Thirteenth Hexagram : The Wisdom of Fellowship

Hello, I Ching enthusiasts! Today, let's delve into the thirteenth hexagram of the I Ching, Tong Ren (同人), which symbolizes 'Fellowship with Men' or 'Gathering Together'. It represents heaven over fire, like flames rising to unite under the sky, emphasizing harmony among people, collective endeavors, and fellowship in open, public ways. The hexagram statement is: "Tong Ren: Fellowship with Men. Fellowship with men in the open. Success. It furthers one to cross the great water. The perseverance of the superior man furthers."

 

The line interpretations in the I Ching can be abstract and hard to remember. So, today, I've woven the six lines into an ancient tale to make them come alive. Read the story to absorb the meanings, and then in the breakdowns, I'll quote relevant parts of the story and add annotations from the I Ching original with sources. This way, you'll easily recall the lessons of each line!

 

불타는 모임, 하늘 아래 유대

 

엣날 옛적에, 드넓은 평원 위로 불타는 석양이 드리워질 때, 여러 부족들이 큰 강을 건너야 할 때가 왔습니다. 홀로서는 너무나 위험한 여정이었기에, 그들은 서로 손을 잡고 함께 나아갈 방법을 찾기 시작했습니다.

 

부족들은 야생의 품에 모여들었습니다. 처음에는 서로를 경계했지만, 곧 함께하는 것의 중요성을 깨달았습니다. 그들의 친교는 겸손하게 시작되었지만, 그 안에는 큰 희망이 담겨 있었습니다.

 

공개적인 만남의 장에서, 부족들은 서로의 이야기를 나누고 공통된 목표를 향해 나아갔습니다. 그들의 교제는 숨김없이 투명하게 형성되었고, 누구도 비난할 수 없는 순수한 단결의 시작이었습니다.

 

하지만 모든 것이 순조롭지만은 않았습니다. 몇몇 부족들 사이에서는 비밀스러운 동맹이 생겨났고, 이는 곧 다른 이들에게 후회와 불신을 안겨주었습니다. 숨겨진 친교는 결국 흔들리기 시작했습니다.

 

마치 높은 벽을 기어오르듯, 그들은 이 난관을 극복하기 위해 필사적으로 노력했습니다. 숨겨진 동맹으로 인한 갈등은 마치 멈출 수 없는 추격처럼 그들을 따라다녔습니다.

 

그러던 어느 날, 모든 부족이 한자리에 모였습니다. 처음에는 불행한 상황이었지만, 솔직함과 개방성이 결국 승리했습니다. 숨김없이 모든 것을 드러내자, 비난은 사라지고 이해가 찾아왔습니다.

 

하늘 아래, 그들의 길은 마침내 교제 안에서 하나로 모였습니다. 인내심을 가지고 서로를 기다려준 덕분에, 부족들은 다시금 굳건한 유대를 형성할 수 있었습니다.

 

이제 큰 강을 건너는 위대한 행동을 취할 때가 왔습니다. 그들의 단결된 힘은 어떤 어려움도 헤쳐나갈 수 있는 용기를 주었습니다.

 

절정에 달했을 때, 그들의 친교는 야생에서의 전투로 변모했습니다. 예상치 못한 장애물들이 나타났지만, 그들은 함께 맞서 싸웠습니다. 목표를 빗나가기도 했지만, 포기하지 않았습니다.

 

결국 그들은 예상치 못한 것을 제압하고 길을 정리했습니다. 인내와 단결은 행운을 가져왔고, 부족들은 마침내 큰 강을 건너 새로운 땅으로 나아갈 수 있었습니다. 하늘 아래 그들의 유대는 영원히 빛났습니다.

Line Interpretations: Wisdom Linked to the Tale

출처 : 위스크AI

First Line (Initial Nine): Fellowship with men at the gate. No blame.

This line advises open, initial fellowship without fault. Matching part in the tale: "At the gate, fellowship formed openly without blame in their public assembly." This symbolizes blameless beginnings in unity. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram first line: "The first NINE, undivided, shows the representative of union with others at (the outer) gate. There will be no error."

