Hexagram 37 of 64
家人 Jiā Rén · The Family
上 巽 Wind (Xùn) over 下 離 Fire (Lí)
Finish the small task at home.
Judgment
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, judgment. English translation in preparation.
Image
In short: wind rises from fire.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, Great Image. Short gloss by Koyonari; full translation in preparation.
Commentary
Jiā Rén is wind rising from fire: fire ignites first, and wind generates from within. Jiā Rén speaks of starting from the interior: finish the smallest chore at home, and external matters often loosen in response. Inner order spreads outward, while outward order rarely penetrates within.
Koyonari commentary.
The Six Lines
“Setting boundaries for the household. Remorse disappears.” Xián means taking precautions and setting limits. Establishing household rules from the outset prevents disorder and allows regret to disappear; this is the meaning of 'regret vanishes.' The first yang line emphasizes having precautions in place from the outset of household affairs.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 1. Koyonari translation.
“Barring the household: the will has not yet changed.” The Line Image explains 'barring the household.' 'Barring' means setting preventative bounds. Household order requires rules from the start because family members' minds have not yet strayed, making prevention timely.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 2. Koyonari translation.
“Nothing to pursue abroad; attending to nourishment within. Perseverance brings good fortune.” Instead of pursuing accomplishments on one's own authority, one provides food and nourishment at home: this is zhōng kuì. The second yin line describes women's duties in ancient households. 'Good fortune through steadfastness' means holding to the right course brings good fortune, emphasizing each person's fulfillment of their role.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 3. Koyonari translation.
“The good fortune of Six in the second place comes from being yielding and docile.” The Line Image explains why overseeing domestic affairs brings good fortune. Six in the second place holds central correctness, upholding yielding virtue, complying with household ways, and focusing on domestic provisions without willful action.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 4. Koyonari translation.
“The family is stern and severe: remorse and danger yield good fortune. Women and children giggle and play: in the end, regret.” Hè hè describes sternness. Managing a household too strictly brings regret and danger, yet the outcome can still be good fortune. If the wife and children do nothing but laugh and play, losing all sense of rules, humiliation will follow in the end. This line compares the consequences of severity and indulgence.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 5. Koyonari translation.
“When family members scold severely, nothing is lost; when women and children giggle, the family loses discipline.” The Line Image contrasts excessive strictness with laxity. Severe scolding (hèhè denotes strictness), though overly harsh, does not lose governance; careless giggling loses the household's proper moderation.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 6. Koyonari translation.
“Enriching the household. Great good fortune.” Making the household prosperous brings 'great good fortune,' meaning a very fortunate outcome. The fourth yin line occupies a yin position, yielding and correctly placed. It describes managing the household well and ensuring that its financial resources are sufficient.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 7. Koyonari translation.
“Enriching the home brings great good fortune; it is compliant and in its place.” The Line Image explains this fortune. Six in the fourth place is a yin line appropriately in a yin seat, compliantly serving Nine in the fifth place. Being compliant in place, it enriches the household with great good fortune.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 8. Koyonari translation.
“The king approaches his home. Do not worry. Good fortune.” Jiǎ here means reaching. The king achieves proper household governance, with no need for concern and good fortune as the outcome. 'Do not worry' means anxiety is unnecessary. The fifth yang line corresponds with the second yin line, emphasizing harmony between higher and lower household members, each in their proper role.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 9. Koyonari translation.
“The king approaches his household: they love one another mutually.” The Line Image explains 'the king approaches his household.' 'Approaches' (gé) means reaching; when a sovereign achieves domestic governance, all in the home love one another. Nine in the fifth place is firm, central, and honored, matching this meaning.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 10. Koyonari translation.
“There is sincerity and dignified majesty. Good fortune in the end.” Fú means sincerity and trustworthiness. Managing a household with both sincerity and a dignity that commands respect brings good fortune in the end. The top yang line stands at the end of Jiārén. It emphasizes that maintaining order in the household over time requires sincerity and dignity together.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 11. Koyonari translation.
“The good fortune of maintaining dignity means examining oneself.” The Line Image explains dignity securing good fortune. It refers to self-examination: only when one rectifies one's own speech and actions will family members genuinely submit with respect.
Zhouyi, hexagram 37, line 12. Koyonari translation.