17. Following (随)

Line 3

If this line changes it transforms into 49. Revolution (Molting) (革)

Modern reading

Six in the Third Place turns away from petty comforts to follow mature strength above, accepting the necessary sacrifice of lesser ties. Maintaining moral constancy suggests that deliberate, upward alignment can yield fruitful outcomes.

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I Ching / BaZi reading request (from eastalmanac.com).
Page: Hexagram 17 随 — Line 3.
Interpret through classical principles in two layers: 1) Structural Evidence: identify key line dynamics, changing line pivot, or element balance. 2) Actionable Verdict: direct answer to the inquiry in plain language, followed by 2–3 concrete next steps (action-verb first) and mindful cautions. Grounded wisdom for self-reflection. Source page:
https://eastalmanac.com/yijing/17/3

I Ching casting

Positioned at the peak of the lower trigram, Six in the Third Place releases its connection to the lower line to attach itself to Nine in the Fourth Place, transforming into Hexagram 49 (Revolution).

The classical record reflects this shift through clinging to the mature man and losing the boy, indicating a purposeful departure from the inferior toward substantive capability.

Though shifting allegiances requires shedding old habits, staying rooted in ethical integrity makes what is sought likely to progress naturally.

Career

Professional advancement here requires shedding outgrown associations and deliberately partnering with experienced, high-caliber mentors.

The Xiaoxiang commentary affirms that yielding what is below reflects a conscious aspiration toward broader development and higher responsibility. Choosing to align with leaders who challenge and elevate your capabilities paves the way for lasting recognition.

Love & relationships

This line signifies personal maturation in romance, where one moves beyond adolescent drama to embrace an emotionally grounded, reciprocal bond. Traditional readings regard this transition as a deliberate pursuit of stability, even if it requires closing the door on past habits.

Investing your energy in a partner of substance and shared vision fosters genuine emotional security.

Wealth

Managing financial resources under this line calls for shedding stagnant, low-value commitments to allocate focus toward robust, enduring prospects. The classical yaoci indicates that seeking what is worthy can yield benefit when anchored in constancy.

Pruning unprofitable ventures to concentrate on disciplined, high-value endeavors sets a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

References

Original text

Line statement

3. 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.

Small Image

‘He cleaves to the man of age and experience:’—by the decision of his will, he abandons (the youth) below.

Classical commentary

Yichuan YizhuanLine statement

The mature man is Nine in the Fourth Place; the young boy is the initial line. A yang line residing above is a mature man; one dwelling below is a young boy.

Although the third line shares the same trigram body with the initial line, it is adjacent to the fourth; therefore it attaches to the fourth. In general, yin and yielding cannot stand on their own, and always cleave closely to what is near.

Attaching above to the fourth, it consequently loses the initial line below; abandoning the initial line to follow the upper attains the propriety of following.

Following what is above is good: like darkness following brightness, or serving following goodness, this is following what is above. Turning one's back on what is right to follow what is wrong, or abandoning brightness to pursue darkness, this is following what is below.

The fourth line also has no resonance and no one following it; gaining the close following of the third, it will surely be intimate and friendly with it. Therefore, when the third follows the fourth, whatever it seeks it will obtain.

When a person follows a superior and the superior favors him, he attains what he seeks; moreover, whatever is sought can be obtained.

Even so, one must certainly not distort principle or bend the Way to follow the superior, seeking favor merely to satisfy desires; acting thus is the depraved, flattering, profit-seeking conduct of a petty person. Hence it says 'advantageous to abide in perseverance.'

Keeping oneself upright, what is sought and obtained will be proper matters, the following of a gentleman. The Xiang says: Cleaving to the mature man, the resolve abandons what is below. Having followed what is above, its resolve abandons what is below and does not follow it.

Abandoning what is below to follow what is above, abandoning the lowly to follow the exalted, is good in following.

Zhouyi ZhuLine statement

The nature of yin, dwelling in an age of following, cannot stand independently; it must attach itself to something. Although belonging to the lower trigram, the second line has already occupied the initial line; whereto could the third attach?

Therefore it abandons the initial line and attaches to the fourth, its aspiration set upon the 'mature man.'

The fourth line likewise lacks a resonance and also desires the third's following; following it, the third attains what it seeks; hence it says 'following brings attainment of what is sought.'

Its resonance is not correct; attaching to someone in this way, how could it act recklessly? Hence 'it is advantageous to abide in perseverance.' The initial line is below it and the fourth line is above it; hence it says 'cleaving to the mature man, one loses the young boy.'

Zhouyi ZhuSmall Image

'Below' refers to the initial line.

Zhouyi ZhengyiLine statement

From 'Six in the Third Place cleaves to the mature man' to 'advantageous to abide in perseverance.' The Zhengyi commentary states: Six in the Third Place, being yin and yielding, is close to Nine in the Fourth Place, which is cleaving to the 'mature man.'

Since Nine at the Beginning is already occupied by Six in the Second Place, Six in the Third Place cannot go to follow it, which is 'losing the young boy.'

'Following brings attainment of what is sought' means that the third goes to follow the fourth, and the fourth likewise has no other resonance. When oneself goes to follow the fourth, the fourth cannot reject oneself; thus in what the third follows, whatever it seeks is obtained.

'Advantageous to abide in perseverance' means that since one's own standing is not proper, in attaching to another one must not move recklessly; advantage lies solely in dwelling together and maintaining correctness, hence 'advantageous to abide in perseverance.'

Regarding the note 'The fourth line likewise lacks a resonance' to 'the young boy': The Zhengyi commentary states: 'The fourth line likewise lacks a resonance' means that since the third has no resonance, and the fourth also has no resonance, both the fourth and third lack resonance.

Here, Six in the Second Place and Six in the Third Place make use of the images of yin and yang, adopting the mature man and the young boy to illustrate human affairs; there is no other meaning.

Zhouyi ZhengyiSmall Image

The Zhengyi commentary states: Explaining the meaning of 'cleaving to the mature man.' Six in the Third Place having cleaved to the 'mature man' of Nine in the Fourth Place, its intention is to abandon the initial nine below.