ChineseStudy

7. Shi | The Army

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English translation

Shi / The Army: For the army position, upright conduct is right; with a worthy elder leadership it is auspicious, and no blame is incurred.

This is the judgment of Shi (The Army), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

First Six: the army goes out under discipline, bad ordermisfortune.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Second Nine: in the midst of the army, auspicious, no blame. the king grants command three times.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Third Six: The army is linked with a funeral cart; this is inauspicious and dangerous.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Fourth Six: the army withdraws to the left, no blame.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.

Fifth Six: there is game in the field, it is beneficial to hold to the command, no blame. the eldest son leads the army, younger men carry corpses, even uprightness faces misfortune.

The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “misfortune” marks serious risk.

Top Six: The great ruler has command to found a state and uphold a family line. Inferior men should not be employed.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

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