Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Kūn (Earth), Lower Trigram: Qián (Heaven)]

Upper Trigram: Kūn (Earth) Lower Trigram: Qián (Heaven)

Judgment: Tài: Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.

Symbolism: Harmony, prosperity, smooth interaction, flourishing

Meaning of the Hexagram

The Tài hexagram symbolizes peace and harmony. The character “Tài” represents peace, prosperity, and supreme harmony. This hexagram is composed of the lower trigram Qián (Heaven) and the upper trigram Kūn (Earth), symbolizing heaven supporting earth, like the natural cosmic order where heaven and earth interact harmoniously to create life and growth.

On a philosophical level, the Tài hexagram explores the wisdom of harmony and proper alignment. True wisdom is not just individual virtue but also creating harmony between different elements. The Tài hexagram reminds us that when the higher and lower, the strong and yielding, are in their proper places and interact harmoniously, peace and prosperity naturally result.

Analysis of the Judgment

“Tài: Peace” establishes the central theme of the hexagram—a state of harmony and tranquility.

“The small departs, the great approaches” suggests a transition where lesser or negative elements recede while greater or positive elements advance, indicating a shift toward more favorable conditions.

“Good fortune. Success” confirms that this state of harmony brings positive outcomes and achievement.

Overall, the judgment emphasizes that when elements are in their proper places and interact harmoniously, peace and prosperity naturally result, bringing good fortune and success.

Line Statements

Initial Nine: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.

• Symbolism: Ribbon grass pulled up with sod, each according to kind
• Interpretation: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune
• Application: Suggests that in the initial stage of peace and harmony, things naturally connect and work together, with each element finding its proper relationship, thus creating favorable conditions for new undertakings

Nine in the Second Place: Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, fording the river with resolution, not neglecting what is distant, not regarding one’s companions: thus one may manage to walk in the middle.

• Symbolism: Bearing uncultured in gentleness, fording river with resolution
• Interpretation: Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, fording the river with resolution, not neglecting what is distant, not regarding one’s companions: thus one may manage to walk in the middle
• Application: Describes the balanced approach needed to maintain peace—combining gentleness toward the less refined with firmness in difficult situations, while maintaining proper perspective on both long-term goals and immediate relationships

Nine in the Third Place: No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. He who remains persevering in danger is without blame. Do not complain about this truth; enjoy the good fortune you still possess.

• Symbolism: No plain without slope, no going without return, persevering in danger
• Interpretation: No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. He who remains persevering in danger is without blame. Do not complain about this truth; enjoy the good fortune you still possess
• Application: Reminds that even in times of peace, cycles of change continue, with rises followed by falls and advances followed by retreats, suggesting that maintaining perseverance during challenging phases and appreciating current blessings is the wise approach

Six in the Fourth Place: He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere.

• Symbolism: Fluttering down without boasting, guileless with neighbor
• Interpretation: He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere
• Application: Emphasizes the virtues that maintain peace—humility, lack of ostentation, and sincere connection with others, suggesting that genuine relationships without pretense create true harmony

Six in the Fifth Place: The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing and supreme good fortune.

• Symbolism: Sovereign giving daughter in marriage, blessing and fortune
• Interpretation: The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing and supreme good fortune
• Application: Describes the highest expression of peace through proper alliances and unions, suggesting that when those in authority create harmonious connections, the greatest blessing and fortune result

Top Six: The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.

• Symbolism: Wall falling into moat, using no army, commands within town
• Interpretation: The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation
• Application: Warns that peace has reached its conclusion, with defenses failing, suggesting that aggressive action is inappropriate at this time, and one should focus on maintaining order in one’s immediate sphere rather than persisting in expansive efforts

Interpretation Guide Table

Hexagram Transformations

Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Pǐ hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Fù hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Dùn hexagram

Najia and Five Elements

The Tài hexagram has the upper trigram Kūn which belongs to earth, and the lower trigram Qián which belongs to metal. In the Najia system, Qián trigram is assigned to Qián Palace Jiǎ Zǐ, and Kūn trigram is assigned to Kūn Palace Bǐng Wǔ.

In terms of Five Elements relationships, the lower trigram Qián is metal, and the upper trigram Kūn is earth. Earth produces metal, symbolizing nourishment and support (earth’s generation of metal). This also echoes the theme of peace described in the Tài hexagram, suggesting that when elements are in their proper places—with the supportive earth (Kūn) above and the strong metal (Qián) below—harmony and productivity naturally result, like the earth providing the minerals that form metal.

