Peace
- Upper Trigram
- Earth
- Lower Trigram
- Heaven
The Judgment
Earth above, heaven below — seemingly upside down, yet this is exactly the image of the breath of heaven and earth meeting, of high and low in open exchange: Peace is about flow, ease, and flourishing. Tradition says the small departs and the great approaches — the petty and obstructive leave, the broad and abundant arrive. The tone now is movement and cooperation: communication runs smoothly, resources pass freely, those above and below share one heart, and things come together of their own accord. But the deepest reminder of Peace is not to forget, within good fortune, to prepare for difficulty. No road stays smooth forever; precisely because things flow now, it matters all the more to cherish and to keep that balance and good faith. Can you, while the wind is at your back, root your foundation deeper, so the good season lasts longer?
The Six Lines
First line
Pull up one stalk of grass and its tangled roots come with it — good people and good things often arrive in a company. This line is about like drawing like: when you move in the right direction, kindred spirits are drawn along too. This is a time suited to setting out and gathering good connections widely; one good beginning can lift a whole field.
Second line
The breadth to take in the rough and bear with the lacking, and the nerve to ford the river; not overlooking those far off, nor getting stuck in a small clique. This line is about the generous middle way: broad yet not without measure, forming no self-serving faction, walking the central and upright road — and so winning recognition naturally. Breadth of scope is the most precious asset in good times.
Third line
There is no plain that never turns to a slope, and nothing that goes without also returning. This line asks you to see the cycle: even in ease, prepare for the rise and fall. And even meeting hardship, as long as you keep your integrity and good faith, you remain without fault and enjoy the blessings that are yours. Recognizing impermanence is itself what keeps you steady.
Fourth line
Like birds fluttering down, prosperous yet not boasting of wealth before the neighbor, meeting one another in sincerity without need for guard. This line is about humility within good fortune: with resources and luck in hand, still willing to treat people plainly and share with a true heart. An openness that puts on no airs and keeps no defenses draws good relationships closer amid the flourishing.
Fifth line
Like a noble party willing to bring about a fine union with humility, drawing blessing and ease. This line is about holding a high place yet setting rank aside: true Peace is not sitting far above, but a willingness to stoop and meet others, to help good things come to pass. Foster the good through humility, and the blessing flows back to you.
Top line
The city wall crumbles back into the moat, a sign that Peace has come to its close. This is not the time to use force to claw it back, but to accept the turn openly and settle things well within the range you can hold. This line reminds you: a good season rises and falls, and rather than straining against it, go with the shift, lower your stance, and gather strength for the next stretch.
Reading the Change
Peace is about heaven and earth in exchange, high and low in harmony, a season of ease; from the first line to the top, it moves through good connections gathering, generous balance, watchfulness within security, and accepting the turn with grace. When a line changes, the energy of Peace loosens at one particular stage. A change low down usually asks you to seize a good beginning and take people in widely; a change up top reminds you that ease at its peak is about to turn, and to know how to yield and adjust. Read where the changing line falls, then the resulting hexagram, and you know which way this good season is flowing.