Hexagram 45
Ts'uiGathering Together
Lake (Dui) · Earth (Kun)
The image
Over the earth, the lake: The image of GATHERING TOGETHER. Thus the superior man renews his weapons In order to meet the unforeseen.
This hexagram in one line
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.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Lake gathers waters
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.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Lake (Dui)
- Lake · Joy
- Earth (Kun)
- Earth · Receptive
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
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 ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
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.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
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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...
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Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.