Hexagram 37: The Family (The Clan) (家人 Jiā Rén) — I Ching Guide

Q: What is I Ching Hexagram 37 (家人 The Family (The Clan))?

I Ching Hexagram 37, 家人 (Jiā Rén), represents The Family (The Clan). It is formed by Wind (巽 Xùn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below. The core teaching of this hexagram is captured in its Judgment: 'The Family. The perseverance of the woman furthers....'

Q: What does the Image of Hexagram 37 mean?

The Image states: 'Wind comes forth from fire: the image of the Family. Thus the superior man has substance in his words and duration in his way of life.' 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 37 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 The Family (The Clan) 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 37 and other hexagrams?

Hexagram 37 (The Family (The Clan)) follows Hexagram 36 in the traditional King Wen sequence, forming a meaningful progression. Its nuclear hexagram and opposite/complementary hexagram provide additional dimensions of meaning.

Oriens

家人

Jiā Rén — Hexagram 37

The Family (The Clan)

Wind (巽 Xùn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below

Published July 22, 2026 · By Oriens

Summary

I Ching Hexagram 37, 家人 (Jiā Rén), represents The Family (The Clan). Formed by Wind (巽 Xùn) above, Fire (離 Lí) below, this hexagram teaches about the family (the clan). The core message: The Family. The perseverance of the woman furthers..

Key Takeaways

Hexagram 37 is formed by Wind (巽 Xùn) above, Fire (離 Lí) 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

The Family. The perseverance of the woman furthers.

— I Ching, The Family (The Clan)

The Image

Wind comes forth from fire: the image of the Family. Thus the superior man has substance in his words and duration in his way of life.

— I Ching, Image

The Six Lines

Line 1: Line 1: Firm seclusion within the clan. Remorse disappears.

Line 2: Line 2: She should not follow her whims. She must attend to the food. Perseverance brings good fortune.

Line 3: Line 3: When tempers flare up in the family, too great severity brings remorse. Good fortune nonetheless. When woman and child dally and laugh, it leads in the end to humiliation.

Line 4: Line 4: She is the treasure of the house. Great good fortune.

Line 5: Line 5: As a king he approaches his family. Fear not. Good fortune.

Line 6: Line 6: His work commands respect. In the end good fortune comes.

Modern Application

Hexagram 37 addresses the family as the fundamental unit of society and moral cultivation. The hexagram describes a household governed by complementary roles — not hierarchy for its own sake, but a division of responsibility that maintains order and warmth. Wind over Fire suggests words (wind) must be backed by substance (fire). In modern terms, the Family hexagram teaches that healthy families require structure, clear communication, and each member honoring their role while respecting others. It extends beyond the nuclear family to any close-knit group or organization.

Related Guides

Chinese Philosophy Complete Guide

All major schools of Chinese thought

Taoism for Beginners

A practical guide to Taoist philosophy

Confucianism for Beginners

A practical guide to Confucian philosophy

Buddhism for Beginners

A practical guide to Buddhist philosophy

Stoicism for Beginners

A practical guide to start practicing Stoicism