I Ching Hexagram 12 - P'i / Standstill (Stagnation)
- Above Ch'ien the Creative, Heaven
- Below K'un the Receptive, Earth
Introduction
This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one. Heaven is above, drawing farther and farther away, while the earth below sinks farther into the depths. The creative powers are not in relation. It is a time of standstill and decline. This hexagram is linked with the seventh month (August-September), when the year has passed its zenith and autumnal decay is setting in.
See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.
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Standstill. Evil people do not further The perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.
Judgement Commentary
Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent; the way of superior people is one the decline. But the superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.
The Image
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.
Image Commentary
When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. Therefore the superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances; he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion.
The Lines
Six at the beginning means: When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Perseverance brings good fortune and success.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 25 - Wu Wang / Innocence (The Unexpected). This line is the inverse of the previous hexagrams first line. Here, instead of proceeding into public service with others we retreat from public life in concert with others. When society is run by inferior people the good withdraw so as to not contribute to the bad influences success. The resultant hexagram 25 shows us the outcome of this situation is good for the good and bad for the bad. Legge suggests good fortune and success for those who act with form correctness.
Six in the second place means: They bear and endure; This means good fortune for inferior people. The standstill serves to help the great man to attain success.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 6 - Sung / Conflict. The only thing to do when bad political times arrive is to withdraw from contact and interaction with those responsible for them. The resultant hexagram 6 or conflict does not suggest much of a good outcome here. Legge thinks that success is still possible for the good but as the result is still conflict, how successful can they really be?
Six in the third place means: They bear shame.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 33 - Tun / Retreat. Here the theme of this hexagram culminates in this line. If the evil rule perhaps eventually they will feel guilty and start to return to the good. Legge is slightly different here in that he says "Its subject would vent his evil purpose, but has not strength to do so. He is left therefore to the shame." If this indeed does happen then perhaps we have reason to hope. The resultant hexagram 33 however suggests that this won't happen and that we should retreat from the conflict and await better times.
Nine in the fourth place means: He who acts at the command of the highest remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 20 - Kuan / Contemplation (View). Standstill eventually gives way to movement. Here a leader with good intentions starts the process of overcoming evil forces. Legge says "...its subject acting in accordance with the ordination of Heaven." This shows that the process of overcoming evil must be disinterested and driven by higher goals than mere desire for personal aggrandizement. The resultant hexagram 20 shows that we need to be aware that mere talk is not enough but must be accompanied by action if success is to be achieved.
Nine in the fifth place means: Standstill is giving way good fortune for the great man. 'What if it should fail, what if it should fail?' In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 35 - Chin / Progress. Standstill is ending. The resultant hexagram 35 shows rapid and easy progress in overcoming standstill. This line acts correctly and in full awareness of the dangers around them and so acts in the correct way. Legge's position on this line is simple "...we see him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close." It should be noted here that hexagram 35 does not mention success, it is as if the sun has arisen in the morning, do we claim credit for it?
Nine at the top means: The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune.
Changing only this line creates Hexagram 45 - Ts'ui / Gathering Together (Massing) Standstill is over. The resultant hexagram 45 shows the reestablishment of the correct order of society with evil banished from authority. The warning in this line is that the maintenance of good order is an on-going thing as the one constant in life is change. Legge has a pertinent description for this line "...shows the overthrow and removal of the condition of distress and obstruction".
See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 12 - P'i / Standstill (Stagnation) Translation of this hexagram.