suíAlso known as “Following” (Wilhelm/Baynes) and “Sui” (Legge)
followingadaptingflexibility
In plain words
Thunder resting in the lake: following the time, taking rest in the evening. Supreme success in following what is right — and in being worth following.
The attitude it asks for
Adapt to circumstances and good leadership without losing your principles; followers and the followed both need sincerity.
Structure
Upper trigram☱兌Dui (the Joyous)澤 · lake · Metal
Lower trigram☳震Zhen (the Arousing)雷 · thunder · Wood
Sui indicates that (under its conditions) there will be great progress and success. But it will be advantageous to be firm and correct. There will (then) be no error.
Commentary on the Judgment
隨，剛來而下柔，動而說，隨。大亨貞，无咎，而天下隨時，隨時之義大矣哉！
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.
'There will be great progress and success; and through firm correctness no error:'—all under heaven will be found following at such a time.
Great indeed are the time and significance indicated in Sui.
The Image
澤中有雷，隨；君子以嚮晦入宴息。
(The trigram for the waters of) a marsh and (that for) thunder (hidden) in the midst of it form Sui. The superior man in accordance with this, when it is getting towards dark, enters (his house) and rests.
爻辭 The six lines
When one line moves, the hexagram becomes another:
上六Six at the top
拘系之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
The topmost line, 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.
Its symbolism
拘系之，上窮也。
'The sincerity is firmly held and clung to, as shown in the topmost line:'—(the idea of the hexagram) has reached its extreme development.
The fourth line, 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?
Its symbolism
隨有獲，其義凶也。有孚在道，明功也。
'He is followed and obtains adherents:'—according to the idea (of the hexagram), this is evil. 'He is sincere in his course:'—showing his intelligence, and leading to achievement.
The third line, 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.
Its symbolism
系丈夫，志舍下也。
'He cleaves to the man of age and experience:'—by the decision of his will, he abandons (the youth) below.
The first line, undivided, shows us one changing the object of his pursuit; but if he be firm and correct, there will be good fortune. Going beyond (his own) gate to find associates, he will achieve merit.
Its symbolism
官有渝，從正吉也。出門交有功，不失也。
'He is changing the object of his pursuit:'—but if he follow what is correct, there will be good fortune. 'He goes beyond (his own) gate to find associates:'—he will not fail (in the method he pursues).
Shown in the classical Chinese with James Legge's English (1882).
Questions about this hexagram
What does Hexagram 17, Following Along, mean?
Thunder resting in the lake: following the time, taking rest in the evening. Supreme success in following what is right — and in being worth following.
Which trigrams form Following Along?
兌 above 震 — lake over thunder. Its nuclear hexagram (lines 2–5) is 漸 Gradual Advance.
What happens when a line of Following Along changes?
A moving line turns the hexagram into another one; the list above shows all six. With several moving lines, the guide to changing lines explains which text to read.
How do I get Following Along in a reading?
Build six lines from the bottom up with three coins or yarrow stalks; the pattern — - - - - — — - - is Following Along. You can also cast a reading here — the lines are decided by code, the text is this page's.