I Ching Oracle Result: Transformation from Hexagram 11 with Changing Lines 1, 3, 6 to Hexagram 4
Yì Jīng’s Response: Hexagram 11.1.3.6 -> 4
11. Peace (泰 Tài)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☷ Kūn (Earth)
- Below
- ☰ Qián (Heaven)
The Symbolism of Hexagram 11
Hexagram 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.
Hexagram 11 Judgment
"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.
Hexagram 11 Image
"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 Changing
"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 3 Changing
"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 6 Changing
"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.
Changing to:
4. Youthful Folly (蒙 Méng)
Trigrams
- Above
- ☶ Gèn (Mountain)
- Below
- ☵ Kǎn (Water)
The Symbolism of Hexagram 4
Hexagram 蒙 (Méng) represents youthful folly, the state of ignorance and inexperience. It symbolizes the early stages of development when one lacks knowledge or wisdom and requires guidance. Youthful Folly encourages learning, seeking instruction, and being open to correction in order to grow and mature.
Hexagram 4 Judgment
"发蒙,利用刑人,用说桎梏,以往吝。"
(Fā méng, lì yòng xíng rén, yòng shuō zhì gù, yǐ wǎng lìn.)
“Youthful folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool, but the young fool who seeks me. At the first oracle, I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity. If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.”
Youthful folly represents a lack of knowledge and understanding, which can only be overcome through learning. The judgment advises that one should seek wisdom rather than passively wait for it. At the same time, if someone repeatedly asks the same question without making an effort to learn, their behavior is considered importunate, and they will not receive further instruction. Success comes through the sincere pursuit of knowledge and perseverance.
Hexagram 4 Image
"山下出泉,蒙。君子以果行育德。"
(Shān xià chū quán, méng. Jūn zǐ yǐ guǒ xíng yù dé.)
“A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of Youthful Folly. The superior person fosters character by thoroughly carrying out his or her resolve.”
The image of a spring beneath the mountain suggests that wisdom and clarity are hidden beneath the surface, much like how a youth must grow and develop in character before wisdom can emerge. The superior person fosters their development by persistently acting on their resolve, committing to a path of learning and self-improvement.
Peace and wisdom on your journey!
With gratitude,
The I Ching Team