Previous / Contents / HEX TABLE / Next57. Sun [Wind, Penetrating]
Thwan, or Overall Judgment (Attributed to King Wan)Sun intimates that (under the conditions which it denotes) there will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous (also) to see the great man. [Whincup] Kneeling in submission. [Christensen] 57 - 巽 Yielding [Pearson] (xùn) Calculation, Choosing [Redmond] 57. 巽 Xun Kneeling [Legge] With Sun as the fifth of the Fu-hsi trigrams we have become familiar. It symbolises both wind and wood; and has the attributes of flexibility (nearly allied to docility) and penetration. In this hexagram we are to think of it as representing wind with its penetrating power, finding its way into every corner and cranny. Confucius once said (Analects 12. 19):—'The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend when the wind blows upon it.' In accordance with this, the subject of the hexagram must be understood as the influence and orders of government designed to remedy what is wrong in the people. The 'Daily Lecture' says that the upper trigram denotes the orders issuing from the ruler, and the lower the obedience rendered to them by the people; but this view is hardly borne out by the Text. But how is it that the figure represents merely 'some little attainment?' This is generally explained by taking the first line of the trigram as indicating what the subject of it can do. But over the weak first line are two strong lines, so that its subject can accomplish but little. The Khang-hsi editors, rejecting this view, contend that, the idea of the whole figure being penetration, line 1, the symbol of weakness and what is bad, will not be able to offer much resistance to the subjects of the other lines, which will enter and dispel its influence. They illustrate this from processes of nature, education, and politics; the effect they say is described as small, because the process is not to revolutionise or renew, but only to correct and improve. Such as it is, however, it requires the operation of the strong and virtuous, 'the great man.' Even all this criticism is not entirely satisfactory. Comments on the Thwan1. The double Sun shows how, in accordance with it, (governmental) orders are reiterated. 2. (We see that) the strong (fifth line) has penetrated into the central and correct place, and the will (of its subject) is being carried into effect; (we see also) the weak (first and fourth lines) both obedient to the strong lines (above them). It is hence said, 'There will be some little attainment and progress. There will be advantage in movement onward in whatever direction. It will be advantageous also to see the great man.' [Legge] 1. The language of this paragraph has often occurred to me in reading commands and addresses issued by the emperors of China, such as the essays on the precepts in what is called the Sacred Edict, the reiteration employed in many of which is remarkable. Paragraph 2. The 'obedience of the weak lines to the strong ones' grows, in a way not very perceptible, from the idea of the hexagram, and the quality of the trigram as denoting penetration and flexibility. Great Symbolism(Two trigrams representing) wind, following each other, form Sun. The superior man, in accordance with this, reiterates his orders, and secures the practice of his affairs. [Legge] I have said on the Thwan that some commentators make the upper trigram symbolical of the ordinances of the ruler and the lower symbolical of the obedience of the people. E. g., Khang-zze says:—'Superiors, in harmony with the duty of inferiors, issue their commands; inferiors, in harmony with the wishes of their superiors, follow them. Above and below there are that harmony and deference; and this is the significance of the redoubled Sun. When governmental commands and business are in accordance with what is right, they agree with the tendencies of the minds of the people who follow them.' Line Statements (Attributed to the Duke of Kau)1. The first SIX, divided, shows its subject (now) advancing, (now) receding. It would be advantageous for him to have the firm correctness of a brave soldier. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.1 [Whincup] [Christensen] 初 六﹕ 進 退 利 武 人 之 貞 Beginning 6: Advancing and retreating; it benefits the warrior to act correctly in this. [Pearson] Six in the first place: Advance and retreat: this is the constant for a warrior. [Redmond] 57.1 For advancing and retreating, for soldiers, beneficial divination. 初六進利退, 武人之貞. [Smaller Symbolism] 1. '(Now) he advances, (now) he recedes:'—his mind is perplexed. It would be advantageous for him to have the firmness of a brave soldier:'—his mind would in that case be well governed. [Legge] Line 1 is weak, where it should be strong. The movements of its subject are expressive of perplexity. He wants vigour and decision. 2. The second NINE, undivided, shows the representative of Sun beneath a couch, and employing diviners and exorcists in a way bordering on confusion. There will be good fortune and no error. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.2 [Whincup] [Christensen] 九 二﹕ 巽 在 牀 下 用 史 巫 紛 若 吉 无 咎 Second 9: You are yielding and stay seated. It is not a mistake to use different diviners and shamans to see if things can go well. [Pearson] Nine in the second place: Choosing to be under the bed: usage which makes witches seem indignant. Good fortune without blame. [Redmond] 57.2 Kneeling at the low platform. Employ record keepers and shamans in large numbers. Auspicious, there will be no blame. 九二巽在牀下. 用史巫紛若. 吉, 无咎. [Smaller Symbolism] 2. 