I Ching 37.4 - The Family, Line 4

Hexagram 37, Line 4

The Family (家人)

Hexagram Symbol

六四:富家

The Line Text

六四:富家,大吉。

Sixth at the fourth place: She enriches the family. Great good fortune.

The Commentary says: The commentary says: "She enriches the family, great good fortune," because she is compliant and in her proper place.

Interpretation

This line represents a position of significant responsibility within the family or group structure. The fourth place is that of the minister or a senior manager, and being a yin line, it often symbolizes the senior woman of the household—perhaps the daughter-in-law or a capable household manager—who is in charge of the family's practical well-being and wealth. She is in the upper trigram, Wind (巽), which represents a gentle, penetrating influence. Her position is technically "incorrect" (a yin line in a yang place), which could suggest a potential for conflict. However, in the context of the Family, her yielding and compliant nature (順, shùn), as noted in the commentary, perfectly suits her role. She does not challenge the authority of the fifth line (the head of the household) but instead dedicates herself to her duties. Her focus is on managing resources, maintaining order, and creating abundance. By fulfilling her role with diligence and without seeking personal glory, she brings prosperity and stability to the entire system. This selfless and effective management leads to "Great good fortune," not just for herself, but for the whole family. Her value is demonstrated through her tangible contributions.

Guidance for Action

Your current position allows you to create significant value and prosperity for your group, whether it's your family, company, or community. Focus on your specific duties and responsibilities, particularly those related to management, organization, and resource administration. Your strength lies in your ability to be a capable and reliable steward. Do not be concerned with being the ultimate authority or the one in the spotlight. Instead, embrace a supportive role and work diligently behind the scenes. Your competence and dedication will not go unnoticed; they will be the very source of great success and abundance for everyone involved, including yourself. Fulfilling your role with grace and skill is the key to achieving "great good fortune."

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line indicates a period of building a stable and prosperous life together. One partner, likely you if you received this line, takes on the role of managing the household and its practical affairs with great skill. Your focus should be on creating a secure, comfortable, and well-organized home environment. This is not about a power imbalance, but about a harmonious division of roles where your contribution is the bedrock of the couple's shared wealth and happiness. By managing the day-to-day aspects of your shared life effectively, you enrich the relationship on every level. This practical care and diligence is a profound expression of love that leads to great joy and long-term stability.

For Career & Business

This is an exceptionally positive line for a career reading, especially if you are in a management, administrative, or senior support role (e.g., COO, project manager, senior associate). Your current task is to manage your department or projects in a way that brings wealth and efficiency to the entire organization. Focus on sound financial management, optimizing processes, and supporting your team and superiors. Your ability to run your domain smoothly and profitably is your greatest asset. Do not strive to usurp your boss's authority; instead, make them and the company successful through your competence. This will lead to significant recognition, reward, and "great good fortune" for your career path.

For Financial Matters

This line is a clear and powerful omen of increasing wealth and financial prosperity. The words "Enriches the family" point directly to a time of significant material gain. This fortune is not won by chance or risky speculation, but through prudent, diligent, and skillful management of your resources. This is the time to focus on budgeting, wise investments, and organizing your finances for long-term growth and stability. Your careful stewardship will pay off handsomely, leading to a state of abundance and security. It affirms that your current financial strategies are sound or that adopting a more organized, managerial approach to your money will lead to "great good fortune."

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