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I Ching hexagram 13, Tong Ren
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Hexagram 13

Tong Ren

Fellowship

Classical name: Thung Zan

When you receive Hexagram 13, Tong Ren, the I Ching turns your attention to fellowship. Fellowship appears in the open country. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.

The Judgment

Fellowship appears in the open country. Progress and success. It furthers to cross the great stream. Hold to the firm and correct of the centered one.

Classical (Legge)Thung Zan (or 'Union of men') appears here (as we find it) in the (remote districts of the) country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior man.

The Image

Heaven and fire together. Tong Ren. The centered one distinguishes things according to their kinds and classes.

Classical (Legge)(The trigrams for) heaven and fire form Thung Zan. The superior man, in accordance with this, distinguishes things according to their kinds and classes.

The Changing Lines

Nine at the beginning

Fellowship at the gate. No error.

Classical (Legge)(The representative of) the union of men is at the gate. There will be no error.

Six in the second place

Fellowship confined to the clan. There is occasion for regret.

Classical (Legge)(The representative of) the union of men is in the clan (house). There will be occasion for regret.

Nine in the third place

Arms hidden in the thick grass, ascending the high mound. For three years, no action taken.

Classical (Legge)He hides his arms in the thick grass, and ascends the high mound. (But) for three years he makes no demonstration.

Nine in the fourth place

Mounted on the city wall, yet the attack is not made. Good fortune.

Classical (Legge)He is mounted on the city wall; but he will not make the attack (he contemplates). There will be good fortune.

Nine in the fifth place

Fellowship first wails and cries out, then laughs. The great host conquers, and the two meet.

Classical (Legge)(The representative of) the union of men first wails and cries out, and then laughs. His great host conquers, and he (and the subject of the second line) meet together.

Nine at the top

Fellowship in the suburbs. No occasion for regret.

Classical (Legge)(The representative of) the union of men is in the suburbs. There will be no occasion for repentance.

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