Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Qián (Heaven), Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)]
Upper Trigram: Qián (Heaven) Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)
Judgment: Pǐ: Standstill. Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.
Symbolism: Stagnation, obstruction, decline, separation
Meaning of the Hexagram
The Pǐ hexagram symbolizes standstill and stagnation. The character “Pǐ” represents obstruction, blockage, and decline. This hexagram is composed of the lower trigram Kūn (Earth) and the upper trigram Qián (Heaven), symbolizing heaven and earth moving away from each other, like the cosmic forces separating and no longer working in harmony.
On a philosophical level, the Pǐ hexagram explores the wisdom of navigating decline and stagnation. True wisdom is not just thriving in favorable times but also knowing how to conduct oneself during periods of difficulty. The Pǐ hexagram reminds us that even in times of standstill, maintaining inner worth and proper conduct prepares the way for future renewal.
Analysis of the Judgment
“Pǐ: Standstill” establishes the central theme of the hexagram—a state of stagnation and obstruction.
“Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man” suggests that negative influences are dominant during this time, creating an environment where the virtuous person’s persistence faces obstacles.
“The great departs; the small approaches” indicates a shift where significant or positive elements recede while lesser or negative elements advance, creating unfavorable conditions.
Overall, the judgment emphasizes that during times of standstill and decline, negative influences predominate and create obstacles for positive development, requiring special wisdom to navigate.
Line Statements
Initial Six: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Perseverance brings good fortune and success.
- 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. Perseverance brings good fortune and success
- Application: Suggests that even in the initial stage of decline, natural connections remain intact, with each element maintaining its essential nature, emphasizing that maintaining perseverance despite difficulties brings eventual good fortune
Six in the Second Place: They bear and endure; this means good fortune for inferior people. The standstill serves to help the great man to attain success.
- Symbolism: Bearing and enduring, fortune for inferior, success for great man
- Interpretation: They bear and endure; this means good fortune for inferior people. The standstill serves to help the great man to attain success
- Application: Describes how different people experience stagnation differently—those of lesser character merely endure passively, while those of greater character use the challenging time as an opportunity for growth and eventual success
Six in the Third Place: They bear shame.
- Symbolism: Bearing shame
- Interpretation: They bear shame
- Application: Represents the difficult middle phase of stagnation, where one faces humiliation and shame, suggesting that this is a particularly challenging point in the cycle of decline
Nine in the Fourth Place: He who acts at the command of the highest remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing.
- Symbolism: Acting at highest command without blame, like minds sharing blessing
- Interpretation: He who acts at the command of the highest remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing
- Application: Emphasizes that during stagnation, following the highest principles and aligning with others of similar virtue creates a protected space free from blame and sharing in whatever blessings are available
Nine in the Fifth Place: Standstill is giving way. Good fortune for the great man. “What if it should fail, what if it should fail?” In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.
- Symbolism: Standstill giving way, tying to mulberry shoots
- Interpretation: Standstill is giving way. Good fortune for the great man. “What if it should fail, what if it should fail?” In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots
- Application: Describes the beginning of the end of stagnation, where improvement becomes possible, yet the wise person remains cautious and secures their position, like tying something to sturdy mulberry shoots for safety
Top Nine: The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune.
- Symbolism: Standstill ending, first standstill then fortune
- Interpretation: The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune
- Application: Announces the conclusion of the period of stagnation, emphasizing that after enduring the difficult time, good fortune naturally returns, suggesting the cyclical nature of decline and renewal
Interpretation Guide Table
| Area | Key Points | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Career | Maintain integrity during difficult periods, focus on inner development, prepare for future opportunities, avoid hasty actions | Challenging but temporary |
| Wealth | Conserve resources during lean times, avoid risky investments, focus on stability, prepare for future growth | Challenging but temporary |
| Relationships | Maintain connection despite difficulties, focus on core values, avoid blame, prepare for renewal | Challenging but temporary |
| Health | Address chronic issues patiently, focus on fundamental practices, avoid quick fixes, prepare for gradual improvement | Challenging but temporary |
| Family | Preserve harmony despite external pressures, focus on essential bonds, avoid blame, prepare for better times | Challenging but temporary |
| Education | Continue learning despite obstacles, focus on fundamentals, avoid shortcuts, prepare for future progress | Challenging but temporary |
Hexagram Transformations
Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Tài hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Lín hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Dùn hexagram
Najia and Five Elements
The Pǐ hexagram has the upper trigram Qián which belongs to metal, and the lower trigram Kūn which belongs to earth. 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 Kūn is earth, and the upper trigram Qián is metal. Earth produces metal, symbolizing nourishment and support (earth’s generation of metal). However, in this hexagram, the positioning suggests separation rather than harmony—heaven (metal) and earth moving away from each other. This contradiction between the productive relationship of the elements and their separating movement echoes the theme of standstill described in the Pǐ hexagram, suggesting the unnatural state of cosmic forces that should be working together but are instead moving apart.
