師 → 困
Hexagram 7: The Army → Hexagram 47: Oppression
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 4, 5).
Line 4
六四 師左次。无咎。
Six in the fourth place means: The army retreats. No blame.
Line 5
六五 田有禽。利執言。无咎。長子帥師。弟子輿尸。貞凶。
Six in the fifth place means: There is game in the field. It furthers one to catch it. Without blame. Let the eldest lead the army. The younger transports corpses; Then perseverance brings misfortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
天宮列宿，五神所舍。宮闕堅固，君安其居。
The celestial palace, the ranks of stars; dwelling place of the five spirits. Palace and watchtower stand firm; the lord is at peace in his abode.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Water hidden within the earth mirrors the celestial order above, and the verse describes a heavenly palace where constellations are arrayed and five spirits take their places. The palace walls stand firm and strong; the ruler rests secure within. The 'five spirits' likely refer to the five directional gods or the five planets governing cosmic order. The verse projects military security onto a celestial scale: the earthly garrison becomes a starry citadel, impregnable by design. From The Army to Oppression, the lake sits drained above the water in exhausted containment. Yet here the oppression is reframed as fortification — walls that confine also protect. The ruler's confinement is chosen safety, not imposed suffering.
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