比 → 困
Hexagram 8: Holding Together → Hexagram 47: Oppression
Changing Lines
This transformation involves 2 changing lines (lines 2, 4).
Line 2
六二 比之自內。貞吉。
Six in the second place means: Hold to him inwardly. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Line 4
六四 外比之。貞吉。
Six in the fourth place means: Hold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune.
Trigram Changes
Yilin Verse
虎狼結謀，相聚為保。伺嚙牛羊，道絕不通，傷我商人。
Tiger and wolf conspire together, gathering for mutual protection. They lie in wait to devour cattle and sheep; the road is severed, impassable -- they wound my merchants.
— Jiao Yanshou, Yilin (Forest of Changes), 1st century BCE
Commentary
Water upon earth attracts predators as well as allies. Tigers and wolves conspire together, banding into a pack for mutual protection. They lurk and bite at cattle and sheep, severing the roads entirely, and the merchants who travel them are wounded. The verse inverts Bi's positive valence: alliance is not inherently good. Predators too form bonds, and their solidarity serves only predation. From Holding Together to Oppression, the lake drains its water and leaves emptiness. Kun's image — 'the lake has no water' — mirrors the merchants' plight: the road that should carry commerce is now a killing ground. When the wrong parties hold together, the result is not community but organized predation that oppresses all others.
The Six Lines app includes all 4,096 Yilin verses, each with original ink brush artwork and full commentary. Download on the App Store