Hexagram 7 · 师 · Shī
The Army
- Element:
- Earth over Water
- Key themes:
- leadership, discipline, organization, conflict, strategy
Image
An army marching in formation, symbolizing discipline, organization, and the need for strong leadership.
Overall message
Hexagram 7 represents the principles of leadership, discipline, and strategy necessary for success in any collective effort. It emphasizes the importance of strong, just leadership, clear organization, and careful planning. Success comes from acting with integrity and focusing on the well-being of the group.
Success in any collective effort requires strong leadership, discipline, and clear strategy. Act with integrity and ensure that your actions are for a just cause. Maintain order and focus on the well-being of the group.
Classical text (Legge, 1882)
Judgment. Sze indicates how, in the case which it supposes, with firmness and correctness, and (a leader of) age and experience, there will be good fortune and no error.
Image. (The trigram representing) the earth and in the midst of it that representing water, form Sze. The superior man, in accordance with this, nourishes and educates the people, and collects (from among them) the multitudes (of the hosts).
From James Legge's translation of the I Ching (Sacred Books of the East, vol. XVI, 1882). Public domain.
The six lines
Line 6 · After the Battle
The conflict is over, but the aftermath requires careful handling.
Focus on rebuilding and ensuring long-term stability. Address any lingering issues.
Line 5 · Victory through Strategy
Success comes through careful planning and strategic action.
Use intelligence and strategy to achieve your goals. Act with precision and foresight.
Line 4 · Retreat and Regroup
When faced with overwhelming odds, retreat and regroup rather than pressing forward.
Recognize when to retreat and conserve your strength. Plan a new strategy.
Line 3 · Mismanagement
Poor leadership or mismanagement leads to failure and chaos.
Avoid arrogance and poor decision-making. Seek advice and act responsibly.
Line 2 · Strong Leadership
Strong and wise leadership is crucial for success. The leader must be just and capable.
Lead with integrity and wisdom. Make decisions that benefit the entire group.
Line 1 · Discipline and Order
The foundation of any successful endeavor is discipline and order.
Establish clear rules and maintain strict discipline. Ensure everyone knows their role.
Related hexagrams
Opposite: If every line of this hexagram were inverted (yang to yin and vice versa), you would have Hexagram 13 · 同人 · Tóng Rén. This is the hexagram's structural counterpart — the situation it could become if every dynamic flipped.
Nuclear: The hexagram hidden inside this one, built from lines 2-3-4 and 3-4-5, is Hexagram 24 · 复 · Fù. The nuclear hexagram describes the inner pattern that produced this situation — what is going on underneath.
If only one line of this hexagram changed in your cast, you would arrive at:
- Line 1 changing → Hexagram 19 · 临 · Lín
- Line 2 changing → Hexagram 2 · 坤 · Kūn
- Line 3 changing → Hexagram 46 · 升 · Shēng
- Line 4 changing → Hexagram 40 · 解 · Xiè
- Line 5 changing → Hexagram 29 · 坎 · Kǎn
- Line 6 changing → Hexagram 4 · 蒙 · Méng