I-Ching & Family & Community
Strong families and communities form the foundation of a meaningful life. These hexagrams address household harmony, fellowship, gathering, and the bonds that unite people.
Key Hexagrams (8)
家人Jiā Rén — The Family
The perseverance of the woman furthers. The laws within the household, transferred to outside life, keep the state and world in order. Influence works from within outward, like wind created by fire. Each position has its proper function. Strong leadership from the head, faithful management of the center. The family is society in embryo.
同人Tóng Rén — Fellowship
Fellowship in the open—success. It furthers one to cross the great water. The perseverance of the person of moral stature furthers. True fellowship must be based on universal concern, not private interest. Cliques don't count.
比Bǐ — Holding Together
Good fortune through union. But ask yourself honestly: do you have the constancy this requires? Those unsure will gradually join. Those who arrive too late meet misfortune—the group has already formed without them.
萃Cuì — Gathering Together
Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. Persistence furthers. Great offerings bring good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. Where people are gathered, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader as the center. To bring others together, a leader must first be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Great times of unification leave great achievements behind them.
渙Huàn — Dispersion
Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to cross the great water. Persistence furthers. When vital energy is dammed up within, gentleness serves to break up and dissolve the blockage. Religious forces are needed to overcome the egotism that divides people. Sacred rites and music arouse a strong tide of emotion shared by all hearts in unison, awakening consciousness of the common origin of all creatures. In this way disunity is overcome and rigidity dissolved. Cooperation in great undertakings sets a high goal for the will of the people; in the common concentration on this goal, all barriers dissolve.
臨Lín — Approach
Supreme success. Perseverance furthers. But when the eighth month comes, there will be misfortune. Spring approaches now—joy and forbearance unite. Yet every approach contains the seed of withdrawal. The eighth month will arrive.
師Shī — The Army
The mass needs organization to become a force. This requires a strong leader—not through brutality but through character that inspires loyalty. Discipline achieved through respect, not fear. Such leadership brings good fortune without blame.
兌Duì — The Joyous
Success. Persistence is favorable. True joy rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting outwardly as yielding and gentle. Joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and strength must dwell in the heart, while gentleness reveals itself in social intercourse. Intimidation without gentleness may achieve something momentarily, but not for all time. When hearts are won by friendliness, people willingly take all hardships upon themselves.