Hexagram 37: The Family

Structure of the sign

The hexagram represents the laws prevailing within the family. The uppermost strong line represents the father, the lowest the son; the fifth strong line represents the husband, the second yielding line the wife. On the other hand, the two strong lines in the fifth and third places represent two brothers, and the corresponding weak lines in the fourth and second places their wives, so that all relationships and connections within the family find their essential expression. Each individual line has the nature corresponding to its place. That in the sixth place, where one might expect a weak line, there is nevertheless a strong line, indicates most clearly the strong authority that must emanate from the head of the family. The line is considered here not in its quality as the sixth, but as the uppermost. The Family shows the laws effective within the house, which, transferred outward, keep state and world in order. The influence working from within the family to the outside is represented under the image of wind generated by fire.

The Judgment

The Family. The perseverance of the woman furthers. The foundation of the family is the relationship between husband and wife. The bond that holds the family together lies in the fidelity and perseverance of the woman. Her place is within (second line), the man's place without (fifth line). That man and wife occupy their rightful places conforms to the great laws of nature. In the family there is need of a firm authority: this is the parents. When the father is truly father and the son son, when the elder brother fulfills his place as elder brother and the younger his place as younger brother, when the husband is truly husband and the wife wife, then the family is in order. When the family is in order, all the social relations of mankind come into order. Of the five social relationships, three lie within the family: that between father and son—love; between husband and wife—propriety; between elder and younger brother—order. The loving reverence of the son is then transferred further to the prince as fidelity to duty, and the order and affection of brothers to the friend as loyalty, and the relationship to superiors as subordination. The family is the germ cell of society, the natural soil upon which the exercise of moral duties is made easier through natural affection, so that within the narrow circle the foundation is created from which they are then transferred to human relations in general.

The Image

Wind comes forth from fire: the image of The Family. Thus the superior man has substance in his words and duration in his way of life. Heat generates power; this is signified by the wind that is kindled by fire and comes forth from it. This is influence from within outward. Exactly the same is necessary in the regulation of the family. Here too the influence must proceed from one's own person to others. In order to exert such an influence, words must have power; this they can have only when they rest on something real, just as the flame rests upon fuel. Only when words are matter-of-fact, relating clearly to definite circumstances, do they have influence. General speeches and admonitions are completely ineffective. Furthermore, words must be supported by one's entire conduct, just as the wind acts through its duration. Only firm, consistent action will make such an impression on others that they can adapt themselves to it and conform to it. If word and conduct are not in harmony and consistent, the effect fails to appear.

The lines