Ninth Hexagram : The Wisdom of Small Taming

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the ninth hexagram of the I Ching, Xiao Chu (小畜), which symbolizes 'The Taming Power of the Small' or 'Small Accumulating'. It represents wind over heaven, like gentle winds gathering clouds without yet bringing rain, emphasizing subtle influence, gradual accumulation, and restraint in small matters. The hexagram statement is: "Xiao Chu: The Taming Power of the Small. Success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

 

부드러운 바람, 모이는 구름

 

짙은 구름이 모여들었지만, 아무리 기다려도 비 한 방울 떨어지지 않았습니다. 하늘은 지쳐 길을 잃고 헤매었지만, 이내 진정한 길을 찾아 돌아왔습니다.

 

사람들은 그를 비난하지 않았습니다. 오히려 그의 끈기와 노력은 마을에 행운을 가져다주었습니다. 부드러운 바람이 그의 뺨을 스치고, 동료들이 그를 따뜻하게 맞이했습니다.

 

행운을 안고 그는 다시 여행에 합류했습니다. 이제 그는 달래라는 아름다운 아내와 함께였습니다. 그들은 희망찬 마음으로 새로운 길을 나섰습니다.

 

그러나 행복도 잠시, 그들의 마차 바퀴살이 뚝 부러져 더 이상 앞으로 나아갈 수 없게 되었습니다. 작은 좌절 속에서 하늘과 달래는 서로를 보며 한숨을 쉬었습니다.

 

마차를 고치려다 하늘은 손에 작은 상처를 입었습니다. 피가 났지만, 달래가 정성껏 치료해주자 두려움은 사라지고 상처는 아물었습니다. 그들은 함께 역경을 이겨냈습니다.

 

그들의 충성스러운 마음은 이웃들의 도움을 불러왔습니다. 이웃들은 기꺼이 마차를 고치는 것을 도왔고, 그들은 가진 자원을 풍부하게 나누며 함께 어려움을 극복했습니다.

 

마침내 하늘에서 기다리던 비가 내리기 시작했습니다. 메마른 땅을 적시는 시원한 빗줄기는 그들의 인내와 노력이 결실을 맺었음을 알렸습니다.

 

그러나 달래는 거의 보름달 아래에서 너무 오랫동안 서 있었습니다. 현자 할머니는 그녀의 얼굴을 보고 걱정스러운 표정을 지었습니다.

 

현자는 더 이상 고집하면 불행이 닥칠 것이라고 조용히 일러주었습니다. 달래는 현자의 지혜로운 말에 고개를 끄덕였고, 그들은 함께 집으로 향했습니다.

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Nine): Return to the way. How could there be blame in this? Good fortune.

This line advises returning to one's proper path after a small deviation, leading to success. Matching part in the tale: "At the outset, he strayed but returned to his true path; how could there be blame? It brought good fortune." This symbolizes correcting minor errors gently. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram first line: "The first NINE, undivided, shows its subject returning and pursuing his own course. What mistake should he fall into? There will be good fortune."

Second Line (Nine in the Second Place): He allows himself to be drawn into returning. Good fortune.

This line suggests being influenced back to harmony, yielding positive outcomes. Matching part in the tale: "Drawn back by gentle winds and companions, he rejoined the journey with good fortune." Subtle pull restores balance. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram second line: "The second NINE, undivided, shows its subject drawn forward (by the occupant of the trigram above). There will be good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing a traveler drawn back by winds and companions for good fortune, representing Xiao Chu hexagram second line: harmonious return, windy plains scene with gathering figures, earthy tones with soft yellows for influence."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes.

This line warns of small obstacles causing discord and halt in progress. Matching part in the tale: "But the wagon's spokes burst, halting progress; the man and his wife rolled their eyes in frustration amid the small setbacks." Minor accumulations lead to tension. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram third line: "The third NINE, undivided, suggests the idea of a carriage, the strap beneath which has been removed, or of a husband and wife looking on each other with averted eyes."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating a wagon with burst spokes and a couple rolling eyes in frustration, embodying Xiao Chu hexagram third line: small obstacles causing discord, halted journey on plains with clouds, intense browns and grays for tension."

Fourth Line (Six in the Fourth Place): If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way. No blame.

This line indicates sincerity dissolving dangers and fears without fault. Matching part in the tale: "With sincerity, blood from minor wounds vanished, and fears gave way, without blame as they mended together." Truth tames small perils. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram fourth line: "The fourth SIX, divided, shows its subject having sincerity. The danger of bloodshed is thereby averted, and his (ground for) apprehension dismissed. There will be no error."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying sincerity making blood and fear vanish without blame, symbolizing Xiao Chu hexagram fourth line: taming dangers gently, mending scene under windy skies, serene reds fading to calm blues for resolution."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): If you are sincere and loyally attached, You are rich in your neighbor.

This line represents sincere bonds enriching mutual support. Matching part in the tale: "In loyal attachment, he found richness in his neighbor's support, sharing resources abundantly." Faithful unions accumulate wealth. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram fifth line: "The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subject possessed of sincerity, and drawing others to unite with him. Rich is such a one in his neighbour."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing sincere loyal attachment enriching neighbors, representing Xiao Chu hexagram fifth line: mutual abundance in union, sharing scene in valley with winds, warm golds and greens for prosperity."

Top Line (Nine at the Top): The rain comes, there is rest. This is due to the lasting effect of character. Perseverance brings the woman into danger. The moon is nearly full. If the superior man persists, Misfortune comes.

This line describes culmination bringing rest, but over-persistence leads to danger. Matching part in the tale: "Finally, the rain came, bringing rest due to accumulated character. But the woman persevered too long under the nearly full moon; the superior man knew persisting further would bring misfortune." Know when to stop after accumulation. Annotation: I Ching Xiao Chu hexagram top line: "The topmost NINE, undivided, shows how the rain has fallen, and the (onward progress) is stayed;—(so) must we value the full accumulation of the virtue (represented). But a wife (exercising restraint), however firm and correct she may be, is in a position of peril, (and like) the moon approaching to the full. If the superior man prosecute his measures (in such circumstances), there will be evil."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting rain bringing rest but over-persistence under full moon leading to misfortune, symbolizing Xiao Chu hexagram sixth line: culmination and caution, rainy plains with moonlit figures, mysterious silvers and purples for transition."

This blog should make the six lines of Xiao Chu hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~