小
xiao3Mathews: 2605GSR: 1149a
Dictionary Definition
(to be) average, common, diminished, homogeneous, humble, insignificant, lesser, light, little, low(ly, er, est), mean, mediocre, minor, minute, modest, ordinary, slight, small(er, est), petty, tiny, trifling, trivial, unimportant, young(er, est), minimal; (a, the) commonness, homogeneity, littleness, meanness, mediocrity, pettiness, smallness; commonly, ordinarily; in detail; some small, of little, a little; for a short (time, while); (to) diminish, minimize, shrink, belittle; does not imply bad or wrong, but sometimes inferiority. 448 xiao1 2607a 1149j 85+7 11.T (to) decay, melt, thaw, dissolve, disappear, deteriorate, wane, diminish, shrink, lessen, disperse, dissipate, ebb, pass away, vanish, expend, cancel, annul, dispel, extinguish, eliminate, remove, reduce, exhaust, use up, annihilate (s, ed, ing); (to be) eliminated, dissolved, consumed, reduced, diminished, small, used up, spent, depleted, exhausted; (a, the) reduction, diminution, deterioration, diminishment, dissolution, dissipation, waning, lessening, elimination
Radical: 42+0 | First occurrence: Hexagram 03.5
Concordance & Context (69 occurrences)
Entries shown in Hatcher's reference chain order. First Witness at 03.5
5th Line★
modest, small, minor, ordinary, a little
屯其膏，小贞吉，大贞凶。
Collecting one’s riches
A little persistence is promising
A lot of persistence has pitfalls
Stats: 42+0→ 05.2
2nd Line
the small, petty, mediocre; for a moment 06.1
需于沙，小有言，終吉。
Waiting on the sand
The small will talk
In the end promising
→ 06.1
1st Line
the small, petty, mediocre; for a moment 05.2
不永所事，小有言，終吉。
Not prolonging certain endeavors
The small will talk
In the end, promising
→ 07.6
6th Line
(the) lesser, common, mediocre, petty 63.3
大君有命，開國承家，小人勿用。
The seasoned noble assumes the mandate,
Establishes domains and recognizes ruling families
Lesser people will not be used
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 2
(the) small
需於沙，衍在中也。雖小有言，以吉終也。
05.2x Waiting on the sand:
Abundance lies in the middle
* Even though the small will talk
Consider the promising outcome
Xiao Xiang 1
the small
不永所事，訟不可長也。雖小有言，其辨明也。
06.1x Not prolonging certain endeavors:
Contention is not suited to being prolonged
* Even though the small will talk
One’s arguments are clear
Xiao Xiang 6
lesser
大君有命，以正功也。小人勿用，必亂邦也。
07.6x The seasoned noble assumes the mandate:
By right (of) merit
*Lesser people will not be used:
(They would) certainly confuse the domain
Gua Ci
^small, little ^; small, little, minor
小畜：亨。密雲不雨，自我西郊。
Fulfillment
Thick clouds but no rain
From our western horizon
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
^ small ^
小畜，柔得位而上下應之，曰小畜。健而巽，剛中而志行，乃亨。密雲不雨，尚往也。自我西郊，施未行也。
Raising small beasts
The flexible finds a place and high (and) low respond to this
So this is called minor concerns
Dynamic and yet adaptive
The firm (is) central and so the intentions (are) carried out
After this, fulfillment
Thick clouds (but) no rain:
Value (any) forward progress
From our western horizon:
The influence is not yet in motion
minor
小畜，柔得位而上下應之，曰小畜。健而巽，剛中而志行，乃亨。密雲不雨，尚往也。自我西郊，施未行也。
Raising small beasts
The flexible finds a place and high (and) low respond to this
So this is called minor concerns
Dynamic and yet adaptive
The firm (is) central and so the intentions (are) carried out
After this, fulfillment
Thick clouds (but) no rain:
Value (any) forward progress
From our western horizon:
The influence is not yet in motion
Xiang Zhuan
^ small ^
風行天上，小畜。君子以懿文德。
The wind travels high in the sky
Raising small beasts
The noble young one, accordingly,
trains and refines the character
→ 03.5
Gua Ci
smallness, the small, common, mediocre
泰：小往大來，吉，亨。
Smallness departs, greatness arrives
Promise and fulfillment
→ 12.0
Tuan Zhuan
smallness
泰，小往大來，吉，亨。則是天地交而萬物通也，上下交而其志同也。內陽而外陰，內健而外順，內君子而外小人，君子道長，小人道消也。
Interplay
Smallness departs, greatness arrives,
(With) promise (and) fulfillment:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth interact
And so the myriad beings communicate
High (and) low interact and their purposes converge
Within (is) light and without (is) shadow
Within (is) strength and without (is) acceptance
Within (is) the noble young one and without (are) the common ones
The noble young one’s principles prevail
The common one’s principles fade
(is, are) (the) common, ordinary, small 11.T
