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The Taming Power of the Small

小畜 (Xiǎo Xù)

Hexagram #9

Hexagram Structure

6
Yang Line
5
Yang Line
4
Yang Line
3
Yin Line
2
Yang Line
1
Yang Line

Upper Trigram

Wind

Lower Trigram

Heaven

Core Essence

Keywords

refinementgradual progressrestraintcultivation

Meaning

Represents gentle but persistent influence that brings gradual change.

Guidance

Work on small improvements consistently. Gentle persistence achieves great results.

Classical Texts

Judgment

The Taming Power of the Small has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.

小畜：亨。密云不雨，自我西郊。

Image

The wind drives across heaven: the image of the Taming Power of the Small. Thus the superior man refines the outward aspect of his nature.

风行天上，小畜；君子以懿文德。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Small Taming hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of accumulating small things to achieve greatness. 'Xiao Xu' means small accumulation, like gentle rain nourishing all things - though small, it can nurture everything. Legend tells that when Yu the Great controlled floods, it wasn't accomplished overnight, but through countless small-scale treatments that eventually achieved great water conservancy projects. The Xiao Xu hexagram teaches us: don't underestimate small accumulations, trickling streams can converge into rivers, tiny sparks can start prairie fires. In modern society, this wisdom of 'accumulating small to achieve great' is even more important.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Wind Lower Trigram: Heaven **Judgment Analysis:** The Taming Power of the Small has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region. 小畜：亨。密云不雨，自我西郊。 **Image Wisdom:** The wind drives across heaven: the image of the Taming Power of the Small. Thus the superior man refines the outward aspect of his nature. 风行天上，小畜；君子以懿文德。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Taming Power of the Small can guide us: • Work on small improvements consistently. Gentle persistence achieves great results. • Keywords: refinement, gradual progress, restraint, cultivation • Core Concept: Represents gentle but persistent influence that brings gradual change.

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