Hexagram 17
Following
随 (Suí)
Lake over Thunder
Hexagram 17 represents the principle of following and adapting to natural rhythms and circumstances. This hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of knowing when to lead and when to follow, embodying flexibility, receptivity, and the ability to move harmoniously with changing conditions. Following teaches us that true strength lies not in rigid control but in responsive adaptation, allowing ourselves to be guided by circumstances while maintaining our inner integrity and purpose throughout the journey.
Key Concepts
The Judgment (卦辞)
Translation: "Following. Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame."
Hexagram 17 reveals the profound wisdom of following as a path to supreme success and harmony. This hexagram teaches that following does not mean weakness or passive submission, but rather the intelligent recognition of natural order and the willingness to align ourselves with beneficial forces and worthy leaders. When we follow with discernment and integrity, we create conditions for mutual benefit and collective advancement. The promise of supreme success comes from understanding that sometimes the greatest leadership is knowing when to follow, allowing ourselves to be guided by those with greater wisdom, experience, or position while maintaining our own moral compass and authentic purpose throughout the process.
The ancient sages understood that following requires both humility and strength of character. True following is an active choice, not passive compliance. It demands that we carefully evaluate whom and what we follow, ensuring alignment with our values and goals. When we follow the right path, the right people, or the right timing, we move with the current rather than against it, conserving energy while making greater progress. This hexagram assures us that such intelligent following brings no blame and leads to favorable outcomes for all involved.
The Image (大象传)
君子以向晦入宴息。
Translation: "Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior person at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation."
The image of thunder within the lake presents a powerful metaphor for the principle of following natural rhythms and cycles. Thunder, representing active energy and movement, rests within the lake, symbolizing joyful receptivity and stillness. This combination teaches us that even the most dynamic forces must sometimes yield and follow the natural order of things. The superior person observes this principle by following the rhythm of day and night, knowing when to be active and when to rest, when to advance and when to withdraw. This wisdom of timing and adaptation ensures sustained vitality and effectiveness across all endeavors and seasons of life.
By following the example of nature's cycles, we learn to conserve our energy and direct it appropriately. Just as thunder does not constantly roar but waits for the proper moment, we too must learn to follow the natural ebb and flow of circumstances. The image of entering one's home at nightfall represents the wisdom of knowing when to cease striving and allow ourselves to be carried by the natural rhythm of rest and renewal, trusting that this following of natural law will restore our strength for future action.
The Six Lines (六爻)
Nine at the Beginning (初九)
Bottom line - Yang
"The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. Going out of the door together brings achievement."
This line indicates a time of transition where old patterns give way to new directions. Be willing to change your allegiances or methods when circumstances clearly indicate a better path forward. Opening yourself to new associations and collaborations brings success. The key is maintaining integrity while being flexible enough to recognize when change serves the greater good. Step beyond familiar boundaries and engage with others who share your evolving vision and values.
Six in the Second Place (六二)
Second line - Yin
"If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man."
This line warns against following inferior influences or clinging to immature relationships when better guidance is available. You face a choice between what is comfortable but limiting and what is challenging but beneficial. Choose to follow wisdom and strength rather than familiarity and ease. Letting go of lesser attachments creates space for more meaningful connections. Evaluate your associations carefully and have the courage to align yourself with those who truly support your highest development and aspirations.
Six in the Third Place (六三)
Third line - Yin
"If one clings to the strong man, one loses the little boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It furthers one to remain persevering."
Here you make the wise choice to follow mature guidance and worthy leadership, even if it means releasing childish attachments or comfortable but unproductive relationships. This decision brings you closer to your true goals and desires. By following the right path and the right people, you discover what you have been seeking. Remain steadfast in this choice despite any temporary discomfort or loss. Your commitment to following wisdom rather than convenience will yield the results you truly desire.
Nine in the Fourth Place (九四)
Fourth line - Yang
"Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could this be a mistake?"
This line presents a paradox: while following brings success, rigid persistence in the wrong direction brings harm. The solution lies in following your authentic path with sincerity and clarity rather than blindly adhering to external expectations or outdated commitments. Trust your inner truth and follow it with transparent honesty. When you act from genuine conviction and communicate your intentions clearly, you avoid blame even when your path differs from others' expectations. Authentic following means being true to your deepest values.
Nine in the Fifth Place (九五)
Fifth line - Yang
"Sincere in the good. Good fortune."
The ruler's position emphasizes following what is genuinely good and excellent with complete sincerity and commitment. When you align yourself wholeheartedly with worthy principles, noble causes, or virtuous leaders, great fortune follows naturally. This line represents the ideal of following: choosing the highest good and dedicating yourself to it with unwavering faith and integrity. Your sincere devotion to excellence and goodness attracts corresponding blessings and creates positive outcomes that benefit everyone involved in the endeavor.
