Sui 澤雷隨
A time to follow the flow
Following flexibly keeps things smooth. Just be careful about whom you choose to follow.
What does I Ching hexagram 17 (Following) mean?
Thunder beneath a lake: following the time and following people. Flexibly going with the flow is lucky.
- Following in love
- Matching the other person’s flow keeps a good bond going.
- Following at work and with money
- Moving flexibly with change brings allies.
- Advice
- Know when to follow and when to lead.
The judgment and the image
Judgment · Following
Auspicious“Great success; it is fitting to persevere. No blame.”
The Image: Thunder within the lake: following. At dusk the noble person goes indoors to rest.
原文 · 元亨。利貞。无咎。 / 澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。
The six lines of hexagram 17
Lines are read from the bottom up. When you cast a reading and a line is changing, its statement becomes the key message.
Line 1 · 初九
Auspicious“The post changes; perseverance brings good fortune. Going out the door to meet others brings results.”
A change of direction is fine when it is right. Get out and connect with people.
原文 · 官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
Line 2 · 六二
Neutral“Bound to the little boy, one loses the strong man.”
Choosing the minor attraction over the better option costs you the better one.
原文 · 係小子，失丈夫。
Line 3 · 六三
No blame“Bound to the strong man, one loses the little boy. In following, what one seeks, one gets; it is fitting to stay firm.”
You choose the better path and drop the lesser one. Hold your ground.
原文 · 係丈夫，失小子。隨，有求得利，居貞。
Line 4 · 九四
Misfortune“Following brings a catch; perseverance brings misfortune. Sincerity on the way and clear thinking: how could there be blame?”
Success makes people suspicious of your motives. Keep honest and transparent.
原文 · 隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。
Line 5 · 九五
Auspicious“Sincerity toward what is excellent: good fortune.”
Trust in what is good and worthy. A very lucky position.
原文 · 孚于嘉，吉。
Line 6 · 上六
No blame“Bound and held fast, then tied to it still; the king presents offerings at the western mountain.”
Deep loyalty and devotion that endures. A bond that is almost sacred.
原文 · 拘係之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
Related hexagrams
- Opposite hexagram (every line flipped): 18. Gu (Work on the Decayed)
- Reversed hexagram (turned upside down): 18. Gu (Work on the Decayed)
The classical text is in the public domain; the English translations and readings are our own, for reflection and entertainment.