An Analysis of the Structure, Ethics, and Ontology of the 'Jia Ren' Hexagram in the Zhou Yi

Section 5: Li as Eye, Xun as Wind: Perception and Education in the Family Way

The Shuo Gua Zhuan offers two other attributes of Li and Xun worth noting:

"Li is the eye."

"Xun is wind."

"Li is the eye"—the eye is the instrument of observation. Brightness ($\text{míng}$) is the capacity for contemplation. In the family, the "eye" symbolizes the parents' perception of the family situation, their observation of the children's behavior, and their ability to discern right from wrong. A good family first needs a "bright eye"—the ability to clearly see what is right and what is wrong, what needs encouragement, and what needs correction.

"Xun is wind"—wind is the image of moral education. In the Pre-Qin context, "wind" ($\text{fēng}$, 风) is closely related to "education" ($\text{jiào huà}$, 教化). The Mao Shi Xu states:

"'Wind' ($\text{fēng}$) means 'to move,' and also 'to teach.' Wind moves people, and teaching transforms them."

"The superior uses wind to transform the inferior; the inferior uses wind to satirize the superior."

"Wind" is a form of downward-flowing educational force. In the family, the words, actions, attitudes, and values of the parents blow upon the children like the wind, subtly influencing their development. The so-called "family atmosphere" ($\text{jiā fēng}$) uses "wind" as a metaphor for family education.

Combining "Li as Eye" and "Xun as Wind": First, there is the bright eye (Li), and then there is the wind of education (Xun). Without first being discerning, education lacks direction; without enacting education, clear perception is useless. Perception and education are the two wings of the Family Way; one cannot be omitted.

The Master Kong said (in Lun Yu, Wei Zheng):

"If you lead the people by means of virtue ($\text{dé}$, 德), and keep them in line by means of ritual ($\text{lǐ}$, 礼), they will have a sense of shame and moreover, correct themselves."

This is an analogy for governing the state, but the principle applies equally to regulating the family. If the parents are rooted in virtue (inner brightness), the family members will naturally conform (outer compliance), just as the Northern Dipper remains in place, and all other stars turn toward it. This is the most exquisite interpretation of "Wind arises from Fire" on the human level.