Second Line (Six in the Second Place): Fellowship with men in the clan. Humiliation.

This line warns of exclusive, clannish unions leading to shame. Matching part in the tale: "They gathered in the wilds, succeeding in unity, but fellowship in the clan brought no blame as they started modestly." Narrow bonds humiliate. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram second line: "The second SIX, divided, shows the representative of union with others in (the bonds of) his family. There will be occasion for regret."

Image Prompt: "Classic I Ching inspired art in decorative frame style with all text displayed in English, showing clannish fellowship leading to humiliation, representing Tong Ren hexagram second line: exclusive unity, tribal gathering scene with flames, earthy tones with dark yellows for regret."

Third Line (Nine in the Third Place): He hides weapons in the thick grass, And climbs the high hill (in front). But for three years he makes no demonstration.

This line indicates hidden intentions and patient waiting during obstructed fellowship. Matching part in the tale: "But hidden fellowships bred regret, as secretive alliances faltered." Concealment delays action. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram third line: "The third NINE, undivided, shows its subject with his arms hidden in the thick grass, and at the top of a high mound. (But) for three years he does not have recourse to them."

Image Prompt: "Vintage Chinese folklore illustration with golden borders and all text in English, illustrating hidden weapons and climbing a hill without demonstration for three years, embodying Tong Ren hexagram third line: patient concealment, tense plain with mound and fire, muted greens and browns for secrecy."

Fourth Line (Nine in the Fourth Place): He climbs up on his wall; He cannot attack. Good fortune.

This line suggests inability to aggress, turning to good fortune through restraint. Matching part in the tale: "Climbing the wall in pursuit, unable to withdraw, they saw the wagon return full, initially unfortunate but ultimately blameless as openness prevailed." Barriers foster peace. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram fourth line: "The fourth NINE, undivided, shows its subject mounted on the city wall; but he does not proceed to make the attack (he contemplated). There will be good fortune."

Image Prompt: "Ornate ancient poster style depiction with all text in English, portraying climbing a wall unable to attack leading to good fortune, symbolizing Tong Ren hexagram fourth line: restrained pursuit, wall scene under heaven with flames, serene blues and golds for resolution."

Fifth Line (Nine in the Fifth Place): Men bound in fellowship first weep and lament, But afterward they laugh. After great struggles they succeed in meeting.

This line represents initial sorrow in union turning to joy after overcoming obstacles. Matching part in the tale: "Meeting under heaven, their ways converged in fellowship; perseverance brought success, making it favorable to cross the great water and undertake great actions." Struggles lead to convergence. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram fifth line: "The fifth NINE, undivided, shows its subjects as men bound together in closest union. They weep and wail (at first), but afterward they laugh. The great armies succeed in meeting together."

Image Prompt: "Traditional Chinese art with intricate patterns and all text displayed in English, showing fellowship converging after struggles with laughter, representing Tong Ren hexagram fifth line: overcoming for unity, meeting scene with river crossing, vibrant oranges and yellows for joy."

Top Line (Nine at the Top): Fellowship with men in the meadow. No remorse.

This line indicates open, simple fellowship without regret, even in battle-like settings. Matching part in the tale: "At the peak, fellowship turned to battle in the wilds; shooting at a high mound, they missed the mark but subdued the unexpected, leading to good fortune as paths cleared." Wild unity resolves without remorse. Annotation: I Ching Tong Ren hexagram top line: "The topmost NINE, undivided, shows the representative of union with others in (the remote regions of) the suburbs. There will be no occasion for repentance."

Image Prompt: "Dramatic vintage I Ching illustration with bordered frame and all text in English, depicting fellowship in meadow turning to battle but good fortune without remorse, symbolizing Tong Ren hexagram sixth line: open resolution, wild plain scene with mound, dynamic reds fading to calm greens for clearance."

This blog should make the six lines of Tong Ren hexagram feel more approachable! The I Ching is full of life wisdom. Share your thoughts in the comments. See you next time~