I Ching Hexagram 9 - Small Restraint
Description and interpretations of I Ching (Yijing) hexagram 9 "Small Restraint"
小畜 - Xiǎo Xù
Phong Thiên Tiểu Súc
Small Restraint
Upper (Outer) Trigram: ☴ Xun, Wind
Lower (Inner) Trigram: ☰ Qian, Heaven
Other Titles: The Taming Power of the Small, The Symbol of Small restraint, The Lesser Nourisher, Taming the Small Powers, Small Accumulating, Small Harvest, Small Obstruction, Passive Restraint, Nurturance by the Small, Restraint by the Weak, Restrained, Minor Restraint, The Weak Force, The Force of the Small, Weak Forces Restrain Strong Forces.
English Translations & Interpretations
The Judgement
Wilhelm/Baynes: The Taming Power of the Small has success. Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
Legge: Passive Restraint brings about progress and success. We see dense clouds, but no rain coming from our western borders.
Blofeld: The Lesser Nourisher. Success! Dense clouds giving forth no rain approach from the western outskirts. [On the whole, this hexagram presages good for us. The wind blowing across the heavens does not have the nourishing virtues of rain, but it refreshes us and makes us feel better. Thus, if things are going reasonably well with us, we may expect an improvement, especially in the future when, presumably, the nourishing rain will fall. However, as lines three and six indicate, if we are in serious trouble, we must not expect much help from the rather mild good fortune that is blowing our way. The conception of something weak or yielding bringing great benefit has been greatly developed by the Taoists who, as though they were familiar with judo, recognize the strength to be found in softness and the dangerous weakness sometimes occasioned by too much strength. The name of this hexagram understood somewhat differently may also be taken to mean that the time is propitious for undertaking additional activity or the care of the young.]
Liu: Taming the Small Powers: success. Thick clouds come from the west. No rain. [This situation symbolizes the preparation which precedes a new development.]
Shaughnessy: Small Harvest:Receipt; dense clouds do not rain from our western pasture.
Cleary (1): Nurturance by the small is developmental. Dense clouds do not rain, proceeding from one’s own western province.
Cleary (2): At small obstruction, nurturing the small succeeds… (etc.)
Wu: Restraint of the Small indicates pervasiveness. There are dense clouds, but no rain coming from our western countryside.
The Image
Wilhelm/Baynes: The wind drives across heaven: the image of The Taming Power of the Small. Thus the superior man refines the outward aspect of his nature.
Legge: The image of the sky with the wind moving above it forms Passive Restraint. The superior man, in accordance with this, adorns the outward manifestation of his virtue.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes wind blowing across the sky. The Superior Man displays his scholarly accomplishments.
Liu: The wind blows across the sky, symbolizing Taming the Small Powers. The superior man improves his ability and virtue.
Cleary (1): Wind blowing up in the sky is small nurturance; thus do superior people beautify cultured qualities.
Cleary (2): Wind moving up in the sky, nurturing the small. Thus do leaders beautify cultured qualities.
Wu: The wind blows in the sky above; this is Restraint of the Small. Thus the jun zi refines his splendorous virtue.
Line 1
初 九 : 復 自 道 , 何 其 咎 ? 吉 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: Return to the way. How could there be blame in this? Good fortune.
Legge: The first line, dynamic, shows its subject returning and pursuing his own course. What mistake should he fall into? There will be good fortune.
Blofeld: How could returning to this path be blameworthy?
Liu: Return to the correct way. Then how can one be blamed? It is good fortune.
Shaughnessy: Returning from the way, what could its trouble be? Auspicious.
Cleary: Returning by the path – how could that be blameworthy? It bodes well.
Wu: By returning to his own course, how can he be blamed? It will be auspicious.
Line 2
九 二 : 牽 復 , 吉 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: He allows himself to be drawn into returning. Good fortune.
Legge: The second line, dynamic, shows its subject, by the attraction of the former line, returning to the proper course. There will be good fortune.
Blofeld: Compelling ourselves to go back brings good fortune.
Liu: One is influenced to return to the correct way. Good fortune.
Shaughnessy: A firm return; auspicious.
