Ts'ui / Gathering TogetherLake on the Earth

Hexagram 45 ·

The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the...

First
Six
Second
Six
Third
Six
Fourth
Nine
Fifth
Nine
Top
Six
Quick Guide

This hexagram is related in form and meaning to Pi, HOLDING TOGETHER (8). In the latter, water is over the earth; here a lake is over the earth. But since the lake is a place where water collects, the idea of gathering together is even more strongly expressed here than in the other hexagram. The same idea also arises from the fact that in the present case it is two strong lines (the fourth and the fifth) that bring about the gathering together, whereas in the former case one strong line (the fifth) stands in the midst of weak lines.

Hexagram Judgment

GATHERING TOGETHER. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To bring great offerings creates good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something.

The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved. Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the center of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is need of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.

Tuan Commentary

Gathering means assembling. Gentle and devoted, the hard is in the middle and has correspondence—hence they assemble. The king approaches his temple: this expresses his filial piety toward the ancestors. It furthers to see the great man, success, because assembling is correct. It furthers to make a great sacrifice, because this is the will of heaven. Observing what they assemble, one can see the nature of heaven and earth and of all beings.

Gathering means assembling. Compliance and joy, with firmness in the middle and responsive, therefore there is gathering. The king approaches his temple to bring filial offerings. It is favorable to see the great person and attain success because gathering is grounded in correctness. Using a great offering brings good fortune because it follows heaven's mandate. By observing what gathers, one may see the nature of heaven, earth, and the myriad beings.

Great Image

Over the earth, the lake: The image of GATHERING TOGETHER. Thus the superior man renews his weapons In order to meet the unforeseen.

If the water in the lake gathers until it rises above the earth, there is danger of a break-through. Precautions must be taken to prevent this. Similarly where men gather together in great numbers, strife is likely to arise; where possessions are collected, robbery is likely to occur. Thus in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER we must arm promptly to ward off the unexpected. Human woes usually come as a result of unexpected events against which we are not forearmed. If we are prepared, they can be prevented.

Line Judgments
FirstSix

If you are sincere, but not to the end, There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.

The situation is this: people desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus they lack a firm center around which to gather. But if expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader.

Small Image

At first order, then disorder: because his will is confused.

At first order then disorder shows confused will.

SecondSix

Letting oneself be drawn Brings good fortune and remains blameless. If one is sincere, It furthers one to bring even a small offering.

In the time of GATHERING TOGETHER, we should make no arbitrary choice of the way. There are secret forces at work, leading together those who belong together. We must yield to this attraction; then we make no mistakes. Where inner relationships exist, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. People understand one another forthwith, just as the Divinity graciously accepts a small offering if it comes from the heart.

Small Image

It leads him to good fortune, no blame: the middle has not changed.

Good fortune without blame shows the middle has not changed.

ThirdSix

Gathering together amid sighs. Nothing that would further. Going is without blame. Slight humiliation.

Often a man feels an urge to unite with others, but the individuals around him have already formed themselves into a group, so that he remains isolated. The whole situation proves untenable. Then he ought to choose the way of progress, resolutely allying himself with a man who stands nearer to the center of the group, and can help him to gain admission to the closed circle. This is not a mistake, even though at first his position as an outsider is somewhat humiliating.

Small Image

Going is without blame: above there is gentleness.

Going without blame shows gentleness above.

FourthNine

Great good fortune. No blame.

This describes a man who gathers people around him in the name of his ruler. Since he is not striving for any special advantages for himself but is working unselfishly to bring about general unity, his work is crowned with success, and everything becomes as it should be.

Small Image

Great good fortune, no blame: his place is the proper one and his task substantial.

Great good fortune shows proper position and substantial task.

FifthNine

If in gathering together one has position, This brings no blame. If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the work, Sublime and enduring perseverance is needed. Then remorse disappears.

When people spontaneously gather around a man, it is only a good. It gives him a certain influence that can be altogether useful. But of course there is also the possibility that many may gather around him not because of a feeling of confidence but merely because of his influential position. This is certainly to be regretted. The only means of dealing with such people is to gain their confidence through steadfastness and intensified, unswerving devotion to duty. In this way secret mistrust will gradually be overcome, and there will be no occasion for regret.

Small Image

He has a position from which he gathers, but his aspirations have not yet been made to shine.

Having a position to gather but aspirations not yet shining.

TopSix

Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears. No blame.

It may happen that an individual would like to ally himself with another, but his good intentions are misunderstood. Then he becomes sad and laments. But this is the right course. For it may cause the other person to come to his senses, so that the alliance that has been sought and so painfully missed is after all achieved.

Small Image

Sighing and lamenting: he is not yet at peace above.

Sighing and lamenting shows not yet at peace above.

Frequently asked questions

What does Ts'ui / Gathering Together mean in the I Ching?

The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the...

How should I study Hexagram 45 on this page?

Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. The situation is this: people desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they wa...

How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?

Gathering means assembling. Compliance and joy, with firmness in the middle and responsive, therefore there is gathering. The king approaches his temple to bring filial offerings. It is favorable to see the great person...

Sources and Method

Primary text: Zhouyi / I Ching, including the Judgment, Image, line texts, and related commentaries.

Translation basis: public-domain and modern study references, with AI used only as a learning aid.

Zhouyi / I Ching primary text: The received text of the Book of Changes, including the Judgment, Image, and line statements.

The I Ching or Book of Changes, Richard Wilhelm / Cary F. Baynes: Princeton University Press translation used as a major English-language reference point for names, structure, and commentary framing.

The Sacred Books of China: The Texts of Confucianism, James Legge: Classical English reference used for comparative reading of source terminology and commentarial tradition.

Continue in app

Gathering means assembling. Compliance and joy, with firmness in the middle and responsive, therefore there is gathering. The king approaches his temple to bring filial offerings. It is favorable to see the great person...

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