Hexagram 45: Gathering Together (Cui)

Hexagram

45. Gathering Together · Cui

Structure of the sign

The hexagram is related in form and meaning to the hexagram Bi, Holding Together (No. 8). There water is over the earth; here a lake is over the earth. The lake is the gathering place of water, hence the idea of gathering is expressed here still more strongly than in that hexagram. The same fundamental thought also arises from the fact that here two strong lines in the fourth and fifth places bring about the gathering, whereas there only one line stands in the fifth place in the midst of the weak ones.

The Judgment

Gathering Together. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to see the great man. This brings success. Perseverance furthers. To offer great sacrifices brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. The gathering of people into larger communities is either a natural one, as within the family, or an artificial one, as in the state. The family gathers around the father as its head. The continuation of this gathering is fulfilled through ancestral sacrifices, at which the whole clan assembles. The ancestors are concentrated in their spirit through the gathered devotion of the survivors, so that they do not disperse and dissolve. Where people are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human head as the center of the gathering. In order to be able to gather others, this center of the gathering must first be collected within himself. Only through collected moral force can the world be united. Such great times of unification will then also leave behind great works. That is the meaning of the great sacrifices that are offered. And in the secular realm as well, great works are required in times of gathering.

The Image

The lake is over the earth: the image of Gathering Together. Thus the superior man renews his weapons in order to meet the unforeseen. When water gathers in the lake so that it rises above the earth, an inundation threatens. Against this one must take precautions. In like manner strife easily arises where people gather in great numbers; where goods accumulate, robbery easily occurs. Therefore in times of gathering one must prepare oneself in good time to ward off the unexpected. Suffering on earth comes mostly through unexpected events for which one is not prepared. If one is ready, it can be prevented.

The lines

Line 1

If you are sincere, yet not to the end, then there is now confusion, now gathering. If you call out, then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret nothing. Going forward is without blame. The situation here is that one desires to gather around a leader to whom one looks up. Yet one finds oneself in numerous company by which one lets oneself be influenced, so that one wavers in one's resolve. Thus one has no firm center for a gathering. But if one gives expression to this distress and calls for help, a single grasp of the leader's hand suffices to turn away all distress. Therefore one must not let oneself be misled. To attach oneself to that leader is without question the right course.

Line 2

Letting oneself be drawn brings good fortune and remains without blame. If one is sincere, it furthers one also to bring a small offering. In times of gathering one should not choose one's way arbitrarily. Secret forces are at work bringing together people who belong together. One must yield to this attraction; then one makes no mistake. Where inner bonds exist, no great preparations and formalities are necessary. People understand one another directly, just as the Deity graciously accepts even a small offering if it comes from the heart.

Line 3

Gathering amid sighs. Nothing that would further. Going forward is without blame. Slight humiliation. One often feels the need for connection, yet all others in the vicinity have already joined together with one another, so that one remains isolated. The entire situation proves to be untenable. Here it is needful to turn toward progress, resolving to attach oneself to a man who stands closer to the center of gathering and is able to introduce one into the closed circle. This is no mistake, even if as an outsider one initially occupies a somewhat humiliating position.

Line 4▶ ruling line

Great good fortune! No blame. Here a man is depicted who gathers people around himself in the name of his lord. Because he seeks no special advantages for himself, but works unselfishly for the general unity, his work is crowned with success, and everything turns out well.

Line 5▶ ruling line

If in gathering one has the position, this brings no blame. If some are not yet sincerely in accord, sublime, enduring perseverance is needed, then remorse disappears. If people gather around someone of their own accord, this—when it falls to one unsought—is wholly good. One thereby gains a certain influence that can be thoroughly useful. But with this, naturally, the possibility is also given that some gather who do not come out of inner trust, but merely for the sake of the influential position. This is certainly regrettable. Toward such people there is no other remedy than to win their trust through increased, unwavering devotion to duty and constancy. Thereby secret mistrust is gradually overcome, and the occasion for regret falls away.

Line 6

Lamenting and sighing, tears in streams. No blame. It can happen that one would indeed like to join, but is misjudged in one's good intentions. Then one is sorrowful and laments. Yet this is the right way. For through this it may come about that the other comes to his senses, and one after all finds the sought-after and painfully missed connection.

Below ☷ Earth (Kun)

Direction: SW
Element: Earth
Attributes: Receptive · Yielding · Nourishing · Supporting · Dark
Family: Mother

Above ☱ Lake (Dui)

Direction: W
Element: Lake · Metal
Attributes: Joyous · Cheerful · Open · Contented · Abundant
Family: Youngest Daughter