Hexagram 11 · ䷊
This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony....
The Receptive, which moves downward, stands above; the Creative, which moves upward, is below. Hence their influences meet and are in harmony, so that all living things bloom and prosper. This hexagram belongs to the first month (February–March), at which time the forces of nature prepare the new spring.
PEACE. The small departs, The great approaches. Good fortune. Success.
This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony. Then peace and blessing descend upon all living things. In the world of man it is a time of social harmony; those in high places show favor to the lowly, and the lowly and inferior in their turn are well disposed toward the highly placed. There is an end to all feuds. Inside, at the center, in the key position, is the light principle; the dark principle is outside. Thus the light has a powerful influence, while the dark is submissive. In this way each receives its due. When the good elements of society occupy a central position and are in control, the evil elements come under their influence and change for the better. When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature also comes under its influence and takes its appropriate place. The individual lines enter the hexagram from below and leave it again at the top. Here the small, weak, and evil elements are about to take their departure, while the great, strong, and good elements are moving up. This brings good fortune and success.
The small departing and great coming indicates the time of Peace. Heaven and earth unite and all things flourish. Above and below share the same will, and the people find rest.
When heaven and earth communicate, everything flourishes. The inner is strong, the outer receptive; the way of the noble person advances while that of the petty person recedes.
Heaven and earth unite: the image of PEACE. Thus the ruler Divides and completes the course of heaven and earth; He furthers and regulates the gifts of heaven and earth, And so aids the people.
Heaven and earth are in contact and combine their influences, producing a time of universal flowering and prosperity. This stream of energy must be regulated by the ruler of men. It is done by a process of division. Thus men divide the uniform flow of time into the seasons, according to the succession of natural phenomena, and mark off infinite space by the points of the compass. In this way nature in its overwhelming profusion of phenomena is bounded and controlled. On the other hand, nature must be furthered in her productiveness. This is done by adjusting the products to the right time and the right place, which increases the natural yield. This controlling and furthering activity of man in his relation to nature is the work on nature that rewards him.
When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.
In times of prosperity every able man called to fill an office draws like-minded people along with him, just as in pulling up ribbon grass one always pulls up a bunch of it, because the stalks are connected by their roots. In such times, when it is possible to extend influence widely, the mind of an able man is set upon going out into life and accomplishing something.
Small Image
When grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it: the will is directed outward.
What belongs together rises together.
Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness, Fording the river with resolution, Not neglecting what is distant, Not regarding one’s companions: Thus one may manage to walk in the middle.
In times of prosperity it is important above all to possess enough greatness of soul to bear with imperfect people. For in the hands of a great master no material is unproductive; he can find use for everything. But this generosity is by no means laxity or weakness. It is during times of prosperity especially that we must always be ready to risk even dangerous undertakings, such as the crossing of a river, if they are necessary. So too we must not neglect what is distant but must attend scrupulously to everything. Factionalism and the dominance of cliques are especially to be avoided. Even if people of like mind come forward together, they ought not to form a faction by holding together for mutual advantage; instead, each man should do his duty. These are four ways in which one can overcome the hidden danger of a gradual slackening that always lurks in any time of peace. And that is how one finds the middle way for action.
Small Image
Bearing with the uncultured in gentleness means acting with broad tolerance and resolve.
Broadness and resolve preserve the middle path.
No plain not followed by a slope. No going not followed by a return. He who remains persevering in danger Is without blame. Do not complain about this truth; Enjoy the good fortune you still possess.
Everything on earth is subject to change. Prosperity is followed by decline: this is the eternal law on earth. Evil can indeed be held in check but not permanently abolished. It always returns. This conviction might induce melancholy, but it should not; it ought only to keep us from falling into illusion when good fortune comes to us. If we continue mindful of the danger, we remain persevering and make no mistakes. As long as a man’s inner nature remains stronger and richer than anything offered by external fortune, as long as he remains inwardly superior to fate, fortune will not desert him.
Small Image
There is no going without return: the turning of heaven and earth follows its course.
Prosperity naturally turns, so one must not become careless.
He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, Together with his neighbor, Guileless and sincere.
In times of mutual confidence, people of high rank come in close contact with the lowly quite simply and without boasting of their wealth. This is not due to the force of circumstances but corresponds with their inmost sentiment. The approach is made quite spontaneously, because it is based on inner conviction.
Small Image
He flutters down without relying on wealth because all are not rich together.
True harmony does not depend on material advantage.
The sovereign I Gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing And supreme good fortune.
The sovereign I is T’ang the Completer. By his decree the imperial princesses, although higher in rank than their husbands, had to obey them like all other wives. Here too we are shown a truly modest union of high and low that brings happiness and blessings.
Small Image
The sovereign maiden's marriage is fulfilled through central action.
Right union comes through central balance.
The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.
The change alluded to in the middle of the hexagram has begun to take place. The wall of the town sinks back into the moat from which it was dug. The hour of doom is at hand. When matters have come to this pass, we should submit to fate and not try to stave it off by violent resistance. The one recourse left us is to hold our own within our intimate circle. Should we persevere in trying to resist the evil in the usual way, our collapse would only be more complete, and humiliation would be the result.
Small Image
The city wall falling into the moat shows that the way has reached its end.
Once the time of peace is spent, coercion only deepens the disgrace.
What does T'ai / Peace mean in the I Ching?
This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony....
How should I study Hexagram 11 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. In times of prosperity every able man called to fill an office draws like-minded people along with him, just as in pulling up ribbon grass one always pulls up a bunch of it, becaus...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
When heaven and earth communicate, everything flourishes. The inner is strong, the outer receptive; the way of the noble person advances while that of the petty person recedes.
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.
i ching hexagram meanings
I Ching Hexagram Meanings: How to Read the 64 Patterns
Understand how I Ching hexagram meanings work, from the overall pattern to the image, line statements, and modern interpretation.
i ching changing lines
How to Read Changing Lines in the I Ching
Learn how changing lines work in the I Ching and how to interpret them without overcomplicating the reading.
how to read i ching
How to Read the I Ching: A Beginner Path from Hexagram to Action
Learn how to read the I Ching step by step, from identifying the hexagram to interpreting line meanings and translating the result into action.