Hexagram 13: Tong Ren

Judgment

同人于野，亨。利涉大川，利君子貞。

Thung Zăn (or 'Union of men') appears here (as we find it) in the (remote districts of the) country, indicating progress and success. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream. It will be advantageous to maintain the firm correctness of the superior man.

Gathering people in the open, with nothing hidden and no private clique, goes well. It also calls this a good time to take on something large, and says it pays for a capable person to stay correct.

Image

天與火，同人；君子以類族辨物。

(The trigrams for) heaven and fire form Thung Zăn. The superior man, in accordance with this), distinguishes things according to their kinds and classes.

Line 1 · 初九

同人于門，無咎。

The first line, undivided, (shows the representative of) the union of men just issuing from his gate. There will be no error.

You meet people right at your own front gate, before any private ties or cliques have formed. That is a clean beginning with nothing to fault.

Line 2 · 六二

同人于宗，吝。

The second line, divided, (shows the representative of) the union of men in relation with his kindred. There will be occasion for regret.

Your circle stays inside your own family or clan, which is the narrow kind of fellowship and leaves you with a small regret.

Line 3 · 九三

伏戎于莽，升其高陵，三歲不興。

The third line, undivided, (shows its subject) with his arms hidden in the thick grass, and at the top of a high mound. (But) for three years he makes no demonstration.

You hide troops in the grass and climb a hill to watch, suspicious of everyone, and for three years nothing moves. Mistrust keeps the group from forming.

Line 4 · 九四

乘其庸，弗克攻，吉。

The fourth line, undivided, (shows its subject) mounted on the city wall; but he does not proceed to make the attack (he contemplates). There will be good fortune.

On the city wall, you could attack and you hold back. Stopping yourself and returning to what is right is the sound move.

Line 5 · 九五

同人，先號啕而後笑。大師克相遇。

In the fifth line, undivided, (the representative of) the union of men first wails and cries out, and then laughs. His great host conquers, and he (and the subject of the second line) meet together.

The people who belong together are kept apart, and they cry out at first. After the obstacles are overcome they meet, and the crying turns to laughter.

Line 6 · 上九

同人于郊，無悔。

The topmost line, undivided, (shows the representative of) the union of men in the suburbs. There will be no occasion for repentance.

Your circle reaches out to the open country, far from the center of things. You may not get all the closeness you wanted, and you have nothing to regret.