Hsiao Ch'u / The Taming Power of the Small
above: Sun The Gentle, Wind
below: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
This hexagram means the force of the small--the power of the
shadowy--that restrains, tames, impedes. A weak line in the fourth
place, that of the minister, holds the five strong lines in check. In
the Image it is the wind blowing across the sky. The wind restrains the
clouds, the rising breath of the Creative, and makes them grow dense,
but as yet is not strong enough to turn them to rain. The hexagram
presents a configuration of circumstances in which a strong element is
temporarily held in leash by a weak element. It is only through
gentleness that this can have a successful outcome.
The Judgement
THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL
Has success.
Dense clouds, no rain from our western region.
This image refers to the state of affairs in China at the time when
King Wên, who came originally from the west, was in the east at
the court of the reigning tyrant Chou Hsin. The moment for action on a
large scale had not yet arrived. King Wên could only keep the
tyrant somewhat in check by friendly persuasion. Hence the image of
many clouds, promising moisture and blessing to the land, although as
yet no rain falls. The situation is not unfavorable; there is a
prospect of ultimate success, but there are still obstacles in the way,
and we can merely take preparatory measures. Only through the small
means of friendly persuasion can we exert any influence. The time has
not yet come for sweeping measures. However, we may be able, to a
limited extent, to act as a restraining and subduing influence. To
carry out our purpose we need firm determination within and gentleness
and adaptability in external relations.
The Image
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.
The wind can indeed drive the clouds together in the sky; yet, being
nothing but air, without solid body, it does not produce great or
lasting effects. So also an individual, in times when he can produce no
great effect in the outer world, can do nothing except refine the
expression of his nature in small ways.