泰，小往大來，吉，亨。則是天地交而萬物通也，上下交而其志同也。內陽而外陰，內健而外順，內君子而外小人，君子道長，小人道消也。
Interplay
Smallness departs, greatness arrives,
(With) promise (and) fulfillment:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth interact
And so the myriad beings communicate
High (and) low interact and their purposes converge
Within (is) light and without (is) shadow
Within (is) strength and without (is) acceptance
Within (is) the noble young one and without (are) the common ones
The noble young one’s principles prevail
The common one’s principles fade
(the) common, ordinary, average 12.T
泰，小往大來，吉，亨。則是天地交而萬物通也，上下交而其志同也。內陽而外陰，內健而外順，內君子而外小人，君子道長，小人道消也。
Interplay
Smallness departs, greatness arrives,
(With) promise (and) fulfillment:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth interact
And so the myriad beings communicate
High (and) low interact and their purposes converge
Within (is) light and without (is) shadow
Within (is) strength and without (is) acceptance
Within (is) the noble young one and without (are) the common ones
The noble young one’s principles prevail
The common one’s principles fade
Gua Ci
(while, and) smallness, the small, mediocre
否之匪人，不利君子贞，大往小來。
Separating*
oneself from inferior people*
Those not worth the young noble’s loyalty
Greatness departs, smallness arrives
→ 12.2
2nd Line
(a, the) lesser, common, small, average 14.3
包承，小人吉，大人否亨。
Embracing servitude
The common one’s promise
Is the mature one’s worthless fulfillment
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
smallness
否之匪人，不利君子贞，大往小來，則是天地不交而萬物不通也，上下不交而天下無邦也。內陰而外陽，內柔而外剛，內小人而外君子，小人道長，君子道消也。
Separating oneself from inferior people
(Who) are not worth a noble young one’s loyalty
Greatness departs, smallness arrives:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth do not interact
And so the myriad beings do not communicate
High (and) low do not interact
And so all under heaven lack government
Within (is) darkness and without (is) light
Within (is) weakness and without (is) strength
Within (are) the common people and without (is) the noble young one
The common people’s principles prevail
The noble young one’s principles fade
(is, are) (the) common, ordinary, small 12.T
否之匪人，不利君子贞，大往小來，則是天地不交而萬物不通也，上下不交而天下無邦也。內陰而外陽，內柔而外剛，內小人而外君子，小人道長，君子道消也。
Separating oneself from inferior people
(Who) are not worth a noble young one’s loyalty
Greatness departs, smallness arrives:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth do not interact
And so the myriad beings do not communicate
High (and) low do not interact
And so all under heaven lack government
Within (is) darkness and without (is) light
Within (is) weakness and without (is) strength
Within (are) the common people and without (is) the noble young one
The common people’s principles prevail
The noble young one’s principles fade
(the) common, ordinary, average, small 23.T
否之匪人，不利君子贞，大往小來，則是天地不交而萬物不通也，上下不交而天下無邦也。內陰而外陽，內柔而外剛，內小人而外君子，小人道長，君子道消也。
Separating oneself from inferior people
(Who) are not worth a noble young one’s loyalty
Greatness departs, smallness arrives:
When this occurs heaven (and) earth do not interact
And so the myriad beings do not communicate
High (and) low do not interact
And so all under heaven lack government
Within (is) darkness and without (is) light
Within (is) weakness and without (is) strength
Within (are) the common people and without (is) the noble young one
The common people’s principles prevail
The noble young one’s principles fade
3rd Line
(the) common, ordinary, average 20.1
公用亨于天子，小人弗克。
The prince presents offerings to the son of heaven
The common people cannot
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 3
(for) (the) common
公用亨于天子，小人害也。
14.3x The prince presents offerings to the son of heaven:
(For) common people, harmful
2nd Line
(a, the) little, small, young
係小子，失丈夫。
Bound to the little child
Giving up one of maturity
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 2
(the) little
係小子，弗兼與也。
17.2x Bound to the little child:
As opposed to joining (their) company
3rd Line
(a, the) little, small, young
係丈夫，失小子。隨有求得，利居贞。
Bound to one of maturity
Giving up the little child
Following comes to be seeking of gain
Worthwhile to abide in persistence
→ 03.5
3rd Line
(the) small, petty, mediocre; ^ a little 05.2
幹父之蠱，小有悔，無大咎。
Correcting father’s fixations
There will be a little regret
But no great mistakes
→ 03.5