'The good fortune springing from what borders on confusion' is due to the position (of the line) in the centre. [Legge] Line 2 is strong, and in the right place, and has a good auspice. Things are placed or hidden beneath a couch or bed; and the subject of the line appears as searching for them. He calls in divination to assist his judgment, and exorcists to expel for him what is bad. The work is great and difficult, so that he appears almost distracted by it; but the issue is good. For this successful explanation of the line, I am indebted to the Khang-hsi editors. The writer of the Text believed of course in divination and exorcism; which was his misfortune rather than his fault or folly. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] Paragraph 2 seems to say that the sincerity of purpose indicated by the central position of the second line conducts its subject to the right course, despite the many considerations that might distract him. 3. The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject penetrating (only) by violent and repeated efforts. There will be occasion for regret. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.3 [Whincup] [Christensen] 九 三﹕ 頻 巽 吝 Third 9: Having to yield several times is regrettable. [Pearson] Nine in the third place: Repetitious calculations: trouble. [Redmond] 57.3 Repeatedly kneeling in remorse. 九三頻巽吝. [Smaller Symbolism] 3. 'The regret arising from the violent and repeated efforts to penetrate' shows the exhaustion of the will. [Legge] Line 3 is in the right place for a strong line. But its position at the top of the lower trigram is supposed to indicate the restlessness, and here the vehemence, of its subject. And 6 is no proper correlate. All the striving is ineffective, and there is occasion for regret. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] 'The will is exhausted' in paragraph 3 intimates that 'the repeated efforts' made by its subject have exhausted him. He can now only regret his failures. 4. The fourth SIX, divided, shows all occasion for repentance (in its subject) passed away. He takes game for its threefold use in his hunting. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.4 [Whincup] [Christensen] 六 四﹕ 悔 亡 田 獲 三 品 Fourth 6: Regret vanishes because you catch three kinds of game on the hunt. [Pearson] Six in the fourth place: Regrets disappear. [Hunting, you catch three kinds of game.] [Redmond] 57.4 Regret goes away. In the field get three kinds of game. 六四悔亡. 田獲三品. [Smaller Symbolism] 4. 'He takes game in his hunting, enough for the threefold use of it:'—he achieves merit. [Legge] Line 4 is weak, as is its correlate in 1. But 4 is a proper place for a weak line, and it rests under the shadow of the strong and central 5. Hence the omens of evil are counteracted; and a good auspice is obtained. The game caught in hunting was divided into three portions:—the first for use in sacrifices; the second for the entertainment of visitors; and the third for the kitchen generally. A hunt which yielded enough for all these purposes was deemed very successful. 5. The fifth NINE, undivided, shows that with firm correctness there will be good fortune (to its subject). All occasion for repentance will disappear, and all his movements will be advantageous. There may have been no (good) beginning, but there will be a (good) end. Three days before making any changes, (let him give notice of them); and three days after, (let him reconsider them). There will (thus) be good fortune. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.5 [Whincup] [Christensen] 九 五﹕ 貞 吉 悔 亡 无 不 利 无 初 有 終 先 庚 三 日 後 庚 三 日 吉 Fifth 9: Correct things for the better; then regret disappears and all is beneficial. Not much of a beginning but there will be an end. Allow three days before the seventh day and three days after; this way things turn out good. [Pearson] Nine in the fifth place: Persisting: good fortune. Regrets disappear. Nothing is ineffectual. Nothing at first but you have it in the end. Before the geng day, three days. After the geng day, three days. Then good fortune. [Redmond] 57.5 Divination auspicious, regret vanishes, nothing not beneficial. Nothing begins but has an end. From three days before a geng day to three days after geng, auspicious. 九五貞吉, 悔亡. 无不利. 无初有終. 先庚三日; 後庚三日吉. [Smaller Symbolism] 5. 'The good fortune of (the subject of) the fifth NINE, undivided,' is owing to its correct position and its being in the centre. [Legge] On line 5 Khang-zze says:—'It is the seat of honour, and the place for the lord of Sun, from whom there issue all charges and commands. It is central and correct; we must find in its subject the qualities denoted by Sun in their greatest excellence. But those qualities are docility and accordance with what is right; and the advantage of firm correctness is insisted on. With this all will be right.' With the concluding sentence compare the conclusion of the Thwan of hexagram 18. 6. The sixth NINE, undivided, shows the representative of penetration beneath a couch, and having lost the axe with which he executed his decisions. However firm and correct he may (try to) be, there will be evil. Matching Line in Adjacent Hexagram: 58.6 [Whincup] [Christensen] 上 九﹕ 巽 在 牀 下 喪 其 資 斧 貞 凶 Top 9: You are yielding and stay seated while losing your property. Although this may be the correct way of acting it is still bad. [Pearson] Nine at the top: Divining under a bed, you lose your sacred axe. Persistence brings misfortune. [Redmond] 57.6 Kneeling at the low platform. Below it is his lost spade money. Divination ominous. 上九巽在牀. 下喪其資斧. 貞凶. [Smaller Symbolism] 6. 'The representative of penetration is beneath a couch:'—though occupying the topmost place, his powers are exhausted. 'He has lost the axe with which he executed his decisions:'—though he try to be correct, there will be evil. [Legge] The evil that paragraph 6 concludes with would arise from the quality of Sun being carried to excess. I have followed the Khang-hsi editors in adopting a change of one character in the received Text. [Legge: Smaller Symbolism] What is said in paragraph 6 proceeds on a different view of the Text from that which I have followed. Previous / Contents / HEX TABLE / Next |
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