Hexagram 57: The Gentle

Hexagram 57, The Gentle (Xùn, 巽), is formed of the upper trigram Wind (巽) over the lower trigram Wind (巽). Below is the classical judgment, the six line texts, and how to read this hexagram in a reading.

The Judgment

Trigrams

The outer (upper) trigram Wind describes the situation as it meets the world; the inner (lower) trigram Wind describes its inner disposition. Together they set the theme of The Gentle.

The Six Lines

• 初六 · Line 1 Advancing, retreating, wavering: a soldier's discipline would serve.进退，利武人之贞。
• 九二 · Line 2 Penetrating beneath the bed: invoke every priest and diviner — good fortune, no blame.巽在床下，用史巫纷若，吉，无咎。
• 九三 · Line 3 Grudging, repeated compliance — shame.频巽，吝。
• 六四 · Line 4 Remorse vanishes: the hunt yields threefold game.悔亡，田获三品。
• 九五 · Line 5 Steadfastness brings good fortune; remorse vanishes; nothing fails. Three days before the change, three days after — good fortune.贞吉，悔亡，无不利。无初有终。先庚三日，后庚三日，吉。
• 上九 · Line 6 Penetrating beneath the bed, one loses axe and means: persistence bodes ill.巽在床下，丧其资斧，贞凶。

Reading Hexagram 57 for Your Question

When The Gentle appears without changing lines, the judgment above stands as the whole answer. When you cast changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read those line texts first — they are the most specific guidance — then look to the relating hexagram they form for where the situation is heading. For love, career, or a decision, apply the theme of The Gentle to your own circumstances rather than reading it as a fixed prediction.