Following
随
Upper: 兑/泽 | Lower: 震/雷
Overview
Sui (Following) is the seventeenth hexagram of the I Ching, composed of Thunder (Zhen) below and Lake (Dui) above. Thunder within the lake symbolizes thunder entering the marsh, with all things following its movement. The character 'Sui' originally means to follow or accompany, extended to mean adapting to circumstances and responding flexibly to change. Sui naturally follows Yu (Enthusiasm)—joy attracts hearts, and when hearts are won, following naturally emerges. The Sequence of Hexagrams states: 'Where there is enthusiasm, there will surely be following, hence Sui follows.' The core wisdom of Sui lies in understanding that true leadership is not about forcing compliance but about inspiring willing allegiance through virtue. Thunder (the eldest son) is below while Lake (the youngest daughter) is above—the elder humbling himself before the younger exemplifies the leadership quality of placing oneself below others.
Judgment
Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.
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Get Following ReadingJudgment Commentary
The judgment of Sui—'Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame'—contains all four virtues, indicating that the Way of Following is inherently perfect. However, this 'following' has strict prerequisites—it must be following the right path. 'Supreme' requires that the motivation for following be pure; 'success' indicates that the Way of Following can prosper; 'furthering' requires that following benefit both parties; 'perseverance' demands unwavering adherence to the correct path. Only when all four conditions are met can following be 'without blame.' If the object of following is improper, the motivation impure, or the method wrong, it becomes not 'following' but 'blind obedience.' Sui teaches us that choosing whom and what to follow is one of life's most important decisions.
Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
Image Commentary
The Image text—'Thunder within the lake: the image of Following. Thus the superior man at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation'—contains profound wisdom about health and conduct. 'Thunder within the lake' depicts thunder sinking into the marsh waters—as autumn and winter approach, thunder gradually subsides, hiding beneath the earth and waters, awaiting spring to rise again. The superior man emulates this celestial pattern by 'going indoors at nightfall for rest'—returning home to rest as darkness approaches. This is not laziness but wisdom in following natural rhythms. Active by day, resting by night; advancing when appropriate, retreating when necessary—this is the true meaning of 'following the time.' One who does not know how to rest does not know how to work; one who does not know how to yield does not know how to advance.
Interpretation
Sui symbolizes following and adaptation. Thunder within the lake stirs movement. By adapting to the times and following what is right, one achieves success without blame.
Line Texts
Nine at the beginning: The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. To go out of the door in company produces deeds.
Standards are shifting. Stay true and go forth to engage with others for achievement.
The first nine, a yang line at the beginning of Sui, symbolizes a person of conviction beginning to learn the art of following. 'Standards are changing' indicates that one's established positions and perspectives are shifting—to follow others, one must first set aside preconceptions. 'Perseverance brings good fortune' confirms this change is correct. 'Going out the door for dealings brings success' encourages stepping beyond one's own circle; collaboration with the outside world will surely yield results. The wisdom of the first nine: true strength lies not in stubborn insistence but in flexible adaptation and humble learning.
Six in the second place: If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.
Clinging to the petty causes one to lose the worthy. Choose wisely.
The second six, a yin line achieving centrality and correctness, has a direct correspondence with the fifth nine—the 'man of stature' it should follow. However, being adjacent to the first nine, it is easily attracted to this 'boy.' 'Clinging to the boy, one loses the man' warns that grasping at immediate small gains (the first nine) means losing truly important opportunities (the fifth nine). This is a profound lesson about choice—life constantly presents decisions between the 'boy' and the 'man,' between short-term benefits and long-term value. The second six must possess sufficient resolve not to be swayed by nearby temptations.
Six in the third place: 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.
Clinging to the worthy, one lets go of the petty. Following the right path brings what is sought.
The third six, a yin line achieving neither centrality nor correctness, is adjacent to the fourth nine and chooses to follow this 'man of stature.' 'Clinging to the man, losing the boy' is the reverse of the second line—the third six abandons the first nine (the boy) to follow the more capable fourth nine. 'Following brings what one seeks' indicates that following the fourth nine yields rewards. 'It furthers one to remain persevering' counsels staying on the right path. Though poorly positioned, the third six makes the correct choice—on the path of following, choosing wisely matters more than effort alone. Releasing the small to gain the great is the wisdom of discernment.
Nine in the fourth place: Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
Following brings gain, but stubbornness leads to misfortune. Walk sincerely on the right path and no blame arises.