Modern Application Examples

1. Business Expansion: A business owner considering expansion during favorable market conditions receives the Tài hexagram. This confirms that the timing is excellent for growth (“Tài: Peace”), with negative factors receding and positive opportunities advancing (“The small departs, the great approaches”). “Good fortune. Success” encourages them that expansion now will bring positive outcomes. “Initial Nine: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that their business ecosystem is interconnected favorably, with each element working together naturally, creating ideal conditions for new ventures. “Nine in the Second Place: Bearing with the uncultured…” advises them to balance patience with less sophisticated clients or partners with firmness in challenging market situations, while maintaining perspective on both long-term strategy and immediate operations. “Nine in the Third Place: No plain not followed by a slope…” reminds them that even in this favorable period, business cycles continue, and they should prepare for eventual market shifts while appreciating current prosperity. “Six in the Fourth Place: He flutters down…” emphasizes the importance of expanding with humility and authentic relationships, avoiding arrogance despite success. “Six in the Fifth Place: The sovereign I gives his daughter…” suggests that strategic partnerships or mergers during this period could bring exceptional benefits. “Top Six: The wall falls back into the moat…” warns that the favorable period will eventually end, and they should avoid overextension, focusing instead on consolidating gains within their core business. Overall, the Tài hexagram advises them to proceed with expansion during this harmonious period, leveraging interconnected elements, balancing patience with firmness, preparing for future cycles, maintaining humility, forming strategic alliances, and avoiding overextension, thus maximizing the benefits of this prosperous time.

2. Relationship Development: A couple experiencing a harmonious period in their relationship receives the Tài hexagram. “Tài: Peace” confirms that their relationship is in a state of harmony and balance. “The small departs, the great approaches” suggests that minor issues are fading while deeper connection is growing. “Good fortune. Success” encourages them that this harmony brings positive outcomes for their future together. “Initial Nine: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that their lives are becoming naturally intertwined, with each aspect of their relationship finding its proper place, creating favorable conditions for deeper commitment. “Nine in the Second Place: Bearing with the uncultured…” advises them to balance gentle acceptance of each other’s less refined qualities with firmness in navigating challenges, while maintaining perspective on both long-term goals and day-to-day interactions. “Nine in the Third Place: No plain not followed by a slope…” reminds them that even in this harmonious period, relationship cycles continue, and they should prepare for eventual challenges while appreciating current connection. “Six in the Fourth Place: He flutters down…” emphasizes the importance of humility and authentic sharing, avoiding pretense or showing off to each other. “Six in the Fifth Place: The sovereign I gives his daughter…” suggests that formal commitment or marriage during this period could bring exceptional blessing and fortune. “Top Six: The wall falls back into the moat…” warns that the intensely harmonious period will eventually transition, and they should avoid pushing for constant expansion, focusing instead on maintaining quality in their core relationship. Overall, the Tài hexagram perfectly describes a relationship in its golden period: natural interconnection, balanced approach to differences, awareness of cycles, authentic sharing, potential for formal commitment, and the wisdom to avoid overextension. It advises them to appreciate and leverage this harmonious time while preparing for the natural cycles of relationship.

3. Career Advancement: A professional experiencing favorable work conditions receives the Tài hexagram. “Tài: Peace” confirms that their career is in a state of harmony and alignment. “The small departs, the great approaches” suggests that obstacles are diminishing while significant opportunities are emerging. “Good fortune. Success” encourages them that this favorable period brings positive outcomes for their professional advancement. “Initial Nine: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that their professional network and skills are naturally connecting in beneficial ways, with each element finding its proper relationship, creating ideal conditions for career growth. “Nine in the Second Place: Bearing with the uncultured…” advises them to balance patience with less sophisticated colleagues or clients with firmness in challenging work situations, while maintaining perspective on both long-term career goals and immediate projects. “Nine in the Third Place: No plain not followed by a slope…” reminds them that even in this favorable period, career cycles continue, and they should prepare for eventual challenges while appreciating current success. “Six in the Fourth Place: He flutters down…” emphasizes the importance of advancing with humility and authentic relationships, avoiding arrogance despite recognition. “Six in the Fifth Place: The sovereign I gives his daughter…” suggests that formal promotions or significant role changes during this period could bring exceptional benefits. “Top Six: The wall falls back into the moat…” warns that the favorable period will eventually transition, and they should avoid overcommitment, focusing instead on consolidating their position within their core area of expertise. Overall, the Tài hexagram advises them to leverage this harmonious career period by recognizing beneficial connections, balancing patience with firmness, preparing for future cycles, maintaining humility, accepting formal advancement opportunities, and avoiding overextension, thus maximizing their professional growth during this prosperous time.