Hexagram 37 · 家人 · Jiā Rén
The Family
- Element:
- Wind over Fire
- Key themes:
- family, harmony, unity, responsibility, support
Image
Wind above fire, symbolizing the warmth and harmony of family life.
Overall message
Hexagram 37 represents the concept of family and harmony. It emphasizes the importance of unity, responsibility, and mutual support within the family. Success comes from maintaining strong family bonds and fostering a harmonious environment.
Focus on fostering harmony and unity within your family. Act with responsibility and support. Success comes from maintaining strong family bonds and mutual support.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. For (the realisation of what is taught in) Kiâ Zăn, (or for the regulation of the family), what is most advantageous is that the wife be firm and correct.
Image. (The trigram representing) fire, and that for wind coming forth from it, form Kiâ Zăn. The superior man, in accordance with this, orders his words according to (the truth of) things, and his conduct so that it is uniformly consistent.
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · Completion of Harmony
The period of family harmony is complete. Reflect on the journey and prepare for the future.
Reflect on the experience and learn from it. Prepare for future family harmony.
Line 5 · Leadership in Family
Strong leadership enhances family harmony and unity.
Lead with wisdom and responsibility. Ensure the well-being of the family.
Line 4 · Strengthening Bonds
Family bonds are strengthened through shared responsibilities.
Share responsibilities and support each other. Strengthen family bonds.
Line 3 · Overcoming Conflicts
Conflicts may arise, but they can be overcome with understanding.
Resolve conflicts with understanding and patience. Maintain harmony.
Line 2 · Building Unity
Unity is built through mutual respect and support.
Focus on building unity within the family. Mutual respect is key.
Line 1 · Initial Harmony
The beginning of a period of family harmony. Be open and supportive.
Start with a positive and supportive attitude. Build strong family bonds.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 40 · 解 · Xiè. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 64 · 未济 · Wèi Jì. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 53 · 渐 · Jiàn
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 9 · 小畜 · Xiǎo Chù
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 42 · 益 · Yì
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 13 · 同人 · Tóng Rén
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 22 · 贲 · Bì
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 63 · 既济 · Jì Jì