Pi (Stagnation) (天地否)
Upper: ☰ Qian (乾) (Heaven) · Lower: ☷ Kun (坤) (Earth)
📊 Binary Architecture & The Six Lines
📜 The Judgment (卦辭 / Guaci)
Stagnation and discord block progress. Retreat inward, preserve noble character, and refrain from reckless initiatives.
🧭 The Image (大象傳 / Da Xiang) & Archetypal Conduct
Heaven and earth do not unite: The image of Standstill. Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth in order to escape difficulties.
📖 The Lines (爻辭 / Yaoci)
- Line 1 初六Bottom line (1st) · Yin拔茅茹以其彙，貞吉。亨。Pulling up ribbon grass, roots and all together with its kind; steadfastness brings good fortune and success.
- Line 2 六二2nd line · Yin包承，小人吉，大人否。亨。Bearing and accommodating: good fortune for the petty person; the great person stands firm in stagnation and attains success.
- Line 3 六三3rd line · Yin包羞。Bearing shame.
- Line 4 九四4th line · Yang有命，無咎，疇離祉。With a mandate, no fault; companions share in the blessing.
- Line 5 九五5th line · Yang休否，大人吉。其亡其亡，繫于包桑。Halting stagnation: good fortune for the great person. "It might fail, it might fail," he thinks, and fastens it to a clump of mulberry.
- Line 6 上九Top line (6th) · Yang傾否，先否後喜。Overturning stagnation: first stagnation, afterward joy.
Original line texts are transcribed from Wikisource (周易). The English renderings are literal working drafts under editorial review and may change.
✨ Practical Discernment & Life Guidance
Conserve inner strength and avoid futile conflicts during this phase of organizational standstill.
Maintain dignified reserve and protect your core integrity against corrupting influences.
Protect principal aggressively, cut non-essential overhead, and prioritize liquidity.