Hexagram 9, line 2
九二Line 2 of Small Accumulation
Nine in the second place · 小畜 xiǎo chù
爻辭 The line text
牽復，吉。The second line, undivided, shows its subject, by the attraction (of the former line), returning (to the proper course). There will be good fortune.
牽復在中，亦不自失也。'By the attraction (of the subject of the former line) he returns (to its own course),' and is in the central place:—neither will he err in what is due from him.
In plain words
Line two is 'led back — good fortune.' It is strong and central but has no correspondent above (five is also yang), so it cannot advance on its own account; it is drawn back hand in hand with line one, which has already turned. The small Image reads 牽復在中 as a line that, being in the centre, 'does not lose itself' (亦不自失也): to be pulled back by a companion is no humiliation when one's own ground is firm. Cheng Yi stresses that two and one share one nature and one situation, so returning together is the natural move, not a defeat.
If this line is changing
Let yourself be drawn back by those who share your position rather than striking out alone; holding the centre matters more than being first.
Where the line stands
- A solid line, yang — written 九 (nine), the number of an old yang line that moves when cast.
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning.
- It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
- It belongs to the lower trigram 乾 Qian (the Creative) (heaven).
- It has no correspondence (無應) with line 5: both lines are yang, so this line must find its support in its neighbours or in itself.
之卦 When this line moves
小畜 Small Accumulation becomes ䷤ 37 家人 Household
Wind coming out of fire: the household. Favourable for steadfastness within the home; when the roles in a family are right, the wider world is set right.
What it becomes37 · 家人 Householdjiā rénThe six lines of 小畜 Small Accumulation
- 初九Nine at the beginningreturning · one's own path · no blame
- 九二Nine in the second placedrawn back · central · not losing oneself
- 九三Nine in the third placespokes fall out · averted eyes · forcing it
- 六四Six in the fourth placesincerity · ruler of the hexagram · fear departs
- 九五Nine in the fifth placebound together · shared wealth · neighbour
- 上九Nine at the toprain has fallen · moon nearly full · do not advance
Read 小畜 Small Accumulation for a question about
Questions about this line
- What does Nine in the second place of hexagram 9, Small Accumulation, mean?
- Line two is 'led back — good fortune.' It is strong and central but has no correspondent above (five is also yang), so it cannot advance on its own account; it is drawn back hand in hand with line one, which has already turned. The small Image reads 牽復在中 as a line that, being in the centre, 'does not lose itself' (亦不自失也): to be pulled back by a companion is no humiliation when one's own ground is firm. Cheng Yi stresses that two and one share one nature and one situation, so returning together is the natural move, not a defeat.
- What does hexagram 9 become when line 2 changes?
- Small Accumulation becomes hexagram 37, 家人 Household: Wind coming out of fire: the household. Favourable for steadfastness within the home; when the roles in a family are right, the wider world is set right.
- Is line 2 of Small Accumulation in its correct place?
- It is not in its correct place (不當位): a yang line in an even position or a yin line in an odd one, which the tradition reads as a line under some strain — often the reason a text sounds a warning. It is central (中): the middle line of its trigram, the position the commentaries read as balanced and most favourable.
Chinese text: the received Zhouyi (Wuyingdian lineage). English: James Legge, The Yî King, Sacred Books of the East XVI, 1882 (public domain).