I Ching · Hexagram 57 of 64 · Pure hexagram
57. Xùn 巽 · The Gentle
By Destiny Kua · Updated
Hexagram 57 doubles the Wind trigram: a broken line beneath two solid ones. Wind follows wind, reaching into every gap. Xùn is about influence that works gently and persistently rather than by force.
The image
Winds following one another. The commentary says the wise person spreads their instructions and carries out their affairs in the same way: repeatedly, clearly and patiently until they take root.
What hexagram 57 means
Receiving Xùn suggests that small, steady efforts will achieve more than a dramatic push. The traditional text says the gentle brings success in small matters, and that it helps to have somewhere to go and to see a great person. Clarity of aim matters: wind that blows in every direction achieves little.
Hexagram 57 in daily life
At work
Persuade gently, communicate clearly and repeat your message. Seek advice from someone experienced.
In relationships
Soft consistency wins trust. Small, repeated kindnesses matter more than grand gestures.
For yourself
Choose one direction and keep at it. Habits change through gentle repetition.
The six changing lines
If your cast included changing lines (a 6 or a 9), read the matching lines below. Line 1 is the bottom line.
| Line | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Line 1 | Going forward, then back. Indecision; the firmness of a soldier helps. |
| Line 2 | Looking under the bed, with many advisers. Uncovering hidden causes brings good fortune. |
| Line 3 | Penetrating again and again. Overthinking and repeated doubts lead to embarrassment. |
| Line 4 | Regret disappears. A productive hunt brings three kinds of game. |
| Line 5 | Persistence brings good fortune and regret disappears. No good start, but a good end. Plan three days before a change and review three days after. |
| Line 6 | Looking under the bed, losing your money and your axe. Digging too far costs you your means; stop. |
The two trigrams
This hexagram doubles the Wind trigram巽 (Xùn), the same trigram that belongs to Kua Number 4 in Eight Mansions feng shui. Its element is Wood. It is one of the eight pure hexagrams.
Related hexagrams
- Opposite (every line changed): 51. Zhèn 震 · The Arousing
- Inverted (read upside down): 58. Duì 兌 · The Joyous
Questions to reflect on
- What gentle, repeated action would move this forward?
- Is my aim clear, or am I blowing in all directions?
- Whose experienced advice could help?
Our line summaries are written in plain English in our own words, based on the traditional meanings. For reflection and entertainment, not prediction or professional advice.