Hexagram Image: [Upper Trigram: Kǎn (Water), Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)]
Upper Trigram: Kǎn (Water) Lower Trigram: Kūn (Earth)
Judgment: Bǐ: Good fortune. Inquire again of the oracle. Supreme and lasting perseverance furthers. No blame. Those who are uncertain gradually join. Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune.
Symbolism: Union, alliance, solidarity, harmony
Meaning of the Hexagram
The Bǐ hexagram symbolizes holding together and union. The character “Bǐ” represents closeness, alliance, and solidarity. This hexagram is composed of the lower trigram Kūn (Earth) and the upper trigram Kǎn (Water), symbolizing water upon the earth, like rain that brings all things together and nourishes them.
On a philosophical level, the Bǐ hexagram explores the wisdom of unity and cooperation. True wisdom is not just individual achievement but also the ability to create and maintain harmonious relationships. The Bǐ hexagram reminds us that union requires proper foundation, timely action, and lasting perseverance to achieve success.
Analysis of the Judgment
“Bǐ: Good fortune” indicates that union and solidarity lead to good fortune, emphasizing the positive power of cooperation and harmony.
“Inquire again of the oracle” suggests the importance of seeking confirmation and clarity before proceeding with union, emphasizing that alliances should be carefully considered.
“Supreme and lasting perseverance furthers” emphasizes that maintaining union requires consistent effort and dedication over time.
“No blame” assures that proper union is without fault or negative consequences.
“Those who are uncertain gradually join” describes how union often develops—beginning with core participants and gradually expanding to include those who were initially hesitant.
“Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune” warns against delaying too long in joining beneficial alliances, suggesting that timing is crucial in union.
Overall, the judgment emphasizes that union brings good fortune when it is carefully considered, consistently maintained, and timely joined, thus transforming individual efforts into powerful collective harmony.
Line Statements
Initial Six: Hold to him in truth and loyalty; this is without blame. Truth, like a full earthen bowl: thus in the end good fortune comes from without.
- Symbolism: Holding in truth and loyalty, full earthen bowl, fortune from without
- Interpretation: Hold to him in truth and loyalty; this is without blame. Truth, like a full earthen bowl: thus in the end good fortune comes from without
- Application: Emphasizes that the foundation of any union must be sincerity and loyalty, suggesting that such genuine connection naturally attracts good fortune from external sources
Six in the Second Place: Hold to him inwardly. Perseverance brings good fortune.
- Symbolism: Holding inwardly, perseverance brings fortune
- Interpretation: Hold to him inwardly. Perseverance brings good fortune
- Application: Suggests that union must be maintained with inner conviction and consistency, not just external appearance, emphasizing that such genuine inner commitment leads to good fortune
Six in the Third Place: You hold together with the wrong people.
- Symbolism: Holding with wrong people
- Interpretation: You hold together with the wrong people
- Application: Warns against forming alliances with inappropriate or unworthy partners, suggesting that discernment in choosing associates is crucial for successful union
Six in the Fourth Place: Hold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune.
- Symbolism: Holding outwardly also, perseverance brings fortune
- Interpretation: Hold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune
- Application: Emphasizes the importance of expressing union externally as well as internally, suggesting that visible demonstration of commitment strengthens alliances and brings good fortune
Nine in the Fifth Place: Manifestation of holding together. In the hunt the king uses beaters on three sides only and foregoes game that runs off in front. The citizens need no warning. Good fortune.
- Symbolism: Manifestation of holding together, king using beaters on three sides
- Interpretation: Manifestation of holding together. In the hunt the king uses beaters on three sides only and foregoes game that runs off in front. The citizens need no warning. Good fortune
- Application: Describes the ideal state of union where leadership is balanced and people naturally come together without coercion, suggesting that such voluntary and harmonious union brings good fortune
Top Six: He finds no head for holding together. Misfortune.
- Symbolism: Finding no head for holding together, misfortune
- Interpretation: He finds no head for holding together. Misfortune
- Application: Warns against union without proper leadership or central organizing principle, suggesting that such headless alliances lead to misfortune and dissolution
Interpretation Guide Table
| Area | Key Points | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Career | Build genuine professional networks, maintain consistent relationships, choose associates wisely, focus on mutual benefit | Auspicious |
| Wealth | Develop financial partnerships, maintain consistent investment strategies, choose advisors carefully, focus on shared prosperity | Auspicious |
| Relationships | Cultivate sincere connections, maintain consistent commitment, choose partners wisely, focus on mutual growth | Auspicious |
| Health | Coordinate with healthcare team, maintain consistent wellness routines, choose practitioners carefully, focus on holistic approach | Auspicious |
| Family | Foster family solidarity, maintain consistent family traditions, choose family activities thoughtfully, focus on shared values | Auspicious |
| Education | Form study groups, maintain consistent learning partnerships, choose educational communities carefully, focus on collaborative learning | Auspicious |
Hexagram Transformations
Derived Hexagram: Varies depending on changing lines Mutual Hexagram: Shī hexagram Opposite Hexagram: Xiǎo Chù hexagram Nuclear Hexagram: Jìng hexagram
Najia and Five Elements
The Bǐ hexagram has the upper trigram Kǎn which belongs to water, and the lower trigram Kūn which belongs to earth. In the Najia system, Kūn trigram is assigned to Kūn Palace Bǐng Wǔ, and Kǎn trigram is assigned to Kǎn Palace Rén Zǐ.
