䷇ Hexagram 8: Grouping

Judgment

HOLDING TOGETHER brings good fortune. Inquire of the oracle once again whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance; then there is no blame. Those who are uncertain gradually join. Whoever arrive too late meets with misfortune.

Image

On the earth is water: The image of HOLDING TOGETHER. Thus the kings of antiquity Bestowed the different states as fiefs and cultivated friendly relations with their feudal lords.

Description
Hexagram 8 is named 比 (bì), “Grouping”. Other variations include “holding together” and “alliance”. Its inner (lower) trigram is ☷ (坤 kūn) field = (地) earth, and its outer (upper) trigram is ☵ (坎 kǎn) gorge = (水) water.