ChineseStudy

11. Tai | Peace

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English translation

Tai / Peace: It is a good path of peace: small forces go out, larger ones return. This is favorable and prosperous.

This is the judgment of Tai (Peace), setting the overall situation and guiding principle for the whole hexagram. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

First Nine: Uproot the rushes and take them up together, and then set out; this is fortunate.

The first line is the lowest position, where a situation is just beginning and its strength is still forming. “auspicious” indicates a favorable direction.

Second Nine: Gather and contain what is in the wilderness, then cross the river carefully, leaving nothing forgotten. Even if companions are gone, one may still gain esteem through steady middle conduct.

The second line often suggests a central and emerging position: no longer hidden, but not yet in command. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Third Nine: Nothing stays flat for long, and no movement is without return. The way is difficult, but firm rightness brings no blame. Do not fear losing trust; there is blessing in ordinary living.

The third line stands at the end of the lower trigram, where effort and pressure increase and caution becomes important. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “no blame” means avoiding fault, not necessarily winning great success.

Fourth Six: With light, gliding movement, one cannot rely on neighboring strength. Safety does not come from trust alone.

The fourth line enters the upper trigram and marks a threshold between holding back and advancing. The image should be read as a concrete way of describing the situation before choosing how to act.

Fifth Six: The rite of bringing a bride in marriage brings complete and supreme good fortune.

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.

Top Six: The city wall falls back into the moat; do not deploy an army. If one obeys the command from one’s own place and keeps to correctness, regret results.

The top line is the end of the hexagram's movement, often warning about excess, culmination, or the need to change course. “constancy” means holding to what is correct over time; “regret” or “difficulty” points to trouble caused by an ill-measured action.

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