Hexagram 32: Heng (Duration, 恒) - Constancy and Perseverance

BY NICOLE LAU

Heng (恒, Duration) is Hexagram 32 in the I Ching, following Xian (Influence). With binary encoding 001110, Heng represents duration, constancy, and enduring commitment. This is not fleeting attraction but lasting union - the marriage that endures, the practice sustained over time, the principle maintained through change. Understanding Heng is understanding that after attraction comes commitment, that duration requires constancy, and that true success comes from perseverance in the right direction.

Traditional Interpretation

Classical I Ching texts describe Heng as "Duration" or "Perseverance." The character 恒 depicts heart (心) and constant - enduring, lasting, permanent. Key attributes: Duration (持久, chi jiu) - lasting, enduring over time. Constancy (恒定, heng ding) - unchanging, stable. Perseverance (坚持, jian chi) - continuing despite difficulty. Direction (方向, fang xiang) - having clear path. The Judgment: "Duration. Success. No blame. Perseverance furthers. It furthers one to have somewhere to go." Enduring brings success. Persist in right direction. The Image: "Thunder and wind: the image of Duration. Thus the superior person stands firm and does not change his direction." Thunder and wind together - movement with constancy. Stand firm in principles.

Binary Encoding: 001110

In binary: 001110. In decimal: 14. Structure: Lines 1-2: Yin-Yang (01). Lines 3-5: Yang-Yang-Yang (111). Line 6: Yin (0). Same pattern as Xian but inverted trigrams - Xian is attraction, Heng is duration after attraction. Yang concentration with yin at extremes - strength sustained, constancy maintained. This is the structure of duration: enduring strength, lasting commitment.

Yin-Yang Dynamics

Balanced yang and yin - enduring through complementarity. Thunder above Wind - Heng's upper trigram is Zhen (Thunder, ☲, 001), lower is Xun (Wind, ☴, 011). Thunder (eldest son, movement) above Wind (eldest daughter, gentle penetration). Husband above wife - proper order for lasting marriage. Thunder moves, wind penetrates - both persist, creating duration through complementary constancy.

Modern Applications

Relationships: Lasting marriage - Heng is commitment after attraction. Long-term partnership - enduring through changes. Sustained love - constancy in relationship. Practice: Discipline - Heng is daily practice sustained over time. Mastery - skill built through persistent effort. Habits - behaviors maintained consistently. Principles: Integrity - standing firm in values despite pressure. Mission - persevering toward long-term goals. Tradition - maintaining what endures across generations.

Systems Science Framework

Heng is stable attractor - system maintaining state over time. Homeostasis - constancy through dynamic balance. Path dependence - direction maintained creates momentum. Resilience - enduring through perturbations. Sustainability - lasting through proper structure and renewal.

Practical Guidance

When Heng appears: Time for duration and constancy. After attraction (Xian) comes commitment (Heng). Persist in right direction. Stand firm, don't change course. Have somewhere to go - clear direction matters. Endure through changes - constancy doesn't mean rigidity but maintaining principles while adapting methods. This brings success and no blame. Perseverance furthers. Duration is achieved through constancy in the right direction.

Conclusion

Heng (001110) teaches: After attraction comes commitment. Duration requires constancy. True success comes from perseverance in right direction. Stand firm in principles. Maintain course through changes. After influence and attraction (Xian) comes duration and constancy (Heng). This is the progression: attraction leads to union, union requires endurance. Thunder and wind. Movement and penetration. Both persist. This is the power of duration.

This is Article 94 of the I Ching Hexagram Dynamics series. — Nicole Lau