Hexagram 13 of 64
同人
Fellowship with Men
Tóng Rén
Upper Trigram
乾
Heaven
Creative, Strong
Sky · Father
Lower Trigram
離
Fire
Clinging, Brilliant
Fire · Middle Daughter
The Judgment
Fellowship with Men in the open. Success. It furthers to cross the great water. The perseverance of the superior person furthers.
True fellowship is built in the open, not in secret cabals or cliques. When people unite around a genuinely shared vision rather than narrow self-interest, great undertakings become possible.
The Image
Heaven together with fire — the image of Fellowship with Men. Thus the superior person organizes the clans and makes distinctions between things.
Fire rises toward heaven; heaven contains all. Through clear and fair distinctions — understanding each person's nature and role — lasting fellowship is organized.
The Six Lines
Line 1
Fellowship with men at the gate. No blame.
Open, public fellowship from the very start. No hidden agenda, no exclusion — good beginnings.
Line 2
Fellowship with men in the clan. Humiliation.
Fellowship limited to one's own group, with outsiders excluded, is not true union. This narrowness brings eventual shame.
Line 3
One hides weapons in the thicket; one climbs the high hill in front of it. For three years one does not rise up.
Suspicion and secret hostility masquerade as fellowship but produce only stalemate. Mistrust blocks progress.
Line 4
One climbs up on the wall; one cannot attack. Good fortune.
The impulse to conflict is checked by self-awareness. Recognizing one cannot win through force, one draws back. This is good.
Line 5
Men bound in fellowship weep and cry, but afterward they laugh. After great struggles they succeed in meeting.
True fellowship, tested by difficulty and separation, emerges stronger. The bond that survives hardship is real.
Line 6
Fellowship with men in the meadow. No remorse.
Broad, expansive fellowship that does not discriminate between near and far brings no regret, even if deep intimacy is not achieved.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.