泰
TàiUpper: Earth · 坤 · Lower: Heaven · 乾
Judgment小往大来，吉亨。
In plain wordsThe small departs and the great arrives: good fortune and success. Communication between above and below flows, and everything is at ease; it is a time of smooth unfolding.
The imageEarth above, heaven below: heaven's energy rises and earth's energy sinks, so the two meet and exchange, and above and below are open to each other.
A hint for youIn good times stay clear-headed and use the open moment to firm up the basics and treat the people around you well. Smooth conditions also need upkeep, so do not let up.
Line texts (bottom to top)
- 初九拔茅茹以其汇，征吉。The first line, undivided, suggests the idea of grass pulled up, and bringing with it other stalks with whose roots it is connected. Advance (on the part of its subject) will be fortunate.
- 九二包荒。用冯河，不遐遗；朋亡。得尚于中行。The second line, undivided, shows one who can bear with the uncultivated, will cross the Ho without a boat, does not forget the distant, and has no (selfish) friendships. Thus does he prove himself acting in accordance with the course of the due Mean.
- 九三无平不陂，无往不复，艰贞无咎。勿恤其孚，于食有福。The third line, undivided, shows that, while there is no state of peace that is not liable to be disturbed, and no departure (of evil men) so that they shall not return, yet when one is firm and correct, as he realises the distresses that may arise, he will commit no error. There is no occasion for sadness at the certainty (of such recurring changes); and in this mood the happiness (of the present) may be (long) enjoyed.
- 六四翩翩，不富以其邻；不戒以孚。The fourth line, divided, shows its subject fluttering (down);—not relying on his own rich resources, but calling in his neighbours. (They all come) not as having received warning, but in the sincerity (of their hearts).
- 六五帝乙归妹，以祉，元吉。The fifth line, divided, reminds us of (king) Tî-yî's (rule about the) marriage of his younger sister. By such a course there is happiness and there will be great good fortune.
- 上六城复于隍，勿用师，自邑告命，贞吝。The sixth line, divided, shows us the city wall returned into the moat. It is not the time to use the army. (The subject of the line) may, indeed, announce his orders to the people of his own city; but however correct and firm he may be, he will have cause for regret.
Harmony; things flow well
For entertainment and self-reflection only