11 · 泰

Hexagram 11, 泰. Original Chinese judgment: 小往大來，吉亨。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.

Judgment

小往大來，吉亨。

《周易》通行本

Line texts

  1. 初九：拔茅茹，以其彙，征吉。
  2. 九二：包荒，用馮河，不遐遺，朋亡，得尚于中行。
  3. 九三：无平不陂，无往不復，艱貞无咎。勿恤其孚，于食有福。
  4. 六四：翩翩，不富，以其鄰，不戒以孚。
  5. 六五：帝乙歸妹，以祉元吉。
  6. 上六：城復于隍，勿用師。自邑告命，貞吝。

Tuan commentary

泰，小往大來，吉亨。則是天地交而萬物通也，上下交而其志同也。內陽而外陰，內健而外順，內君子而外小人，君子道長，小人道消也。

维基文库 · 周易 · 泰

Great Image commentary

天地交，泰；后以財成天地之道，輔相天地之宜，以左右民。

Small Images · bottom to top

  1. 拔茅征吉，志在外也。
  2. 包荒，得尚于中行，以光大也。
  3. 无往不復，天地際也。
  4. 翩翩不富，皆失實也。不戒以孚，中心願也。
  5. 以祉元吉，中以行願也。
  6. 城復于隍，其命亂也。

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese

Working translation of this site’s Chinese summaries based on traditional sources, not verbatim quotations from the commentator or a translation of the classical text. Native-language review is incomplete. Traditional imagery is not medical, legal or other professional advice.

朱熹《周易本義》

維基文庫 · 周易本義（四庫全書本）卷一

Judgment exegesis

Zhu Xi explains Tai through heaven and earth meeting and their two energies communicating. Yang occupies the inner trigram and yin the outer trigram; the way of yang firmness grows. Possessing the corresponding virtue brings auspiciousness and unhindered progress.

Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts

  1. The three yang lines below are connected and advance outward together, like pulling grass with linked roots. Those possessing firm yang virtue can advance auspiciously.
  2. Firmness in a yielding position holds the center and corresponds with the fifth yin line. Inclusiveness, decisiveness, not neglecting the distant and not favoring private factions together accord with the middle way.
  3. Tai approaches the point beyond its middle. Level ground and movement both contain reversals; maintaining correctness through difficulty as the turning point approaches allows freedom from blame and benefit.
  4. Tai has passed the middle, and the three yin lines descend together. Affinity among their kind may harm the proper way; the exemplary person remains vigilant even in openness.
  5. Yin in the honored position is yielding and centered, opening itself to the second yang line below. The middle way fulfills its wish; the image of Di Yi marrying off his daughter explains blessing and primal auspiciousness.
  6. At its extreme, Tai turns toward Pi, like a wall collapsing into the moat. Do not contest by force; put oneself in order. Even maintaining correctness does not avoid humiliation.

Plain-language reading

Working translation of this site’s Chinese editorial reading, not an edition of the classical text, a verbatim quotation from a commentator or a prediction. Native-language review is not yet complete.

Judgment introduction

Tai describes heaven and earth interacting, with communication between above and below. Yang enters and grows, expressing openness and cooperation. Yet openness is not permanent: favorable conditions call for foresight about waxing, waning and turning points.

Plain-language reading · Line texts

  1. Those of the same kind are connected like roots drawn together when reeds are pulled. Advancing together while remaining correct can accomplish things.
  2. Amid openness, accommodate differences, cross danger decisively, include distant people and avoid factions serving private interests.
  3. Level ground can turn into slopes and the movement back and forth can recur. Difficult perseverance in correctness before a turning point helps avoid faults.
  4. The situation has passed its midpoint. Shared affinity can lead relationships to lose principles; vigilance is still needed amid openness.
  5. In an important position, central receptiveness and humility allow suitable people to be employed; mutual trust can bring blessings.
  6. Openness at its limit is about to become obstruction. Do not force expansion; put one’s own affairs in order first.

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