8. Bi | Holding Together
- Line 1 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 2 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 3 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 4 (from bottom): yin (broken)
- Line 5 (from bottom): yang (unbroken)
- Line 6 (from bottom): yin (broken)
比：吉，原筮。元，永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。
Translation: 比 / Holding Together: auspicious，原筮。元，永贞，no blame。unsettled forces are arriving，the one who comes later faces misfortune。.
Reading note: This is the judgment of Bi (Holding Together), 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; “misfortune” marks serious risk.
初六：有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，终来有它吉。
Translation: First Six: there is sincerity，比之，no blame。there is sincerity盈缶，终来有它auspicious。.
Reading note: The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “sincerity” points to trustworthiness and inner confidence; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六二：比之自内，贞吉。
Translation: Second Six: 比之自内，uprightness is auspicious。.
Reading note: The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
六三：比之匪人。
Translation: Third Six: Draft rendering: 比之匪人。.
Reading note: The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.
六四：外比之，贞吉。
Translation: Fourth Six: 外比之，uprightness is auspicious。.
Reading note: The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
九五：显比。王用三驱，失前禽。邑人不诫，吉。
Translation: Fifth Nine: 显比。王用三驱，失前禽。邑人不诫，auspicious。.
Reading note: The fifth line is near the honored position, where influence can be exercised if power remains aligned with what is right. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.
上六：比之无首，凶。
Translation: Top Six: 比之无首，misfortune。.
Reading note: The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “misfortune” marks serious risk.