In terms of Five Elements relationships, the lower trigram Kūn is earth, and the upper trigram Kǎn is water. Earth contains and directs water, symbolizing supportive foundation and nourishment (earth’s relationship with water). This also echoes the theme of holding together described in the Bǐ hexagram, suggesting that union requires a solid foundation (earth) to support and direct the flow of energy and resources (water), like the earth receiving rain to nourish all living things.
Modern Application Examples
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Team Building: A leader developing team cohesion receives the Bǐ hexagram. This reminds them that building team unity leads to good fortune (“Bǐ: Good fortune”), but they should carefully consider their approach (“Inquire again of the oracle”). “Supreme and lasting perseverance furthers” emphasizes that team building requires consistent effort over time, not just one-off activities. “Those who are uncertain gradually join” describes how team cohesion often develops—beginning with enthusiastic members and gradually including more hesitant ones. “Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune” warns against allowing some team members to remain isolated too long. “Initial Six: Hold to him in truth and loyalty…” emphasizes that team relationships must be built on sincerity and trust, not manipulation or politics. “Six in the Second Place: Hold to him inwardly…” suggests that team members must genuinely believe in the team’s purpose and values, not just comply externally. “Six in the Third Place: You hold together with the wrong people” warns against including toxic individuals who undermine team culture. “Six in the Fourth Place: Hold to him outwardly also…” emphasizes the importance of visible team-building activities and public recognition of collaboration. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Manifestation of holding together…” describes the ideal state where leadership is balanced and team members naturally collaborate without micromanagement. “Top Six: He finds no head for holding together…” warns against teams without clear leadership or purpose. Overall, the Bǐ hexagram advises them to approach team building with sincerity, consistent effort, careful selection of members, visible celebration of teamwork, balanced leadership, and clear purpose, thus transforming individual contributors into a cohesive, high-performing team.
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Business Partnership: Entrepreneurs forming a business partnership receive the Bǐ hexagram. “Bǐ: Good fortune” encourages them that partnership brings positive results. “Inquire again of the oracle” suggests they should thoroughly evaluate the partnership before proceeding. “Supreme and lasting perseverance furthers” emphasizes that successful partnerships require consistent effort and commitment over time. “No blame” assures them that a proper partnership is without fault. “Those who are uncertain gradually join” suggests that their partnership may start small but can grow to include others as success is demonstrated. “Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune” warns against delaying important partnership decisions. “Initial Six: Hold to him in truth and loyalty…” emphasizes that the foundation of their partnership must be honesty and loyalty, suggesting that such genuine connection naturally attracts opportunities. “Six in the Second Place: Hold to him inwardly…” suggests that partners must genuinely believe in each other and the business, not just maintain surface agreement. “Six in the Third Place: You hold together with the wrong people” warns against partnering with those who lack integrity or complementary skills. “Six in the Fourth Place: Hold to him outwardly also…” emphasizes the importance of publicly supporting each other and presenting a united front to clients and stakeholders. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Manifestation of holding together…” describes the ideal partnership where leadership is balanced and collaboration happens naturally without power struggles. “Top Six: He finds no head for holding together…” warns against partnerships without clear decision-making structure or shared vision. Overall, the Bǐ hexagram perfectly describes successful business partnerships: built on honesty, maintained with genuine commitment, formed with the right people, visibly supportive, balanced in leadership, and guided by clear structure. It advises them to approach their partnership with these principles, thus creating a strong and prosperous business alliance.
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Community Building: A person working to strengthen community connections receives the Bǐ hexagram. “Bǐ: Good fortune” directly points to the benefits of community solidarity. “Inquire again of the oracle” suggests they should carefully consider their community-building approach. “Supreme and lasting perseverance furthers” emphasizes that community development requires consistent effort over time, not just occasional events. “Those who are uncertain gradually join” describes how community engagement often develops—beginning with active participants and gradually including more hesitant neighbors. “Whoever comes too late meets with misfortune” warns against allowing some community members to remain isolated too long. “Initial Six: Hold to him in truth and loyalty…” emphasizes that community relationships must be built on sincerity and genuine care, not obligation or appearance. “Six in the Second Place: Hold to him inwardly…” suggests that community members must genuinely value connection, not just participate superficially. “Six in the Third Place: You hold together with the wrong people” warns against focusing community efforts on those who consistently undermine or exploit the community. “Six in the Fourth Place: Hold to him outwardly also…” emphasizes the importance of visible community activities and public celebration of connection. “Nine in the Fifth Place: Manifestation of holding together…” describes the ideal state where community leadership is balanced and people naturally support each other without coercion. “Top Six: He finds no head for holding together…” warns against community initiatives without clear organization or purpose. Overall, the Bǐ hexagram advises them to approach community building with sincerity, consistent effort, focus on constructive members, visible celebration of connection, balanced leadership, and clear purpose, thus transforming individual households into a supportive, resilient community.
