Following
Lake (兌 Duì) above, Thunder (震 Zhèn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 17, 隨 (Suí), represents Following.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 17 (隨 Suí). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/sui). Judgment: received Zhouyi hexagram statement (卦辭). English: Translation by Oriens Editorial Translation. Image: Xiang / Image commentary layer (象傳), distinct from the Judgment and line texts. Image and line English: named translation by James Legge, The Yî King (1899), public-domain translation; online reproduction. The named translation is used for the Image and line statements only.
1. Judgment (卦辭 Guàcí)
隨：元亨利貞，无咎。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Great success; steadfastness is favorable. No blame.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
泽中有雷,随。君子以向晦入宴息。
James Legge: 1. In Sui we see the strong (trigram) come and place itself under the weak; we see (in the two) the attributes of movement and pleasure:—this gives (the idea of) Sui.
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初九：官有渝，貞吉。出門交有功。
James Legge: The first NINE, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will he good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
六二：系小子，失丈夫。
James Legge: The second SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the little boy, and lets go the man of age and experience.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
六三：系丈夫，失小子。隨有求得，利居貞。
James Legge: The third SIX, divided, shows us one who cleaves to the man of age and experience, and lets go. the little boy. Such following will get what it seeks; but it will be advantageous to adhere to what is firm and correct.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
九四：隨有獲，貞凶。有孚在道，以明，何咎。
James Legge: The fourth NINE, undivided, shows us one followed and obtaining (adherents). Though he be firm and correct, there will be evil. If he be sincere (however) in his course, and make that evident, into what error will he fall?
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
九五：孚于嘉，吉。
James Legge: The fifth NINE, undivided, shows us (the ruler) sincere in (fostering all) that is excellent. There will be good fortune.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：拘系之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
James Legge: The topmost SIX, divided, shows us (that sincerity) firmly held and clung to, yea, and bound fast. (We see) the king with it presenting his offerings on the western mountain.
For the general method for changing lines and relating hexagrams, see How to Read the I Ching.
4. Modern Interpretation (Oriens commentary)
This is an Oriens interpretation, not part of the Zhouyi text.
Following can prompt a careful question about alignment: whom or what is being followed here, and does it deserve that? The figure treats following as mutual — one follows, another is followed — and its lines keep testing whether the attachment is firm or casual.
The Chinese source and translation provenance are identified above. The Judgment is an Oriens Editorial Translation; the Image and line statements are labeled with James Legge. This keeps the modern reflection separate from both the received text and the named translation.
This reflection prescribes no allegiance and predicts that no loyalty pays. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 17 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.