Structure, Ethics, and Ontology of the Jiaren (Family) Hexagram in the Zhouyi
This article offers a deep exploration of the philosophical significance of Hexagram 37 'Jiaren' (Family) in the Zhouyi (Book of Changes), analyzing the relationship between the Wind-over-Fire trigram image and the Way of the family, and elucidating the foundational status of 'family' in ancient social structures through pre-Qin Confucian thought on 'roots' (ben) as found in Confucius, Mencius, and the Great Learning.
Chapter Fourteen: The Connection Between the Jiaren and Mingyi Hexagrams
"One who is injured abroad must return to the family" -- "family" is a person's ultimate safe harbor. The Shijing, "Binfeng," "Dong Shan," describes a soldier returning home after years of absence, finding the home overgrown yet still feeling "it was endearing."
Both Mingyi and Jiaren contain the Li (fire) trigram, but in different environments: under Kun (darkness), light is suppressed; under Xun (gentleness), light can freely exercise its instructive function. "Family" provides a space in which light can shine freely.