Holding Together

比 (bǐ)
Hexagram 8 • Binary: 010000

Trigrams

Upper: Water

Attribute: Abysmal
Element: Water
Direction: North
Family: Middle Son

Lower: Earth

Attribute: receptive
Element: Earth
Direction: Southwest
Family: Mother

Palace

Kun Palace

Element: Earth
Ruling Trigram: earth

Judgment

<p><strong>Holding Together</strong> indicates good fortune, but let the querent re-examine himself by divination whether his virtue is great, un-intermitting and firm. If so, there will be no error. Those who are ready will then join him, but those who delay will meet with misfortune.</p>

Image

<p>The image of the earth, and over it water, form <strong>Holding Together</strong>. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, established the various states and maintained an affectionate relation to their princes.</p>

Lines

1

Position 1: Sincere Union yin

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.

2

Position 2: Inner Union yang

Hold to him inwardly. Perseverance brings good fortune.

3

Position 3: Wrong Union yin

You hold together with the wrong people.

4

Position 4: Outer Union yin

Hold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune.

5

Position 5: Illustrious Union yin

<p>Manifestation of <strong>Holding Together</strong>. 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.</p>

6

Position 6: Leaderless Union yin

<p>He finds no head for <strong>holding together</strong>. Misfortune.</p>