1st Line
(for) little, small, common, average 23.6
童觀，小人無咎，君子吝。
Childlike perspective
For little people, no blame
For the noble young one, an embarrassment
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 1
(is) (a, the) little
初六童觀，小人道也。
20.1x First six’s childlike perspective
(Is) the little one’s path
3rd Line
(a, some) small, minor; a little
噬臘肉，遇毒，小吝，無咎。
Biting into preserved meat
Encountering decay
A little embarrassing
But no blame
→ 03.5
Gua Ci
(a, of) little, (some) small, minor
賁，亨，小利有攸往。
Satisfaction
A little worthwhile to have somewhere to go
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
a little
賁亨，柔來而文剛，故亨。分剛上而文柔，故小利有攸往。天文文明以止，人文觀乎天文以察時變，觀乎人文以化成天下。
Adornment satisfies
The flexible comes forward and refines the firm
Consequently, satisfaction
Alternately, the firm rises upwards and refines the flexible
Consequently, a little worthwhile to have somewhere to go
(Even) heaven (has) a style
Refinement (and) clarity mean stability
(Such is) human culture
Look to heaven’s refinements
Thereby to study the seasonal changes
Look to humanity’s refinements
Thereby to transform (and) complete all under heaven
6th Line
(as, while) (the) average, common, petty 33.4
碩果不食，君子得輿，小人剝廬。
The ripest fruit is not eaten*
The noble young one gains ground
As the common people tear down their own shacks*
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 6
(as) (the) common
君子得於民所載，小人剝廬，終不可用也。
23.6x The noble young one gains ground:
The people (are) those who uphold (one)
* (As) the common people tear down (their own) shacks:
In the end not fit to be used
Tuan Zhuan
(the) average, common, ordinary, lesser 12.2
剝，剝也，柔變剛也。不利有攸往，小人長也。順而止之，觀象也。君子尚消息盈虛，天行也。
Decomposing
(Means) stripping away
The flexible alters the firm
Not worthwhile to have somewhere to go:
The common people prevail
Accept and stop here
Look at the image
The noble young one respects waning (and) waxing as surplus (and) want
(And as) heaven’s behavior
→ 03.5
2nd Line
small, little, minor, modest, humble, ordinary
坎有險，求小得。
The canyon holds risks
Seek modest gains
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 2
modest
求小德，未出中。
29.2x Seek modest gains:
(One is) not yet out of the middle
Gua Ci
(a, in, for, of) (the) little, small, minor (things)
遁，亨，小利贞。
Success
Little reward in persistence
→ 03.5
4th Line
(the) ordinary(ily), common(ly); small, lesser 34.3
好遁，君子吉，小人否。
Elective retreat
The noble young one’s opportunity
The common people deny
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 4
(while) (the) common
君子好遁，小人否。
33.4x The noble young one chooses retreat
(While) common people deny
Tuan Zhuan
(of) little
遁亨。遁而亨。剛當位而應，與時行。小利贞，浸而長。遁之時義大矣哉。
Distancing succeeds:
Get distance and then succeed
The firm (is) suitably placed and resonant
To partake in the seasons’ progress
Little reward (in) persistence:
[The flexible] penetrates and then prevails
Distancing’s proper timing (is) very important here!
Xiang Zhuan
(the) little, small, common, ordinary, average
天下有山，遁。君子以遠小人，不惡而嚴。
Beneath the sky is a mountain
Distancing
The noble young one, accordingly,
is distant from the common people
Not with ill will, but with reserve
→ 03.5
3rd Line
(the) common, ordinary, average; small 40.5
小人用壮，君子用罔。贞厲。羝羊触藩，羸其角。
Ordinary people apply force
The noble young one uses his wits*
Persistence is trouble
The billy goat* butts the hedge
Entangling his horns
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 3
ordinary
小人用壮，君子罔。
34.3x Ordinary people apply force:
(To) the noble young one, a snare*
Gua Ci
(in) little, small, minor, ordinary, common
睽，小事吉。
In ordinary matters, promising
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
ordinary
睽，火動而上，澤動而下。二女同居，其志不同行。説而麗乎明，柔進而上行，得中而應乎剛。是以小事吉。天地睽而其事同，男女睽而其志通，萬物睽而其事類。睽之時用大矣哉！
Estrangement
The fire moves, but (only) upwards
The lake moves, but (only) downwards
Two women dwell together
(But) their intentions do not function as one
Enjoyment, along with dependence on clarity
The flexible advances, and so improves (its) conduct
Gaining the center and resonating with the firm
And so it is that ordinary matters (are) promising
Heaven (and) earth diverge, but still their endeavors converge
Masculine (and) feminine diverge, but their objectives interact
The myriad beings diverge, but their affairs (are) interrelated
Estrangement’s timely application (is) very important here!