Cleary: Leading back bodes well.
Wu: Returning to his own course through association will be auspicious.
Line 3
九 三 : 輿 說 輻 , 夫 妻 反 目 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels. Man and wife roll their eyes.
Legge: The third line, dynamic, 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.
Blofeld: The chariot is separated from the spoked wheel. Husband and wife stand glaring at each other.
Liu: The wheels separate from the wagon. Husband and wife are in disharmony.
Shaughnessy: The cart throws its axle-strut; the husband and consort cross eyes.
Cleary: The wheels are detached from the cart. Husband and wife look away from each other.
Wu: The wooden pieces holding the axle firmly underneath a carriage come off. The husband and wife look at each other with averted eyes.
Line 4
六 四 : 有 孚 , 血 去, 惕 出 ． 无 咎 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: If you are sincere, blood vanishes and fear gives way. No blame.
Legge: The fourth line, magnetic, shows its subject possessed of sincerity. The danger of bloodshed is thereby averted, and her ground for apprehension dismissed. There will be no mistake.
Blofeld: Owing to confidence, bloody and terrible deeds are avoided -- no error.
Liu: If you are forthright, bloodshed and fear vanish; no blame.
Shaughnessy: There is a return; blood departs, warily exiting; there is no trouble.
Cleary: If there is truthfulness, blood goes and fear leaves, and there is no fault.
Wu: There is self-confidence. Blood vanishes and vigilance diminishes. There will be no blame.
Line 5
九 五 : 有 孚, 攣 如 ． 富 以 其 鄰 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: If you are sincere and loyally attached, you are rich in your neighbor.
Legge: The fifth line, dynamic, shows its subject possessed of sincerity, and drawing others to unite with him. Rich in resources, he employs his neighbors in the same cause with himself.
Blofeld: Confidence is like a cord to bind the hearts of others. With it we enrich our neighbors.
Liu: If you are sincere you will be enriched by your neighbor.
Shaughnessy: Losing sheep at Yi; there is no regret.
Cleary: There is truthfulness in companionship; prosperity is shared with the neighbor.
Wu: Association strengthens self-confidence. With wealth, he is capable of reaching out to help his neighbors.
Line 6
上 九 : 既 雨, 既 處 , 尚 德 載 ． 婦 貞 厲 ． 月 幾 望 , 君 子 征 凶 ．
Wilhelm/Baynes: 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.
Legge: The sixth line, dynamic, shows how the rain has fallen, and the onward progress is stayed; so must we value the full accumulation of the virtue of humble service. But a wife exercising restraint, however firm and correct she may be, is in the position of peril, and like the moon approaching to the full. If the superior man prosecutes his measures in such circumstances, there will be evil.
Blofeld: The rains are falling and a time of rest has come. Virtue continues to increase. At this moment, persistence would bring serious trouble to women. Were the Superior Man to venture forth at the time of the full moon, he would be courting calamity.
Liu: It is raining; one can rest, respected for one's virtues. Continuing to hesitate like a woman brings danger; the moon is almost full. If the superior man sets forth, misfortune.
Shaughnessy: Having rained and having stopped, he still gets to ride; for a maiden to determine is auspicious; the moon is almost full; for the gentleman to be upright is inauspicious.
Cleary: It has rained and settled. Esteeming virtue, putting the wife on top, though she be chaste there is danger. The moon is almost full; it bodes ill for the superior person to go on an expedition.
Wu: The rain has come and it has brought comfort to people. Those who are virtuous deserve it. The woman is in a difficult situation despite her proper conduct. The moon is almost full. It will be foreboding for the jun zi to be venturesome.
Notes
For an in-depth glossary of I Ching, click here.
Hexagram 9. The prospect of success is signaled, but no major moves can be made now. You want to advance, but this is not in harmony with the moment. Obstacles remain in your way.
Remain patient and prepare the foundation for the changes that are on their way. Your patience will be rewarded, so do not force any issues now. Hold back, so you can avoid needless conflict. Return to a position where you are free to advance or retreat. Good fortune will follow.
Be content with what you have achieved. Any further advancement will bring misfortune.
