I Ching Hexagram 11 - T'ai / Peace

• Above K'un the Receptive, Earth
•  
• Below Ch'ien the Creative, Heaven

Introduction

The Receptive, which moves downward, stands above; the Creative, which moves upward, is below. Hence their influences meet and are in harmony, so that all living things bloom and prosper. This hexagram belongs to the first month (February-March), at which time the forces of nature prepare the new spring.

See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.

Judgement

Peace. The small departs, The great approaches. Good fortune. Success.

Judgement Commentary

This hexagram denotes a time in nature when heaven seems to be on earth. Heaven has placed itself beneath the earth, and so their powers unite in deep harmony. Then peace and blessing descend upon all living things. In the world of man it is a time of social harmony; those in high places show favor to the lowly, and the lowly and inferior is an end to all feuds. In side, at the center, in the key position, is the light principle; the dark principle is outside. Thus the light has a powerful influence, while the dark is submissive. In this way each receives its due. When the good elements of society occupy a central position and are in control, the evil elements come under their influence and change for the better. When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature also comes under its influence and takes its appropriate place. The individual lines enter the hexagram from below and leave it again at the top. Here the small, weak, and evil elements are about to take their departure, while the great, strong, and good elements are moving up. This brings good fortune and success.

The Image

Heaven and earth unite: the image of Peace. Thus the ruler divides and completes the course of heaven and earth, and so aids the people.

Image Commentary

Heaven and earth are in contact and combine their influences, producing a time of universal flowering and prosperity. This stream of energy must be regulated by the ruler of men. It is done by a process of division. Thus men divide the uniform flow of time into the seasons, according to the succession of natural phenomena, and mark off infinite space by the points of the compass. In this way nature in its overwhelming profusion of phenomena is bounded and controlled. One the other hand, nature must be furthered in her productiveness. This is done by adjusting the products to the right time and the right place, which increases the natural yield. This controlling and furthering activity of man in his relation to nature is the work on nature that rewards him.

The Lines

Nine at the beginning means: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 46 - Sheng / Pushing Upward or ascending with effort which produces supreme success. This sounds good! This line shows how in peaceful prosperous times, bringing together people with the same goals can lead to great achievements. Those achievements are the result of concerted effort not mere luck. In Legge he says "...all together, and all possessed by the same instinct to advance. Advance ...will be fortunate."

Nine in the second place means: 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.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 36 - Ming I / Darkening of the light shows how the good can be submerged by bad circumstances beyond their control. This line counsels tolerating inferiors but remaining aware of their potential bad influences, when times are good. However this line seems to be saying that even when you do this ultimately they will start to prevail. In the Legge interpretation, good fortune is possible when in such times but the resultant hexagram remains negative.

Nine in the third place means: 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.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 19 - Lin / Approach or short term success followed by misfortune. Here we see that the current pleasant circumstances are bound to change for the worst. It is a normal turn of events and so we should not be too unhappy about it. The way to maintain ones good fortune for as long as possible is to control ones own thoughts and actions as best one can. Legge states "...by firmness and correctness the good estate of the present may be long continued".

Six in the fourth place means: He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth, Together with his neighbor, guileless and sincere.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 34 - Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great. This line is basically a reminder not to be too boastful of one good fortune, as the previous line said, nothing lasts forever. Hexagram 34 explicitly reminds those who posess great power that "...there is a danger that one may rely entirely on one's own power and forget to ask what is right." The correct way too behave when favoured by fortune is also Legge's understanding of this line "...giving them, humbly but readily, all the help in their power.".

Six in the fifth place means: The sovereign I gives his daughter in marriage. And supreme good fortune.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 5 - Hsu / Waiting (Nourishment). Even when one has more economic, intellectual or social power than another, sometimes it is appropriate to accept a lower status post or position. The resultant hexagram 5 is telling us that success is still possible to whoever draws this line. Just don't try to force the issue based on a snobbish attitude. Legge has the stronger willingly and humbly accepting the subordinate role.

Six at the top means: The wall falls back into the moat, use no army now. Make your commands known within your own town. Perseverance brings humiliation.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 26 - Ta Chu / The Taming Power of the Great. Use of force to maintain a state of peace will fail. The resultant hexagram 26 shows us the establishment of a different sort of society to the one described in this hexagram if force is used. The mere fact of trying to defend peace using force destroys what is to be defended. Legge is not positive about this line "...however correct and firm he may be, he will have cause for regret."

See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 11 - T'ai / Peace translation of this hexagram.