5th Line
(the) small, ordinary, lesser, common 49.6
君子維有觧，吉。有孚于小人。
The noble young one, in bondage, still has freedoms
Promising
Holding true among the common people
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 5
(which) (the) common
君子有觧，小人退也。
40.5x The noble young one (still) owns freedoms
(Which) the common people retreat (from)
3rd Line
(but) (a) little, small, slight, minor
萃如，嗟如，無攸利，往無咎，小吝。
It seems that to congregate is the same as complaining
Not a direction with merit
To continue thus is not harmful
But a little embarrassing
→ 03.5
Xiang Zhuan
(the) little, minor, ordinary, small (things)
地中生木，升。君子以順德，積小以高大。
Within the earth wood grows
Advancement
The noble young one, accordingly, is accepting by nature
Collecting the small things as a way to the noble and great
→ 03.5
6th Line
(the) lesser, common, ordinary, average 11.T
君子豹變，小人革面。征凶，居贞吉。
A noble young one’s leopard transformation
Ordinary people merely change masks
To expedite has pitfalls
To abide in persistence is promising
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 6
ordinary
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
1st Line
(the) little, small, young
鴻漸于干，小子厲，有言，無咎。
The wild geese advance by degrees to the shoreline
The little fledgling* is struggling
There will be criticism
But not blame
→ 03.5
Xiao Xiang 1
(the) little
小子之厲，義無咎也。
53.1x The little fledgling is having difficulties:
Deserving no blame
Gua Ci
(with) (a) little; minor, modest, humble 57.0
旅。小，亨。旅，贞，吉。
With modest fulfillment
The wanderer persists
Promising
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
(is, means) modest
The wanderer
(Means) modest fulfillment
The flexible finds the balance on the outside
And so complies with firmness
Restraint along with dependence on clarity
This is how, (with) modest fulfillment,
The wanderer’s persistence (is) promising
The wanderer’s appropriate timing (is) very important here!
(with) modest
The wanderer
(Means) modest fulfillment
The flexible finds the balance on the outside
And so complies with firmness
Restraint along with dependence on clarity
This is how, (with) modest fulfillment,
The wanderer’s persistence (is) promising
The wanderer’s appropriate timing (is) very important here!
Gua Ci
(in) (a, the) little, small, modest, humble 56.0
巽。小，亨。利有攸往。利見大人。
In little successes
Worthwhile to have somewhere to go
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
little
重巽以申命，剛巽乎中正而志行。柔皆順乎剛，是以小，亨。利有攸往，利見大人。
Repeated adaptation (is) useful (in) setting forth the higher purpose
The firm adapts with balance (and) integrity
And so the intentions (are) carried out
The flexible both respond to the firm
So there are, accordingly, little successes
Worthwhile to have somewhere to go
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
Gua Ci
smallness, commonness; littleness; (the) small
小過。亨。利贞。可小事，不可大事。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上，宜下，大吉。
Fulfillment
Worthwhile to persist
Appropriate for minor concerns,
Not suited to great concerns
The flying bird bequeaths this message:
If not adapted to heights, adapt to remaining below
Much promise
→ 62.0
minor, small, common, ordinary, everyday
小過。亨。利贞。可小事，不可大事。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上，宜下，大吉。
Fulfillment
Worthwhile to persist
Appropriate for minor concerns,
Not suited to great concerns
The flying bird bequeaths this message:
If not adapted to heights, adapt to remaining below
Much promise
Tuan Zhuan
smallness
小過，小者過而亨也。過以利贞，與時行也。柔得中，是以小事吉也。剛失位而不中，是以不可大事也。有飛鳥之象焉。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上宜下，大吉；上逆而下順也。
Smallness in excess
The small are those who go beyond and so (are) fulfilled
Exceeding, accordingly, (is) worth persistence
To take part in the time (is) to move
The flexible gains the center
This is how minor concerns (are) promising
The firm (has) lost position and also is not in the center
(And) so this is, accordingly, not suited to great concerns
There is the flying bird’s image herein
