Hexagram 11: Peace
Harmony, prosperity, balance
| Chinese | 泰 (Tài) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☷ Earth — The Receptive (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☰ Heaven — The Creative (Metal) |
| Keywords | peace, harmony, prosperity, balance |
| Opposite | Hexagram 12: Standstill |
| Inverted | Hexagram 12: Standstill |
What does Hexagram 11 (Peace) mean?
Peace 泰 (Tài) is hexagram 11 of the I Ching, formed by Earth (The Receptive) over Heaven (The Creative). Its theme is harmony, prosperity, balance, with key ideas of peace, harmony, prosperity, balance. The Judgment reads: “Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.”
The Judgment of Peace
Peace. The small departs, the great approaches. Good fortune. Success.
The Image of Peace
Heaven and earth unite: the image of Peace.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 11
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Nine at the beginning
“When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.”
Like-minded people rise together in harmonious times. In a season of peace, moving forward with allies is auspicious.
Nine in the second place
“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.”
True balance in prosperity means embracing all without partiality. The middle way requires active, inclusive effort.
Nine in the third place
“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.”
Even in times of peace, cycles of change continue. Accept the inevitable downturn with equanimity and preserve what you can.
Six in the fourth place
“He flutters down — not boasting of his wealth, together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere.”
In times of harmony, the humble who seek genuine connection rather than display find natural community.
Six in the fifth place
“The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. This brings blessing and supreme good fortune.”
A gift freely given from a position of abundance creates the strongest bonds. Generosity at the height of prosperity is auspicious.
Six at the top
“The wall falls back into the moat. Use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.”
The cycle of peace has ended; the defences have collapsed from within. Consolidate internally rather than projecting outward.
Will Peace answer your question?
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