Hexagram 16: Enthusiasm

Structure of the sign

The strong line in the fourth place, the place of the leading official, meets with compliance and obedience from all the other, yielding lines. The upper primary trigram, Zhen, has movement as its attribute; the lower, Kun, obedience, devotion. Thus a movement is begun that meets with devotion and therefore acts contagiously, inspiringly. Of great significance, furthermore, is the law of movement along the line of least resistance, which is enunciated in this hexagram as the law for natural processes and human life.

The Judgment

Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers and to set armies marching. The time of Enthusiasm is grounded in the presence of an eminent man who is in touch with the soul of the people and acts in harmony with it. Therefore he finds universal, willing obedience. To awaken enthusiasm, it is therefore necessary to adapt one's ordinances to the nature of those being led. Upon this rule of movement along the line of least resistance rests the inviolability of the laws of nature. They are not something outside of things, but the harmony of movement immanent in things. Therefore the heavenly bodies do not deviate from their orbits, and all natural phenomena occur with steadfast regularity. In a similar manner, things stand in human society. Here too, only those laws can be carried into effect that have their roots in the popular feeling, whereas laws running counter to this feeling arouse only bitterness. Enthusiasm then also makes it possible to install helpers for the execution of tasks, without secret counteractions having to be feared. It is enthusiasm, too, that is capable of unifying mass movements, as in war, so that they attain victory.

The Image

Thunder comes resounding out of the earth: the image of Enthusiasm. Thus the ancient kings made music in order to honor merit, and offered it magnificently to the Supreme God, inviting their ancestors to attend. When thunder, the electrical force, comes rushing forth again out of the earth at the beginning of summer, and the first thunderstorm refreshes nature, a prolonged tension is released. Relief and joy take place. Similarly, music possesses the power to release tension in the heart, the power of dark feelings. The enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself involuntarily in the sound of singing, in dance, and in rhythmic movement of the body. From of old, the inspiring effect of invisible sound, which moves and unites the hearts of men, was felt to be a mystery. The rulers made use of this natural inclination toward music. They elevated and ordered it. Music was considered something grave, sacred; it was meant to purify the feelings of men. It was to praise the virtues of heroes and thus build a bridge to the invisible world. In the temple, one approached God with music and pantomimes (from which the theater later developed). Religious feelings toward the Creator of the world were united with the most sacred human feelings, the feelings of reverence toward ancestors. They were invited to these divine services as guests of the Lord of Heaven and representatives of mankind in those higher realms. In this way, by linking one's own past with the Godhead in solemn moments of religious enthusiasm, the bond between Godhead and humanity was knit. The ruler, who venerated the Godhead in his ancestors, was thereby the Son of Heaven, in whom the heavenly and earthly realms mystically touched. These thoughts are the ultimate and highest summation of Chinese culture. Master Kung himself said of the great sacrifice at which these rites were performed: 'He who could wholly understand this sacrifice could govern the world as if it turned upon his hand.'

The lines