Hexagram 7: The Army
Organized discipline, leadership
| Chinese | 師 (Shī) |
|---|---|
| Upper trigram | ☷ Earth — The Receptive (Earth) |
| Lower trigram | ☵ Water — The Abysmal (Water) |
| Keywords | discipline, leadership, organization, strength |
| Opposite | Hexagram 13: Fellowship |
| Inverted | Hexagram 8: Holding Together |
What does Hexagram 7 (The Army) mean?
The Army 師 (Shī) is hexagram 7 of the I Ching, formed by Earth (The Receptive) over Water (The Abysmal). Its theme is organized discipline, leadership, with key ideas of discipline, leadership, organization, strength. The Judgment reads: “The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man.”
The Judgment of The Army
The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man.
The Image of The Army
In the middle of the earth is water.
The six changing lines of Hexagram 7
When a casting produces moving lines, their texts speak directly to your situation. Read from the bottom line upward.
Six at the beginning
“An army must set forth in proper order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens.”
Discipline and clear purpose must precede action. A force without direction is a danger to itself.
Nine in the second place
“In the middle of the army — good fortune. No blame. The king bestows a triple decoration.”
The commander who shares hardship with troops earns genuine authority. Virtue in the centre draws recognition.
Six in the third place
“Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune.”
Defeat results when the wrong person leads or authority is undermined. Carrying the dead forward prolongs suffering.
Six in the fourth place
“The army retreats. No blame.”
A tactical withdrawal is not defeat; preserving the force for a better moment is sound judgment.
Six in the fifth place
“There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. Without blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The younger transports corpses. Perseverance brings misfortune.”
Opportunity is real; assign experienced leadership. Sending the inexperienced on critical missions squanders lives.
Six at the top
“The great prince issues commands, founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should not be employed.”
After victory comes the task of building lasting order. Reward the worthy, not flatterers; governance requires virtue.
Will The Army answer your question?
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