Hexagram 17: Following (隨 Suí) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 17 (隨 Following)?

I Ching Hexagram 17, 隨 (Suí), represents Following. It is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Thunder (震 Zhèn) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 17 mean?

The Image states: 'Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.' This teaches that the superior person responds to the hexagram's situation by cultivating the corresponding inner quality.

Q: How do the six lines of Hexagram 17 develop its meaning?

The six lines trace a progression through the hexagram's situation. Starting from the bottom (Line 1) through Line 6, each position reveals a different aspect of how Following manifests — from initial stirrings to the final outcome. Key lines include the ruler of the hexagram and the culminating line.

Q: What is the relationship between Hexagram 17 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 17 (Following) follows Hexagram 16 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

隨

Suí — Hexagram 17

Following

Lake (兌 Duì) above, Thunder (震 Zhèn) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 17, 隨 (Suí), represents Following. Formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Thunder (震 Zhèn) below, this hexagram teaches about following. The core message: Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 17 is formed by Lake (兌 Duì) above, Thunder (震 Zhèn) below, combining two of the eight trigrams into a unique archetypal situation
The Judgment reveals the hexagram's core teaching through a concise, oracular statement
The six lines trace a progression from initial conditions through to the culmination and outcome
The Image connects the natural symbolism of the trigrams to the conduct of the superior person
This hexagram's wisdom applies to modern situations involving

The Judgment

Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.

— I Ching, Following

The Image

Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. To go out of the door in company produces deeds.

Line 2: Line 2: If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.

Line 3: Line 3: 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.

Line 4: Line 4: Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?

Line 5: Line 5: Sincere in the good. Good fortune.

Line 6: Line 6: He meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king introduces him to the Western Mountain.

Modern Application

Hexagram 17 addresses the dynamics of leading and following. Thunder within the Lake suggests that movement (thunder) stirred by deep stillness (lake) has the right quality. Following is not passive submission but active alignment with what is right. The hexagram teaches that every situation calls for a choice: whom or what to follow. Clinging to the weak means losing the strong; the reverse is also true. In modern terms, Following applies to mentorship relationships, organizational alignment, choosing role models, and knowing when to lead versus when to support another's leadership. It emphasizes that authentic following requires discernment, not blind obedience.

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