Hexagram 20: Contemplation → Hexagram 45: Gathering Together

Contemplation
Wind / Earth
Gathering Together
Lake / Earth
Changing LinesStable Lines

Changing Lines

This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 4, 6).

Line 4

六四 觀國之光。利用賓于王。

guānperceiving
guóa country
zhī...'s
guāngglory
it is worthwhile
yòngand useful
bīnbeing a guest
to
wángits

Six in the fourth place means: Contemplation of the light of the kingdom. It furthers one to exert influence as the guest of a king.

Line 6

上九 觀其生。君子无咎。

guānperceiving
another's
shēnglives
jūna noble
young one
avoids
jiùblame

Nine at the top means: Contemplation of his life. The superior man is without blame.

Trigram Changes

Upper TrigramWind LakeThe Gentle → The Joyous
Lower TrigramEarth Earth

Yilin Verse

望尚阿衡,太宰周公,藩屏湯武,立為侯王。

The old minister supports the young lord, governing from behind the curtain. The state is steady as bedrock; the four quarters come to pay homage.

— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE

Commentary

Wind over earth surveys the architecture of regency. The original verse reads: one looks up to Aheng — Yi Yin, sage minister of Shang — and to the Grand Steward, the Duke of Zhou. These two served as protective screens for Tang and Wu, establishing them as lords and kings. Yi Yin helped King Tang found the Shang dynasty; the Duke of Zhou served as regent for the young King Cheng after King Wu's death, stabilizing the young Zhou state. Lake over earth forms Gathering, which assembles people around legitimate authority. From Contemplation to Gathering, observation identifies the pattern of righteous stewardship: worthy ministers gather the state's forces around the throne, shielding the sovereign until he can stand alone.

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