Six at the Top (上六)
Top line - Yin
"He meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king introduces him to the Western Mountain."
This highest line represents complete commitment and the deepest level of following, where bonds become unbreakable and loyalty is absolute. You have reached a stage where following transforms into sacred dedication, recognized and honored by the highest authorities. This represents spiritual following or devotion to ultimate principles that transcend ordinary relationships. Your unwavering commitment to the path you follow brings you into the presence of the divine or the highest wisdom, where you receive profound recognition and spiritual elevation.
Love & Relationships (爱情)
In matters of the heart, hexagram 17 teaches the art of harmonious partnership through mutual following and leading. Successful relationships require both partners to sometimes lead and sometimes follow, adapting to each other's strengths and needs. This is an excellent time to practice flexibility in your romantic connections, allowing your partner to guide when they have greater insight or capability, while offering your own leadership when appropriate. The key to romantic success lies in creating a dance of mutual respect where both individuals feel valued and heard, neither dominating nor submitting completely, but flowing together in responsive harmony.
For those seeking love, this hexagram suggests that romance will develop through your willingness to be receptive and follow natural attraction rather than forcing connections or pursuing unavailable partners. Allow relationships to unfold organically, following the genuine pull of compatible energy and shared values. Be discerning about whom you choose to follow into intimacy, ensuring they demonstrate qualities worthy of your trust and devotion. The right relationship will feel like a natural current carrying you forward rather than an uphill struggle requiring constant effort and compromise of your essential self.
In established relationships, hexagram 17 encourages you to examine whether you are following healthy patterns or clinging to dysfunctional dynamics out of habit or fear. Have the courage to change direction if your relationship has taken an unhealthy turn, while remaining committed to the underlying bond if it is fundamentally sound. Practice the wisdom of following your partner's lead in their areas of strength while confidently guiding in your own areas of expertise. This mutual following creates a balanced partnership where both individuals grow and thrive together in joyful cooperation.
Career & Business (事业)
Professionally, hexagram 17 indicates a period where success comes through strategic following rather than aggressive leadership. This may mean aligning yourself with a mentor, joining a successful team, or adapting your methods to proven industry standards. Your career advances when you demonstrate the wisdom to follow established protocols while contributing your unique talents within that framework. Be willing to learn from those with greater experience, following their guidance while developing your own expertise. This humble approach to professional development builds a solid foundation for future leadership roles and creates valuable relationships with influential colleagues and superiors who recognize your cooperative spirit.
For entrepreneurs and business leaders, this hexagram counsels following market trends and customer needs rather than imposing your vision without regard for external realities. Success comes from adapting your offerings to what people actually want and need, following the signals the market provides. Study your competitors' successes and follow proven business models while adding your unique innovations. This is also an excellent time to follow the advice of consultants, advisors, or experienced business partners who can guide you through unfamiliar territory. Your willingness to follow expert guidance prevents costly mistakes and accelerates your business growth significantly.
In workplace dynamics, hexagram 17 emphasizes the importance of being a good team player who knows when to lead initiatives and when to support others' leadership. Your professional reputation benefits greatly from demonstrating flexibility and cooperation, following organizational procedures while contributing creative solutions within appropriate channels. Avoid the trap of following incompetent leadership out of mere compliance; instead, use discernment to align yourself with worthy projects and capable leaders. Your career trajectory improves when you strategically position yourself to follow rising stars and successful departments within your organization.
Health & Wellness (健康)
In health matters, hexagram 17 emphasizes following your body's natural rhythms and signals rather than imposing rigid regimens that conflict with your authentic needs. Listen carefully to what your body tells you about rest, nutrition, and activity levels, following its wisdom rather than external pressures or unrealistic standards. This is an excellent time to work with healthcare practitioners whose guidance you trust, following their recommendations while remaining attuned to your own bodily responses. Your health improves when you follow natural cycles of activity and rest, eating when hungry, sleeping when tired, and moving when your body craves exercise rather than adhering to arbitrary schedules.
For those recovering from illness or managing chronic conditions, this hexagram counsels following proven treatment protocols while maintaining open communication with your healthcare team about what works for your unique situation. Follow medical advice conscientiously, but also follow your intuition about complementary approaches that support your healing. Your recovery accelerates when you follow the path of least resistance, allowing your body's natural healing intelligence to guide the process rather than forcing progress through willpower alone. Trust that your body knows how to heal when given proper support, rest, and nourishment according to its individual requirements.
In wellness and fitness pursuits, hexagram 17 suggests following programs and teachers that resonate with your body type, fitness level, and personal goals rather than chasing trendy workouts that may not suit your needs. Find exercise modalities that feel natural and enjoyable, following the pleasure principle rather than punishment mentality. Your long-term health benefits from following sustainable practices you can maintain over time rather than extreme measures that lead to burnout. Follow the wisdom of gradual progression, allowing your fitness to develop naturally through consistent, appropriate effort rather than forcing rapid results that risk injury or exhaustion.