The fourth nine, a yang line at the base of the upper trigram, is the object of following for the surrounding yin lines, possessing strong charismatic appeal. 'Following brings success' indicates gaining followers and achievements, yet 'perseverance brings danger' warns of peril—because the fourth nine holds a minister's position while wielding ruler-like influence, easily arousing suspicion. 'Having sincerity and staying on the path brings clarity—how could there be blame?' provides the resolution: as long as one maintains sincerity and acts with transparency, disaster is averted. The fourth nine's situation resembles a meritorious minister whose achievements overshadow the ruler—sincerity and openness are essential to dispel the sovereign's doubts.
Nine in the fifth place: Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Sincerity toward what is good and excellent brings good fortune.
The fifth nine, a yang line achieving centrality and correctness, occupies the ruler's position in Sui. 'Sincere in goodness, good fortune' indicates that following the way of beauty and virtue with sincerity surely brings auspiciousness. The fifth nine does not follow a person but follows 'goodness'—noble character and the correct path. This represents the highest level of following: a leader follows not power but righteousness. History's great rulers—Yao, Shun, Yu, and Tang—all achieved greatness by following the Way of Heaven and responding to the people's hearts. The fifth nine teaches us: the most elevated form of following is following truth and virtue.
Six at the top: He meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king introduces him to the Western Mountain.
Firm allegiance binds one closely. The king offers sacrifice at the Western Mountain to honor this devotion.
The top six occupies the extreme position of Sui, a yin line at the highest point. 'Bound and tied, and then followed and held fast' uses the imagery of ropes and bonds to describe a following relationship that has reached its ultimate intensity—no longer voluntary following but being firmly bound. 'The king offers sacrifice on the Western Mountain' refers to King Wen of Zhou's sacrifices at Mount Qi, representing the most devout attitude toward the relationship of following. The top six's following has transcended calculations of interest, reaching the level of spiritual devotion. This represents both the highest realm of following and a subtle warning of reversal at the extreme—excessive following may transform into bondage.
Modern Application
Sui teaches 'followership' in the workplace—choosing the right leader and platform matters more than individual ability alone. The first line's 'standards are changing' reminds us to dare to change fixed positions and keep pace with the times. The second line's 'clinging to the boy, losing the man' warns against sacrificing major opportunities for minor gains. The fifth line's 'sincere in goodness' indicates that genuinely following the right path will surely be rewarded
Sui symbolizes mutual following and companionship. The second line reminds us to prioritize wisely in love—don't lose someone truly precious because of casual flirtations. The fourth line's 'following brings success' indicates that sincere devotion will be reciprocated, but 'sincerity on the path' emphasizes it must stem from genuine feeling
Sui's core financial wisdom is 'follow the trend.' Follow market momentum rather than fighting against it; invest in teams and projects with real strength. The top line's 'bound and tied' warns against excessive attachment to outdated investment targets
'going indoors at nightfall for rest' is the finest wellness advice—follow circadian rhythms, avoid staying up late and overworking. Autumn and winter call for conservation and nourishment; spring and summer call for activity and stretching
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Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.
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Get AI Reading →What is the advice of Following?▾
Sui symbolizes following and adaptation. Thunder within the lake stirs movement. By adapting to the times and following what is right, one achieves success without blame.
Get AI Reading →Historical Story
The most celebrated historical story associated with Sui is the tale of King Tang of Shang following Yi Yin. Yi Yin was originally a slave who came as part of a dowry from the You Xin clan, but King Tang, with keen discernment, disregarded the vast difference in status and personally visited three times to recruit him. Moved by Tang's sincerity, Yi Yin finally agreed to serve as his advisor. A sovereign humbling himself to follow a man of slave origins exemplifies the principle of 'placing oneself below others,' ultimately establishing the Shang dynasty's six-hundred-year legacy. Another famous story is Liu Bei's three visits to the thatched cottage to recruit Zhuge Liang. Liu Bei, an imperial uncle, personally traveled to Longzhong three times, following Zhuge Liang's strategic wisdom, ultimately securing one-third of the empire. Both stories illustrate the same truth: genuine leaders understand the importance of humbling themselves to follow the worthy.
Related Trigrams
随卦的错卦为蛊卦（第18卦），随蛊相序，追随之后必有积弊需要整治；综卦亦为蛊卦，两卦互为表里；互卦为渐卦（第53卦），提醒追随应循序渐进、不可急躁。
References
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Further Reading
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