The flying bird bequeaths this message:
(If) not adapted to heights (then) adapt to (remaining) below
Much promise:
Above (is) resistance while below (is) acceptance
(the) small
小過，小者過而亨也。過以利贞，與時行也。柔得中，是以小事吉也。剛失位而不中，是以不可大事也。有飛鳥之象焉。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上宜下，大吉；上逆而下順也。
Smallness in excess
The small are those who go beyond and so (are) fulfilled
Exceeding, accordingly, (is) worth persistence
To take part in the time (is) to move
The flexible gains the center
This is how minor concerns (are) promising
The firm (has) lost position and also is not in the center
(And) so this is, accordingly, not suited to great concerns
There is the flying bird’s image herein
The flying bird bequeaths this message:
(If) not adapted to heights (then) adapt to (remaining) below
Much promise:
Above (is) resistance while below (is) acceptance
minor
小過，小者過而亨也。過以利贞，與時行也。柔得中，是以小事吉也。剛失位而不中，是以不可大事也。有飛鳥之象焉。飛鳥遺之音，不宜上宜下，大吉；上逆而下順也。
Smallness in excess
The small are those who go beyond and so (are) fulfilled
Exceeding, accordingly, (is) worth persistence
To take part in the time (is) to move
The flexible gains the center
This is how minor concerns (are) promising
The firm (has) lost position and also is not in the center
(And) so this is, accordingly, not suited to great concerns
There is the flying bird’s image herein
The flying bird bequeaths this message:
(If) not adapted to heights (then) adapt to (remaining) below
Much promise:
Above (is) resistance while below (is) acceptance
Xiang Zhuan
smallness
山上有雷，小過。君子以行過乎恭，丧過乎哀，用過乎儉。
Over the mountain there is thunder
Smallness in excess
The noble young one, accordingly,
in conduct will exceed in respect
In loss will exceed in sorrow
In practice will exceed in economy
→ 03.5
Gua Ci
(is) minor, modest, small, minimal, slight
既濟。亨，小利贞，初吉終亂。
Fulfillment is minor
But rewarding to persist
At the beginning, promise; by the end, disorder
→ 03.5
3rd Line
(the) lesser, common, mediocre, petty 07.6
高宗伐鬼方，三年克之。小人勿用。
The illustrious ancestor subjugated barbarian country
It took three years to conquer them
Lesser people were not at all useful
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
(the) minor
既濟亨，小者亨也。利贞，剛柔正而位當也。初吉，柔得中也。終止則亂，其道窮也。
After completion (comes) fulfillment
The minor is that which fulfills
Worthwhile to persist:
The firm (and) the flexible (are all) correct and also properly placed
At the beginning, promise:
The flexible occupies the center
By the end equilibrium results in disorder
This process (is) finished
Gua Ci
(a, the) little, small, young
未濟。亨。小狐汔濟，濡其尾，無攸利。
Fulfillment
The little fox is almost across the half-frozen stream
To soak that tail
Is not a direction with merit
→ 03.5
Tuan Zhuan
(the) little
未濟亨，柔得中也。小狐汔濟，未出中也。濡其尾，無攸利，不續終也。雖不當位，剛柔應也。
P wei4 (to be) not yet
ji4 complete
heng1 (means) fulfillment
* rou2 3133 02.T the flexible, gentle, yielding; flexibility
de2 6161 02.0 gain, secure, find, occupy, claim (s) 06.T
zhong1 1504 03.3 the center, middle, mean, balance "
P xiao3 (the) little
hu2 fox
qi4 (is) almost
ji4 across (the) (half-frozen) stream
* wei4 (but) not yet
chu1 1409 05.4 out of, beyond, past; (sur)passed, departed
zhong1 1504 03.3 the center, middle, balance; concentration
S ru2 to soak
qi2 that
wei3 tail
* wu2 (is) not
you1 (a) direction
li4 with merit
* bu4 5379 02.2 (this is, would) not, to not; wanting; failing
xu4 2865 120+15 HL (to) continue, connect; go (ing) on, through
zhong1 1500 01.3 to the end, outcome, conclusion, finish
S sui1 5519 55.1 F even if, though; although 05.6x
bu4 5379 02.2 not, im-; in-; un-; less than; nothing, none "
dang1 6087 05.6x (is, are) properly, appropriately, suitably "
wei4 7116 45.5 placed, positioned, situated, dignified "
* gang1 3268 03.T the firm, strong, resolute; firmness
rou2 3133 02.T (and) the flexible, gentle, yielding; flexibility
ying4 7477 02.T (all) correspond, resonate, relate, reciprocate
Homophones (xiao)
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