Hexagram 11. Peace (泰 Tài)

Trigrams

Above

☷ Kūn (Earth) — 地 · Receptive

Below

☰ Qián (Heaven) — 天 · Creative

Symbolic Meaning

泰 (Tài) describes a condition in which opposing forces are in open exchange. What is above and below communicates freely, allowing growth, circulation, and balance. It is a time of alignment, where movement between levels is unobstructed and all things find their proper place.

Judgment

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

"Free exchange. The lesser moves outward, the greater comes inward. Favorable outcome. Smooth progress."

This describes a state in which what is limited recedes and what is substantial advances. The movement is not forced—it arises naturally from alignment.

Because communication between levels is open, development proceeds without obstruction. This is a condition of flow rather than effort.

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 join in exchange: peace. The superior person shapes and completes the patterns of interaction, supports what is fitting, and guides the people accordingly."

The image is not simple union, but active exchange—movement between above and below. This circulation sustains harmony.

The role of leadership is to recognize and support this natural order, not impose upon it. By aligning with what is appropriate, stability is maintained and extended.

Line 1

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

"Uprooting the grass reveals its connected roots. Advancing together brings favorable outcome."

This line highlights interconnection. What appears separate is in fact linked beneath the surface.

Progress is favorable when movement occurs in coordination with others, rather than in isolation.

Line 2

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

"Embracing what is unformed, one moves through difficulty without neglect. Companions fall away, yet one is honored for walking the central course."

This line describes the capacity to include what is rough or undeveloped without rejection. One proceeds through challenge without abandoning responsibility.

Though support may diminish, alignment with a balanced path leads to recognition and stability.

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 level ground remains unchanged; no movement fails to return. In difficulty, correct alignment leads to no error. Do not be troubled—there is provision."

This line introduces the cycle within peace itself. Stability contains the seeds of change.

Steadiness through shifting conditions allows the process to continue. Trust in the cycle ensures that provision remains even through transition.

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.)

"Moving lightly, not accumulating at the expense of others. Without guardedness, there is trust."

This line shows a state of ease without exploitation. Movement is unburdened and not driven by acquisition.

Because there is no defensiveness or grasping, trust arises naturally. Harmony is maintained without effort.

Line 5

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

"A sovereign arranges a marriage, bringing blessing and a highly favorable outcome."

This line represents a union that is properly arranged and harmoniously aligned. It signifies the joining of elements that complement one another.

Because the relationship is formed in accordance with what is appropriate, it results in enduring benefit.

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 city returns to the moat. Do not engage force. Issue orders within one's own domain. Persisting in correct alignment brings a constrained outcome."

This line marks the turning point where harmony begins to recede. Structures that once stood firm begin to give way.

Escalation disrupts further. Stability must be restored internally rather than through force. Rigid continuation under changing conditions leads to regret.