Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 否 (Pǐ) |
| English Name | Standstill / Stagnation |
| Trigrams | Heaven over Earth (乾上坤下) |
| Number | 12 of 64 |
The Text (Yijing Classic)
Judgment (卦辞 Guàcí)
Standstill. Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.
The Image (象辞 Xiàngcí)
Heaven and earth do not unite: the image of Standstill. Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth in order to escape the difficulties. He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.
The Six Lines (爻辞 Yáocí)
| Line | Position | Text | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 初六 | Bottom | When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Perseverance brings good fortune and success. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六二 | 2nd | They bear and endure; this means good fortune for inferior people. The standstill serves to help the great man attain success. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 六三 | 3rd | They bear shame. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九四 | 4th | He who acts at the command of the highest remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing. | Reflect carefully on the situation before acting |
| 九五 | 5th | Standstill is giving way. Good fortune for the great man. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
| 上九 | Top | The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune. | Favorable outcome; stay the course |
Core Meanings
Essence (本质)
- Heaven and earth out of communication; withdraw and preserve inner worth
- Upper trigram Heaven (creative and strong) over lower trigram Earth (receptive and nurturing)
- Embodies the qualities of stagnation, decline, withdrawal and adversity, patience, endurance
Keywords
StagnationDeclineWithdrawalAdversityPatienceEndurance
Divination & Prediction
★☆☆☆☆Inauspicious — Endure and Wait
| Aspect | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Overall | Challenging period requiring patience. Heaven and earth out of communication; withdraw and preserve inner worth Preserve your strength through patience and endurance. |
| Timing | Not the time for bold initiatives. Consolidate and wait. |
| Challenge | The temptation to force progress will backfire. Practice adversity. |
Applications in Life
Business & Career
In business, this hexagram counsels stagnation and decline. The Heaven trigram above suggests creative and strong energy in your outer dealings, while the Earth trigram below points to receptive and nurturing foundations. Retrench and preserve resources until conditions improve.
Health & Wellness
Focus on lungs and head and stomach and digestion. Rest and recovery are priorities. Don't push your body beyond its current capacity.
Relationships
In relationships, embody stagnation and decline. Patience and understanding are needed. Avoid confrontation; focus on maintaining what you have.
Education & Growth
For learning, this hexagram emphasizes withdrawal and adversity. Focus on fundamentals and review. Build a strong foundation before advancing.
Practical Wisdom
Do
- Cultivate stagnation in all your actions
- Practice decline consistently
- Embrace withdrawal as your guiding principle
- Develop adversity through daily practice
Don’t
- Neglect the importance of patience
- Abandon endurance under pressure
- Act impulsively without considering consequences
Comparative Hexagrams
| Hexagram | Relationship |
|---|---|
| 11. Tài (泰) | Peace — opposite; stagnation giving way to harmony |
| 33. Dùn (遁) | Retreat — strategic withdrawal |
| 23. Bō (剥) | Splitting Apart — further deterioration |
Sample Reading Dialogue
Querent: “My career feels completely stuck. Nothing I try is working.”
You received Hexagram 12, Standstill. The judgment says: 'Standstill. Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man. The...' Heaven and earth out of communication; withdraw and preserve inner worth This is a cautionary sign. The current conditions call for patience rather than action. Preserve your resources and wait for the cycle to turn.