xùnAlso known as “The Gentle” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Sun” (Legge)
gentle penetrationwindinfluence
In plain words
Wind upon wind: the gentle that penetrates everywhere. Small success; favourable to have somewhere to go and to see the great man — persistent gentle influence rather than force.
The attitude it asks for
Repeat your message softly and consistently, and give your gentleness a clear direction, or it becomes mere drifting.
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.
Commentary on the Judgment
重巽以申命，剛巽乎中正而志行。柔皆順乎剛，是以小亨，利有攸往，利見大人。
The double Sun shows how, in accordance with it, (governmental) orders are reiterated.
(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.'
The Image
隨風，巽；君子以申命行事。
(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.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上九Nine at the top
巽在床下，喪其資斧，貞凶。
The sixth line, 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.
Its symbolism
巽在床下，上窮也。喪其資斧，正乎凶也。
'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.
The fifth line, 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.
Its symbolism
九五之吉，位正中也。
'The good fortune of (the subject of) the fifth line, undivided,' is owing to its correct position and its being in the centre.
The second line, 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.
Its symbolism
紛若之吉，得中也。
'The good fortune springing from what borders on confusion' is due to the position (of the line) in the centre.
The first line, divided, shows its subject (now) advancing, (now) receding. It would be advantageous for him to have the firm correctness of a brave soldier.
Its symbolism
進退，志疑也。利武人之貞，志治也。
'(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.
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 57, Yielding (Wind), mean?
Wind upon wind: the gentle that penetrates everywhere. Small success; favourable to have somewhere to go and to see the great man — persistent gentle influence rather than force.
Which trigrams form Yielding (Wind)?
巽 above 巽 — wind over wind. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 睽 Divergence.
What happens when a line of Yielding (Wind) changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Yielding (Wind) in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern - - — — - - — — is Yielding (Wind). You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.