8. Bi | Holding Together
Text
English translation
Original Chinese text
比：吉，原筮。元，永贞，无咎。不宁方来，后夫凶。
English translation
Bi / Holding Together: This is a fortunate holding together: the divination is to be begun in sincerity. Persistent uprightness brings no blame. If instability comes from the outside, misfortune follows for those who arrive later.
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.
Original Chinese text
初六：有孚，比之，无咎。有孚盈缶，终来有它吉。
English translation
First Six: With sincerity one can form union without blame. Let integrity overflow, and later another good fortune will come.
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.
Original Chinese text
六二：比之自内，贞吉。
English translation
Second Six: holding together from within, uprightness is auspicious.
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.
Original Chinese text
六三：比之匪人。
English translation
Third Six: joining with the wrong people.
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.
Original Chinese text
六四：外比之，贞吉。
English translation
Fourth Six: joining outwardly, uprightness is auspicious.
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.
Original Chinese text
九五：显比。王用三驱，失前禽。邑人不诫，吉。
English translation
Fifth Nine: open union. the king hunts on three sides, letting the game in front escape. the people of the town are not warned, auspicious.
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.
Original Chinese text
上六：比之无首，凶。
English translation
Top Six: seeking union without a proper beginning, misfortune.
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.