Modern Application Examples
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Economic Downturn: A business owner facing an economic recession receives the Pǐ hexagram. This confirms that they are indeed in a period of stagnation (“Pǐ: Standstill”), where negative market forces create obstacles for positive business development (“Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man”). “The great departs; the small approaches” describes how significant opportunities recede while minor problems multiply during recession. “Initial Six: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that even in this difficult period, their business network and core capabilities remain intact, emphasizing that maintaining perseverance despite difficulties will eventually bring good fortune. “Six in the Second Place: They bear and endure…” distinguishes between merely surviving the recession passively versus using it strategically for future success—suggesting they should be in the latter category. “Six in the Third Place: They bear shame” acknowledges the difficult middle phase of recession, where they may face financial embarrassment or market humiliation. “Nine in the Fourth Place: He who acts at the command of the highest…” emphasizes that maintaining the highest business ethics and aligning with others of similar integrity creates protection during difficult times. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Standstill is giving way…” suggests that they will begin to see signs of economic improvement, but should remain cautious and secure their position rather than expanding too quickly. “Top Nine: The standstill comes to an end…” announces that the recession will eventually conclude, emphasizing that after enduring this difficult period, business prosperity will return. Overall, the Pǐ hexagram advises them to navigate the economic downturn by maintaining business integrity, distinguishing themselves through strategic thinking rather than mere endurance, acknowledging difficulties without being defined by them, upholding ethical standards, preparing cautiously for recovery, and maintaining confidence in the cyclical nature of economics, thus positioning their business for renewal after recession.
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Career Plateau: A professional experiencing a career standstill receives the Pǐ hexagram. “Pǐ: Standstill” directly relates to their situation of career stagnation. “Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man” suggests that office politics or unfavorable management may be creating obstacles to their advancement. “The great departs; the small approaches” describes how significant opportunities seem to be receding while minor frustrations multiply. “Initial Six: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that even in this difficult period, their professional network and core skills remain valuable, emphasizing that maintaining perseverance despite lack of recognition will eventually bring career advancement. “Six in the Second Place: They bear and endure…” distinguishes between merely surviving the career plateau versus using it strategically for skill development and positioning—suggesting they should focus on the latter. “Six in the Third Place: They bear shame” acknowledges the difficult middle phase of career stagnation, where they may face professional embarrassment or feel undervalued. “Nine in the Fourth Place: He who acts at the command of the highest…” emphasizes that maintaining the highest professional standards and aligning with others of similar quality creates protection during this difficult period. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Standstill is giving way…” suggests that they will begin to see signs of career movement, but should remain cautious and secure their position through documentation of achievements and relationship-building. “Top Nine: The standstill comes to an end…” announces that the career plateau will eventually conclude, emphasizing that after enduring this difficult period, professional advancement will return. Overall, the Pǐ hexagram perfectly describes career plateau navigation: maintaining professional integrity, using the time strategically rather than merely enduring, acknowledging difficulties without being defined by them, upholding high standards, preparing cautiously for advancement opportunities, and maintaining confidence in the cyclical nature of careers. It advises them to approach their career plateau with these principles, thus positioning themselves for renewal and advancement after stagnation.
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Relationship Difficulty: A couple experiencing a period of relationship stagnation receives the Pǐ hexagram. “Pǐ: Standstill” acknowledges their relationship has reached a point of stagnation or emotional distance. “Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man” suggests that negative influences—whether internal patterns or external pressures—are creating obstacles to their connection. “The great departs; the small approaches” describes how significant emotional connection seems to be receding while minor irritations multiply. “Initial Six: When ribbon grass is pulled up…” suggests that even in this difficult period, their core bond and shared history remain intact, emphasizing that maintaining commitment despite emotional distance will eventually restore intimacy. “Six in the Second Place: They bear and endure…” distinguishes between merely enduring the relationship difficulty versus using it as an opportunity for personal and relational growth—suggesting they should focus on the latter. “Six in the Third Place: They bear shame” acknowledges the painful middle phase of relationship stagnation, where they may face embarrassment or question the relationship’s value. “Nine in the Fourth Place: He who acts at the command of the highest…” emphasizes that maintaining the highest relationship principles (honesty, respect, kindness) and connecting with supportive friends creates protection during this difficult period. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Standstill is giving way…” suggests that they will begin to see signs of relationship improvement, but should remain cautious and secure their progress through clear communication and renewed commitments. “Top Nine: The standstill comes to an end…” announces that the relationship stagnation will eventually conclude, emphasizing that after enduring this difficult period, emotional connection will be restored. Overall, the Pǐ hexagram advises them to navigate relationship stagnation by maintaining commitment, using the time for growth rather than mere endurance, acknowledging difficulties without being defined by them, upholding relationship values, building carefully on signs of improvement, and maintaining confidence in the cyclical nature of intimacy, thus preparing their relationship for renewal after this challenging period.
