Duration
Thunder (震 Zhèn) above, Wind (巽 Xùn) below
Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens
I Ching Hexagram 32, 恆 (Héng), represents Duration.
SourceZhouyi (周易, The Book of Changes) — hexagram 32 (恆 Héng). Chinese source: Chinese Text Project, based on 《武英殿十三經注疏》本《周易正義》 (ctp:book-of-changes/heng). 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)
恆：亨，无咎，利貞，利有攸往。
Oriens Editorial Translation: Success and no blame. Steadfastness is fruitful; having somewhere to go is fruitful.
2. Image (象 Xiàng / Xiang commentary)
雷风,恒。君子以立不易方。
James Legge: (The trigram representing) thunder and that for wind form Hang. The superior man, in accordance with this, stands firm, and does not change his method (of operation).
3. Line Statements (爻辭 Yáocí)
Line 1 of 6 (from the bottom):
初六：浚恆，貞凶，无攸利。
James Legge: The first SIX, divided, shows its subject deeply (desirous) of long continuance. Even with firm correctness there will be evil; there will be no advantage in any way.
Line 2 of 6 (from the bottom):
九二：悔亡。
James Legge: The second NINE, undivided, shows all occasion for repentance disappearing.
Line 3 of 6 (from the bottom):
九三：不恆其德，或承之羞，貞吝。
James Legge: The third NINE, undivided, shows one who does not continuously maintain his virtue. There are those who will impute this to him as a disgrace. However firm he may be, there will be ground for regret.
Line 4 of 6 (from the bottom):
九四：田无禽。
James Legge: The fourth NINE, undivided, shows a field where there is no game.
Line 5 of 6 (from the bottom):
六五：恆其德，貞，婦人吉，夫子凶。
James Legge: The fifth SIX, divided, shows its subject continuously maintaining the virtue indicated by it. In a wife this will be fortunate; in a husband, evil.
Line 6 of 6 (from the bottom):
上六：振恆，凶。
James Legge: The topmost SIX, divided, shows its subject exciting himself to long continuance. There will be evil.
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.
Duration can prompt a careful question about what endures: which patterns here are sustaining rather than merely repeated, and does staying still serve or stagnate? The figure pairs movement above with gentleness below — duration as rhythm rather than rigidity.
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 promises that nothing lasts by prediction alone. Health, financial, legal, employment, and relationship decisions belong within their appropriate professional and personal contexts.
Continue with the Hexagram 32 card and the I Ching guide; these are reading paths, not additional predictions.