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The Gentle

巽 (Xùn)

Hexagram #57

Hexagram Structure

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

Upper Trigram

Wind

Lower Trigram

Wind

Core Essence

Keywords

gentlenesspenetrationinfluenceflexibility

Meaning

Represents the power of gentle but persistent influence, like wind that penetrates everywhere.

Guidance

Use gentle persistence to achieve your goals. Gentle influence is often more effective than force.

Classical Texts

Judgment

The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. It furthers one to see the great man.

巽：小亨，利有攸往，利见大人。

Image

Winds following one upon the other: the image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior man spreads his commands abroad and carries out his undertakings.

随风，巽；君子以申命行事。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Gentle hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of humility and compliance. 'Xun' means wind, symbolizing gentleness and penetration. Laozi said 'The soft overcomes the hard,' embodying the philosophy of the Xun hexagram. The Xun hexagram teaches us: we should have the character of wind - gentle yet powerful, compliant yet directional. Sometimes gentleness is more powerful than force.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Wind Lower Trigram: Wind **Judgment Analysis:** The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. It furthers one to see the great man. 巽：小亨，利有攸往，利见大人。 **Image Wisdom:** Winds following one upon the other: the image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior man spreads his commands abroad and carries out his undertakings. 随风，巽；君子以申命行事。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of The Gentle can guide us: • Use gentle persistence to achieve your goals. Gentle influence is often more effective than force. • Keywords: gentleness, penetration, influence, flexibility • Core Concept: Represents the power of gentle but persistent influence, like wind that penetrates everywhere.

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