice, not divination-as-prediction.
How is Hexagram 17 read in BaZi or Feng Shui?
An I-Ching cast is one consultation. The fuller reading, Four Pillars (四柱 Sì Zhù), Kua personal feng shui, and Compass School sector mapping, reads the hexagram alongside the chart. Master Wei Lin's Master Reading section synthesizes the Book of Changes alongside BaZi and the other Chinese metaphysics traditions.
More Hexagrams
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