12 · 否
Hexagram 12, 否. Original Chinese judgment: 否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。 Read the six line statements, commentaries and separately labeled editorial summaries.
Judgment
否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。
Line texts
- 初六：拔茅茹，以其彙，貞吉亨。
- 六二：包承。小人吉，大人否，亨。
- 六三：包羞。
- 九四：有命，无咎，疇離祉。
- 九五：休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，繫于苞桑。
- 上九：傾否，先否後喜。
Tuan commentary
否之匪人，不利君子貞，大往小來。則是天地不交而萬物不通也，上下不交而天下无邦也。內陰而外陽，內柔而外剛，內小人而外君子，小人道長，君子道消也。
Great Image commentary
天地不交，否；君子以儉德辟難，不可榮以祿。
Small Images · bottom to top
- 拔茅貞吉，志在君也。
- 大人否亨，不亂羣也。
- 包羞，位不當也。
- 有命无咎，志行也。
- 大人之吉，位正當也。
- 否終則傾，何可長也。
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》
Judgment exegesis
Zhu Xi explains Pi as obstruction, structurally opposite to Tai. Heaven and earth do not meet; yang occupies the outer trigram and yin the inner trigram, obstructing the exemplary person’s proper way.
Traditional source · editorial summary in Chinese · Line texts
- At the beginning of obstruction, the three yin lines tend to advance together, but wrongdoing has not yet appeared. Turning toward correctness in time can still bring auspiciousness and unhindered progress.
- Yielding, centered correctness can embrace and comply, which is a route to advantage for the petty person. The great person instead rests within obstruction without surrendering integrity through accommodation.
- Yin in a yang position is neither centered nor correct. The intention to harm the good has not yet been enacted, hence the image of concealed shame.
- Obstruction has passed the middle and approaches renewed communication. Yang in a yin position in the fourth line avoids extreme firmness; responding to the time and its mandate can avoid blame and benefit those of the same kind.
- Firm, centered correctness in the honored position can end obstruction. Even when circumstances improve, remain alert to possible ruin to stay attached to a firm foundation.
- Yang firmness at the extreme of obstruction can overturn the blocked situation. Obstruction cannot last forever, hence the transition from obstruction to joy.
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
Pi describes obstruction: heaven and earth do not interact and above and below are separated. The influence of petty people grows while the exemplary person’s path is blocked. Preserve principles during disconnection rather than seeking apparent ease through appeasement.
Plain-language reading · Line texts
- Obstruction is beginning and people of the same kind tend to advance together. Turning in time and remaining correct still leave an opening.
- Yielding acceptance can give petty people temporary ease, but those bearing greater responsibility should preserve principles rather than gain access by appeasement.
- Improper intent, even before it is acted upon, already carries shame; notice harmful thoughts before action.
- Obstruction has passed its midpoint and is approaching change. Do not take firmness to extremes; fitting timing can avoid faults.
- Even with the ability to end obstruction, remain alert to the possibility of collapse, anchoring improvement in firm foundations.
- At the extreme, obstruction may overturn and become openness, represented by being blocked first and then finding joy.