Jia Ren
䷤ Li below, Xun above
The Book of Changes
The Family Hexagram: It is beneficial for a woman to maintain steadfastness.
First Nine: Take precautions within the home; regret vanishes.
Six Second: Do not seek achievements; merely manage the household’s food and drink. Steadfastness brings good fortune.
Nine Third: When family members reprimand sternly, there is regret and danger, yet ultimately good fortune; if women and children laugh and jest without restraint, trouble will eventually arise.
Six Fourth: Enrich the family; this is supremely auspicious.
Nine Fifth: The sovereign comes to the home. There is no cause for worry. Good fortune.
Top Nine: With sincerity and dignity, ultimate good fortune.
The Commentary on the Judgment says:
In the Family hexagram, the woman occupies the proper position within the inner chamber, and the man takes the proper position in external affairs. When man and woman each fulfill their correct roles, this embodies the great principle of heaven and earth. The family must have a respected head—this refers to father and mother. Let the father fulfill the father’s duty, the son the son’s duty, the elder brother the elder brother’s duty, the younger brother the younger brother’s duty, the husband the husband’s duty, and the wife the wife’s duty; then the family way is rectified. When the family way is rectified, the world is settled.
The Commentary on the Images says:
Wind arises from fire—this is the image of the Family hexagram. The noble person, observing this, understands that speech must have substance and actions must be consistent.
“Take precautions within the home” means the will has not yet changed.
The good fortune of the Six Second is due to gentleness and humility.
“When family members reprimand sternly,” the family way is not yet lost; “if women and children laugh and jest without restraint,” the family’s discipline is lost.
“Enrich the family; this is supremely auspicious” because it follows obedience and occupies the proper position.
“The sovereign comes to the home” signifies mutual affection.
“Dignity brings good fortune” refers to turning back to examine oneself.