Hexagram 8 · ䷇

Holding Together

比 · Bǐ

Upper Water 坎Lower Earth 坤

The Judgment · 卦辭

吉。原筮元永貞，无咎。不寧方來，後夫凶。

Pî indicates that (under the conditions which it supposes) there is good fortune. But let (the principal party intended in it) re-examine himself, (as if) by divination, whether his virtue be great, unintermitting, and firm. If it be so, there will be no error. Those who have not rest will then come to him; and with those who are (too) late in coming it will be ill.

The Image · 大象

地上有水，比；先王以建萬國，親諸侯。

(The trigram representing) the earth, and over it (that representing) water, form Pî. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, established the various states and maintained an affectionate relation to their princes.

Plain-English Meaning

A time of coming together. Seek the right connections and commit to them sincerely and in good time.

The Judgment

Union brings good fortune; examine your sincerity, and do not hesitate too long to join.

The Image

Like water upon the earth, build close and caring relationships.

Editorial summary written for this site; not a translation.

The Lines · 爻辭

初六 · Line 1
有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，終來有它，吉。
The first SIX, divided, shows its subject seeking by his sincerity to win the attachment of his object. There will be no error. Let (the breast) be full of sincerity as an earthenware vessel is of its contents, and it will in the end bring other advantages.
象曰：比之初六，有它吉也。
六二 · Line 2
比之自內，貞吉。
In the second SIX, divided, we see the movement towards union and attachment proceeding from the inward (mind). With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
象曰：比之自內，不自失也。
六三 · Line 3
比之匪人。
In the third SIX, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with such as ought not to be associated with.
象曰：比之匪人，不亦傷乎！
六四 · Line 4
外比之，貞吉。
In the fourth SIX, divided, we see its subject seeking for union with the one beyond himself. With firm correctness there will be good fortune.
象曰：外比於賢，以從上也。
九五 · Line 5
顯比。王用三敺，失前禽，邑人不誡，吉。
The fifth NINE, undivided, affords the most illustrious instance of seeking union and attachment. (We seem to see in it) the king urging his pursuit of the game (only) in three directions, and allowing the escape of all the animals before him, while the people of his towns do not warn one another (to prevent it). There will be good fortune.
象曰：顯比之吉，位正中也。舍逆取順，失前禽也。邑人不誡，上使中也。
上六 · Line 6
比之无首，凶。
In the topmost SIX, divided, we see one seeking union and attachment without having taken the first step (to such an end). There will be evil.
象曰：比之无首，无所終也。

English: James Legge (1882), public domain · Text · Image (Appendix II), sacred-texts.com.

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