Financial Matters (财运)
Financially, hexagram 17 indicates prosperity through following sound financial principles and proven wealth-building strategies rather than chasing speculative opportunities or untested schemes. This is a time to follow the advice of qualified financial advisors, following established investment approaches that have demonstrated long-term success. Your wealth grows when you follow the discipline of regular saving, prudent spending, and diversified investing rather than impulsive financial decisions based on emotion or greed. Study how successful people manage money and follow their example, adapting their strategies to your own circumstances and goals while maintaining the core principles that create lasting financial security.
For business finances, this hexagram counsels following industry best practices for accounting, cash flow management, and financial planning rather than cutting corners or ignoring professional standards. Follow the guidance of experienced accountants and financial managers who can help you navigate complex financial decisions and regulatory requirements. Your business prospers when you follow conservative financial principles, maintaining adequate reserves and avoiding overleveraging even when aggressive expansion seems tempting. The path to sustainable business success follows proven financial disciplines rather than risky shortcuts that promise quick returns but threaten long-term stability and survival.
In personal money management, hexagram 17 suggests following a budget that aligns with your values and goals rather than spending patterns driven by social pressure or advertising manipulation. Follow your own financial plan consistently, tracking your progress and adjusting as needed while maintaining commitment to your long-term objectives. This is also favorable for following mentors or educational programs that teach practical money management skills and investment knowledge. Your financial confidence and capability increase when you follow a learning path that builds genuine understanding rather than seeking magic formulas or get-rich-quick solutions that rarely deliver lasting results.
Personal Growth (个人成长)
Hexagram 17 represents a significant opportunity for personal development through the practice of conscious following and discerning receptivity. Your growth accelerates when you follow teachers, teachings, or practices that genuinely resonate with your deepest self while releasing attachments to paths that no longer serve your evolution. This is an excellent time to find a mentor or guide whose wisdom and experience can illuminate your journey, following their guidance while maintaining your own inner authority and discernment. Personal transformation occurs through the humble recognition that you do not have all the answers and that following those who have walked the path before you can save years of unnecessary struggle and confusion.
The challenge of this hexagram lies in developing the wisdom to know what and whom to follow while avoiding blind conformity or dependent relationships that undermine your autonomy. True following in personal growth means choosing your influences consciously, evaluating whether they lead you toward your authentic self or away from it. Follow practices and philosophies that expand your awareness and capability rather than those that diminish your power or create unhealthy dependencies. Your spiritual and psychological development flourishes when you follow the inner voice of your higher self while remaining open to external guidance that confirms and supports your inner knowing.
In your journey of self-discovery, hexagram 17 encourages you to follow your curiosity and natural interests rather than pursuing goals imposed by others' expectations or societal pressures. Allow yourself to be drawn toward experiences, studies, and relationships that genuinely fascinate and inspire you, following these authentic attractions as guides to your true purpose and potential. Your personal growth path becomes clear when you follow the breadcrumbs of joy, meaning, and natural talent rather than forcing yourself down paths that feel foreign to your essential nature. Trust that following what truly calls to you will lead to your highest development and greatest contribution.
Timing & Advice (时机与建议)
The timing of hexagram 17 favors receptivity, adaptation, and strategic alignment with beneficial forces and worthy leaders rather than independent action or resistance to prevailing conditions. This is not a time to swim against the current or insist on your own way regardless of circumstances. Instead, success comes through intelligent following of natural rhythms, market trends, organizational directions, or the guidance of those with greater wisdom and experience in relevant areas. The universe supports your willingness to be flexible and responsive, rewarding those who can adapt gracefully while maintaining their core integrity and values throughout the process of change and adjustment.
The key advice of this hexagram is to practice discernment in your following, carefully evaluating whom and what you choose to follow while committing fully once you have made your choice. Half-hearted following brings mediocre results, while wholehearted commitment to the right path, person, or principle brings supreme success. Take time to assess whether your current allegiances serve your highest good, having the courage to change direction if you discover you have been following the wrong guides or outdated patterns. Trust that the right path will feel like flowing with a current rather than constantly struggling upstream against natural forces.
Moving forward, embrace the wisdom of following as an active practice of conscious choice rather than passive submission to external control. Recognize that true strength includes the flexibility to adapt, the humility to learn, and the wisdom to recognize when others have valuable guidance to offer. Follow the natural rhythms of your life, the genuine needs of your body and spirit, and the authentic pull of your deepest values and aspirations. By following what is truly good and worthy with sincerity and commitment, you align yourself with beneficial forces that carry you toward success, fulfillment, and the realization of your highest potential.