Hexagram 37
Upper · Xùn (Wind) | Lower · Lí (Fire)
Family · household order · roles · right relationship · inner harmony · communication
Hexagram 37, Jiā Rén (家人), is about family, household order, and roles. The foundation of a well-ordered household rests on each member fulfilling their proper place and duty.
For the regulation of the family, the wife's firmness and correctness are most advantageous.
The foundation of a well-ordered household rests on each member fulfilling their proper place and duty. When a family stands firm in its principles, the kingdom finds stability, and from that stability flows peace throughout the realm.
Establishing restrictive regulations in the household; occasion for repentance will disappear.
Set clear boundaries and expectations from the start, and regret will not take root. A family that establishes order early avoids the troubles that come from neglect.
Taking nothing on herself, attending to the preparation of food in her central place; through firm correctness there will be good fortune.
Fulfilling your role with quiet dedication brings blessing. When you remain true to your sphere and do it well, harmony naturally follows.
Treating the members of the household with stern severity; there will be occasion for repentance and peril, but also good fortune. If the wife and children were smirking and chattering, in the end there would be occasion for regret.
Firmness in discipline is necessary, though it may bring strain; laxity and frivolity lead only to shame. The balance between structure and warmth determines the family's fate.
Enriching the family; there will be great good fortune.
Building a secure material foundation for those you care for brings lasting blessing. Prosperity that serves the household's wellbeing is a worthy aim.
The influence of the king extending to his family; there need be no anxiety; there will be good fortune.
When the head of the household leads with integrity and virtue, harmony flows naturally without force. Trust and confidence replace worry.
Possessed of sincerity and arrayed in majesty; in the end there will be good fortune.
Authority grounded in genuine care and trustworthiness creates lasting respect. When conviction and dignity work together, all ends well.
Bring the same clarity of role and commitment to your workplace as you would to your home. Seek positions where you can contribute meaningfully within your sphere, and help build a team culture rooted in trust. A stable personal foundation strengthens your professional presence.
Honor each other's distinct gifts and responsibilities rather than blurring boundaries. Build your bond on mutual respect, clear communication, and the willingness to show up fully in your role. True partnership means supporting one another's growth while maintaining your own integrity.
A supportive home environment is your greatest asset in learning. If family tensions exist, address them first—peace at home clears the mind for study. Seek mentors and study groups that feel like family, where you belong and can thrive.
Cultivate internal order and clear role definition within your organization. Build a culture where people feel they belong, where loyalty and shared purpose matter. Prosperity comes not from rigid control but from genuine care for those who work alongside you.
Beware of swinging between extremes—neither tyrannical control nor careless permissiveness serves the family well. Seek the middle path where firmness and warmth coexist. Remember that rules without compassion breed resentment, while kindness without structure invites chaos.
Read the line statement for each changing line above. With two or more changing lines, Zhu Xi’s rules decide which text leads the reading.
Original English translation by James Legge, 1882 (Public Domain). Editorial adaptation © Yijing.