Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 师 (Shī) |
| English Name | The Army / Collective Force |
| Trigrams | Earth over Water (坤上坎下) |
| Number | 7 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without blame.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
In the middle of the earth is water: the image of the Army. Thus the superior man increases his masses by generosity toward the people.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | An army must set forth in proper order. If the order is not good, misfortune threatens. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 九二 | 2nd | In the midst of the army. Good fortune. No blame. The king bestows a triple decoration. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六三 | 3rd | Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon. Misfortune. | Unfavorable; exercise caution and restraint |
| 六四 | 4th | The army retreats. No blame. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 六五 | 5th | There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. No blame. Let the eldest lead the army. | Acceptable situation; no error in this approach |
| 上六 | Top | The great prince issues commands, founds states, vests families with fiefs. Inferior people should not be employed. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Organized collective force under strong leadership
- Upper trigram Earth (receptive and nurturing) over lower trigram Water (deep and flowing)
- Embodies the qualities of discipline, organization, leadership and strategy, unity, authority
Keywords
DisciplineOrganizationLeadershipStrategyUnityAuthority
Divination & Prediction
★★★☆☆Depends on Leadership
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Mixed conditions requiring discernment. Organized collective force under strong leadership Success is possible through leadership and strategy. |
| Timing | Proceed with care, attending to details and timing. |
| Challenge | Balance discipline with organization to navigate the complexity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels discipline and organization. The Earth trigram above suggests receptive and nurturing energy in your outer dealings, while the Water trigram below points to deep and flowing foundations. Proceed carefully, focusing on essentials.
Health & Wellness
Focus on stomach and digestion and kidneys and ears. Moderate, balanced approaches to health serve better than extreme measures now.
Relationships
In relationships, embody discipline and organization. Balance giving and receiving. Listen as much as you speak.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes leadership and strategy. Steady, methodical study brings better results than ambitious leaps.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate discipline in all your actions
- Practice organization consistently
- Embrace leadership as your guiding principle
- Develop strategy through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of unity
- Abandon authority under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 8. Bǐ (比) | Holding Together — unity through alliance |
| 13. Tóng Rén (同人) | Fellowship — cooperation among equals |
| 46. Shēng (升) | Pushing Upward — disciplined advancement |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “Our team is struggling with a major product launch. What should we do?”
You received Hexagram 7, The Army. The judgment says: 'The Army. The army needs perseverance and a strong man. Good fortune without bla...' Organized collective force under strong leadership This is a nuanced sign. Success is possible but requires careful attention to organization and leadership. Proceed thoughtfully rather than boldly.