Hexagram 37
Chia JênThe Family
Wind (Xun) · Fire (Li)
The image
The image of THE FAMILY. Thus the superior man has substance in his words And duration in his way of life.
This hexagram in one line
This hexagram represents the laws obtaining within the family. The strong line at the top represents the father, the lowest the son. The strong line in the fifth place represents the husband, the yielding second line the wife. On the other hand, the two strong lines in the fifth and the third place represent two brothers, and the two weak lines correlated with them in the fourth and the second place stand for their respective wives. Thus all the connections and relationships within the family find their appropriate expression. Each individual line has the character according with its place. The fact that a strong line occupies the sixth place—where a weak line might be expected—indicates very clearly the strong leadership that must come from the head of the family. The line is to be considered here not in its quality as the sixth but in its quality as the top line. THE FAMILY shows the laws operative within the household that, transferred to outside life, keep the state and the world in order. The influence that goes out from within the family is represented by the symbol of the wind created by fire.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Fire within wind
Hexagram Judgment
THE FAMILY. The perseverance of the woman furthers.
The foundation of the family is the relationship between husband and wife. The tie that holds the family together lies in the loyalty and perseverance of the wife. Her place is within (second line), while that of the husband is without (fifth line). It is in accord with the great laws of nature that husband and wife take their proper places. Within the family a strong authority is needed; this is represented by the parents. If the father is really a father and the son a son, if the elder brother fulfills his position, and the younger fulfills his, if the husband is really a husband and the wife a wife, then the family is in order. When the family is in order, all the social relationships of mankind will be in order. Three of the five social relationships are to be found within the family—that between father and son, which is the relation of love, that between husband and wife, which is the relation of chaste conduct, and that between elder and younger brother, which is the relation of correctness. The loving reverence of the son is then carried over to the prince in the form of faithfulness to duty; the affection and correctness of behavior existing between the two brothers are extended to a friend in the form of loyalty, and to a person of superior rank in the form of deference. The family is society in embryo; it is the native soil on which performance of moral duty is made easy through natural affection, so that within a small circle a basis of moral practice is created, and this is later widened to include human relationships in general.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Wind (Xun)
- Wind · Penetrating
- Fire (Li)
- Fire · Clinging
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
Family means that the woman holds the correct position within and the man holds the correct position without. When man and woman hold their correct positions, the great principle of heaven and earth is realized. In the family there are strict rulers: these are the parents. When the father is truly father, the son truly son, the elder brother truly elder brother, the younger brother truly younger brother, the husband truly husband, and the wife truly wife, then the way of the family is correct. When the family is correct, the whole world is established.
Family requires the woman to hold the correct inner position and the man the correct outer position. When family relationships are proper—father as father, son as son, elder brother as elder brother, younger brother as younger brother, husband as husband, wife as wife—the family way is correct and the world is established.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
The image of THE FAMILY. Thus the superior man has substance in his words And duration in his way of life.
Heat creates energy: this is signified by the wind stirred up by the fire and issuing forth from it. This represents influence working from within outward. The same thing is needed in the regulation of the family. Here too the influence on others must proceed from one's own person. In order to be capable of producing such an influence, one's words must have power, and this they can have only if they are based on something real, just as flame depends on its fuel. Words have influence only when they are pertinent and clearly related to definite circumstances. General discourses and admonitions have no effect whatsoever. Furthermore, the words must be supported by one's entire conduct, just as the wind is made effective by its duration. Only firm and consistent conduct will make such an impression on others that they can adapt and conform to it. If words and conduct are not in accord and not consistent, they will have no effect.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
- Hexagram LoveHexagram 37 (The Family) in Love: I Ching Guidance for RelationshipsWhat does Hexagram 37 (The Family) reveal about love and relationships? The foundation of the family is the relationship between husband and wife. The tie that holds the family together lies in the loyalty and perseverance of the wi... Explore how the I Ching guides emotional connection, dating, and partnership dynamics.
- Hexagram HealthHexagram 37 (The Family) in Health: I Ching Guidance for Wellbeing and VitalityWhat does Hexagram 37 (The Family) suggest about health and wellbeing? The foundation of the family is the relationship between husband and wife. The tie that holds the family together lies in the loyalty and perseverance of the wi... Explore how the I Ching frames the balance of energy, rest, and renewal.
Frequently asked questions
What does Chia Jên / The Family mean in the I Ching?
The foundation of the family is the relationship between husband and wife. The tie that holds the family together lies in the loyalty and perseverance of the wi...
How should I study Hexagram 37 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The family must form a well-defined unit within which each member knows his place. From the beginning each child must be accustomed to firmly established rules of order, before eve...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Family requires the woman to hold the correct inner position and the man the correct outer position. When family relationships are proper—father as father, son as son, elder brother as elder brother, younger brother as y...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.