Hexagram 37: The Household
Outer trigram (upper)
Tốn
Wind · Wood
Inner trigram (lower)
Ly
Fire · Fire
Judgment
家人：利女貞.
Translation
The Family: it is favorable for the woman to hold to what is correct.
Commentary
Xun above represents wind, Li below represents fire. Wind rises from fire — fire generates wind — symbolizing a harmonious family. Line 2, yin, holds both the center and the correct position (the wife following the proper way); line 5, yang, holds both the center and the correct position (the husband following the proper way). The family has a clear order between those above and those below.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yang)
初九：閑有家，悔亡.
Translation
Guarding against trouble from the very start of the household; regret vanishes.
Commentary
Line 1, yang, holds the correct position. Guarding against trouble from the outset — setting household rules as soon as the family is formed — causes regret to disappear.
Line 2 (yin)
六二：无攸遂，在中饋，貞吉.
Translation
Seeking no success of her own, she stays within to manage the meals; holding to what is correct brings good fortune.
Commentary
Line 2, yin, holds both the center and the correct position, tending to the kitchen and household matters without seeking success of her own — this is the virtue of a good wife.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：家人嗃嗃，悔厲，吉．婦子嘻嘻，終吝.
Translation
The household is run with strictness; though there is some regret and danger, it turns out well. If wife and children only laugh and play, regret follows in the end.
Commentary
Line 3, yang, is off-center and overly strict. Though this brings some regret, maintaining household discipline still turns out well. But letting wife and children indulge freely in laughter and play leads to regret later.
Line 4 (yin)
六四：富家，大吉.
Translation
Enriching the family; very good fortune.
Commentary
Line 4, yin, holds the correct position and sits close to line 5 (the head of the household). Knowing how to help her husband build the family's prosperity through virtue, this is very good.
Line 5 (yang)
九五：王假有家，勿恤，吉.
Translation
The king extends himself to the family, his virtue spreading outward; no need for worry — good fortune.
Commentary
Line 5, yang, holds the central, correct position at the place of honor. The family's virtue is so admirable that even the king takes notice of it. There is nothing to worry about — good fortune.
Line 6 (yang)
上九：有孚，威如，終吉.
Translation
Sincere and trustworthy, dignified in bearing; good fortune in the end.
Commentary
Line 6, yang, at the very top, represents the father (or grandfather) of the household. With genuine sincerity and dignified authority, the family ultimately flourishes.