11. Peace (泰 Tài)

Trigrams

Above

☷ Kūn (Earth)

Below

☰ Qián (Heaven)

Symbolic Meaning

泰 (Tài) symbolizes peace and harmony. This hexagram represents a time when heaven and earth are in perfect balance, and all things function smoothly. It signifies a period of prosperity, ease, and stability.

Judgment

Original Chinese:
"泰，小往大来，吉亨。"
(Tài, xiǎo wǎng dà lái, jí hēng.)

"Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune and success."

This hexagram signifies a time of transition when small, petty concerns fall away, and larger, more significant matters take their place. It is a time of prosperity and harmony, where everything flows smoothly, bringing good fortune and success.

Image

Original Chinese:
"天地交泰，后以财成天地之道，辅相天地之宜，以左右民。"
(Tiān dì jiāo tài, hòu yǐ cái chéng tiān dì zhī dào, fǔ xiāng tiān dì zhī yí, yǐ zuǒ yòu mín.)

"Heaven and earth unite: The image of Peace. The ruler completes the cycle of heaven and earth, supports harmony, and ensures the welfare of the people."

The image of heaven and earth in harmony represents a time when all elements work together in perfect balance. The wise ruler uses this time to support and enhance the natural order, ensuring that the people prosper and that peace and harmony are maintained.

Line 1

Original Chinese:
"拔茅茹，以其汇，征吉。"
(Bá máo rú, yǐ qí huì, zhēng jí.)

"Pulling up the grass, its roots entwined. Advance brings good fortune."

This line describes pulling up grass by its roots, symbolizing the idea that everything is interconnected. In times of peace, advancing in unity with others brings good fortune. Collective effort leads to success.

Line 2

Original Chinese:
"包荒，用冯河，不遐遗，朋亡，得尚于中行。"
(Bāo huāng, yòng féng hé, bù xiá yí, péng wáng, dé shàng yú zhōng xíng.)

"Tolerating disorder, crossing the great river with strength. No misfortune. Companions disappear, but one finds support in the middle way."

This line speaks of tolerance and strength in times of transition. By tolerating minor difficulties and forging ahead, one can avoid misfortune. Even if companions fall away, staying true to the middle path brings support and success.

Line 3

Original Chinese:
"无平不陂，无往不复，艰贞无咎，勿恤其孚，于食有福。"
(Wú píng bù bēi, wú wǎng bù fù, jiān zhēn wú jiù, wù xù qí fú, yú shí yǒu fú.)

"No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. Perseverance in difficult times brings no blame. Do not worry about sincerity. You will enjoy prosperity in food and blessing."

This line reminds us that peace is often followed by challenges. Just as plains are followed by slopes, good times may be followed by difficulties. However, perseverance through hardship leads to no blame, and prosperity will follow.

Line 4

Original Chinese:
"翩翩，不富以其邻，不戒以孚。"
(Piān piān, bù fù yǐ qí lín, bù jiè yǐ fú.)

"He flutters about but does not enrich his neighbor. He does not show caution, yet he has sincerity."

This line describes someone who moves freely and appears unconcerned, as if fluttering lightly. Though he does not actively support or enrich those around him, his sincerity remains intact. This suggests that even without deliberate care or caution for others, a sincere heart can still navigate challenges effectively. The line encourages maintaining genuine intentions, even if one's actions are less than perfect.

Line 5

Original Chinese:
"帝乙归妹，以祉元吉。"
(Dì Yǐ guī mèi, yǐ zhǐ yuán jí.)

"The ruler marries off his younger sister. Great good fortune and blessings."

This line speaks of a union, symbolized by a royal marriage, which brings great harmony and blessings. It represents the peaceful joining of forces or groups, leading to prosperity and good fortune.

Line 6

Original Chinese:
"城复于隍，勿用师，自邑告命，贞吝。"
(Chéng fù yú huáng, wù yòng shī, zì yì gào mìng, zhēn lìn.)

"The wall falls back into the moat. Do not use armies. Issue commands within your own city. Perseverance brings regret."

This line warns of a return to disorder, symbolized by the walls collapsing back into the moat. It advises against relying on force or external measures to restore peace. Instead, it suggests handling issues internally, focusing on wise governance within one's own sphere. If one persists in rigid methods without addressing underlying issues, regret will follow. The message emphasizes that true peace requires balanced and thoughtful actions rather than mere outward control.