從
cong2Mathews: 6919GSR: 1191d
Dictionary Definition
(to) follow, pursue, seek, chase, track; obey, comply, conform (with), humor, trace, be like; attend, adhere, agree, hold, tend (to); hold, go along, join, agree (with), yearn for, engage in, endure behind (s, ed, ing); (to be) 419 accessory, secondary, second, subordinate, engaged (in, with), pursuant to, according to, bent on; (a, the) following, follower, pursuit; from behind, from, by, by way of, since, whence, through, after, in a certain manner
Radical: 60+8 | First occurrence: Hexagram 02.3
Concordance & Context (22 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 02.3
3rd Line★
pursuing, following, attending, engaged in "
含章可贞。或從王事，無成有終。
Restraint in display is suited to persistence
But for someone engaged in the royal service
No achievement brings closure
Stats: 60+8→ 06.3
3rd Line
pursuing, following, attending, engaged in "
食舊德，贞厲，終吉。或從王事，無成。
Incorporating long-standing virtues
In order to be steadfast
Distressing, but in the end, auspicious
Yet for someone engaged in the royal service
There is no completion
→ 17.6
6th Line
f ollow, attend, comply (by, with)
拘係之，乃從維之。王用亨于西山。
Seize and bind them
Then follow, holding them fast
The Sovereign* will offer a sacrifice at the Western Mountain
→ 31.4
4th Line
(will) follow; attend to; conform to, be like
贞吉，悔亡。憧憧往來，朋從爾思。
(Fan Yao* 39.4: if going is impassable, then coming is alliance)
Persistence is promising
Regrets pass
If unsettled and vacillating in whether to go or come
Your alliances will conform to your thinking*
→ 42.4
4th Line
to comply, adhere, follow, attend, go along
中行告公從，利用為依遷國。
Centered in conduct
Advise the prince to comply
It will be worthwhile and practical to perform reliably
in moving the capital
→ 62.3
3rd Line
from behind; following; (a, the) follower (s)
弗過防之，從或戕之，凶。
One is never beyond defending oneself
From behind someone might attack here
Unlucky
→ 03.3x
Xiao Xiang 3
to follow, pursue, seek, chase, go after
即鹿無虞，以從禽也。君子舍之，往吝窮也。
03.3x Pursuing the deer without preparation (or forester):
In order to follow the game
* The noble young one gives this up
To proceed (is) embarrassment (and) futility
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 3
engaged in
含章可贞，以時發也。或從王事，知光大也。
02.3x Restraining display (is) suited to persistence:
For the sake of timely development
* Someone engaged in the royal service
Knows (and) honors the whole
Xiao Xiang 3
following, obeying, enduring behind 8.4x
食舊德，從上吉也。
06.3x Incorporating long-standing virtues:
Following the superior (is) promising
Tuan Zhuan
pursue(s), follow(s), endure(s) behind
師，衆也。贞，正也。能以眾正，可以王矣。剛中而應，行險而順，以此毒天下，而民從之，吉又何咎矣。
The militia
(Means) the multitude
Persistence
(Means) uprightness
The skill to employ the multitude (with) uprightness
(Is) especially suited to use by the sovereign
The firm (is) central and resonant
The practice (is) hazardous, yet responsive
To apply this is toxic to all under heaven and yet the people endure behind it
(For their) welfare:
Given this, where is the error here?
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 4
to follow, pursue, seek, attend to "
外比於賢，以從上也。
08.4x Outwardly belonging among the worthy:
In order to follow the superior
→ 02.3
Tuan Zhuan
to follow; (and) follow, attend, conform
比，吉也。比，輔也。下順從也。原筮，元永贞，無咎，以剛中也。不寧方來，上下應也。後夫凶，其道窮也。
Belonging
(Means) promise
Belonging
(Means) confirmation
The humble respond (and) follow
(For) a first consultation, supreme and enduring commitment
(And) not a mistake:
Due to firmness in the center
Wanting peace, approach directly:
Above (and) below (are) resonant
The late are the unfortunate ones:
This path runs out
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 1
(to) follow, pursue, seek, attend, adhere to
官有渝，從正吉也。出門交有功，不失也。
17.1x Standards will change:
To follow the true (is) promising
* Leaving the gate to interact has merit:
Nothing (is) lost
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 4
to follow, pursue; attend, adhere to
中行獨復，以從道也。
24.4x Walking in the middle, all alone in return:
In order to follow the path
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 5
(to) follow, obey, attend, adhere to 06.3x
居贞之吉，順以從上。
27.5x To abide in persistence holds promise:
Accepting in order to follow the superior
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 5
to follow, adhere, conform, seek (to, for)
婦人贞吉，從一而終。婦子制義從婦凶。
32.5x (For) a woman (of) maturity, persistence (is) promising:
To follow one through to completion
* (For) a man (in) youth, restraint (is) advised:
To follow the women (is) trouble
→ 02.3
to follow, adhere, conform, pursue, chase
婦人贞吉，從一而終。婦子制義從婦凶。
32.5x (For) a woman (of) maturity, persistence (is) promising:
To follow one through to completion
* (For) a man (in) youth, restraint (is) advised:
To follow the women (is) trouble
Xiao Xiang 6
to follow, pursue, seek, attend to "
往蹇來碩，志在內也。利見大人，以從貴也。
39.6x (If) going (is) impassable (then) coming back
(means) maturity:
The purpose lies within
* Rewarding to encounter a mature human being:
Thereby to attend to the worthy
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 4
to comply
告公從，以益志也。
42.4x Advising the prince to comply:
In order to further the purpose
Xiao Xiang 6
to follow, attend to; following, attending to
君子豹變，其文蔚也。小人革面，順以從君也。
49.6x The noble young one’s leopard transformation:
This one’s style (is rich in) subtlety
* Ordinary people (merely) change masks:
Submitting in order to follow a noble
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 1
to pursue, follow; adhere, attend to "
鼎顛趾，未悖也。利出否，以從貴也。
50.1x A cauldron (with) upended feet:
As yet nothing improper
* Worthwhile to expel the stagnating:
In order to attend to (what is) valued
→ 02.3
Xiao Xiang 3
from behind
從或戕之，凶如何也。
62.3x From behind someone might attack here:
Bad luck (only) seems responsible
Homophones (cong)
Previous聰 cong1
Nextcong2 叢
Help improve this resource
Spot a typo or have a suggestion? We'd love to hear from you.